Howard nodded his head at the end of Taylor's confession, indicating that he understood why his friend had taken such a sudden yet appropriate decision to start focusing on his studies.

While he did feel annoyed that his baby sister was involved as she was the catalyst for the series of changes Taylor had made to his lifestyle, he was supportive nonetheless.

He knew just how talented Taylor was, both in academics and in swordsmanship.

His friend was passing each class with the bare minimum even without trying and the credit for this went to his innate talent.

Therefore, thinking of how much higher he could climb if he started putting in more effort had ignited the flames of competitiveness in Howard's heart.

Until now, Taylor rarely trained with him, always using the excuse of not caring enough to even try but now that things were different, he could not wait to spar with his best friend in the coming days.

Taylor felt a shiver run down his spine when he caught the sinister-looking grin on Howard's face along with that obsessive glint that had passed through his eyes.

He was fairly sure that he knew what had brought up these scary emotions in him but could do nothing to suppress them again.

After all, if he wanted to progress faster, the best way was to spar with someone on an equal or higher level than him.

Therefore, for once, Taylor was glad that his best friend was a sword junkie as that was exactly what would help him right now.

'He is much better than that monster…' He grimaced while recalling his training sessions for the last few days which had been supervised by his elder brother.

Topher had received permission from their father to oversee Taylor's training now that he had finally taken an interest in the duties that the son of the Tanner family ought to be well-versed in.

The heir proved himself to be a true tyrant when he enforced the gruesome training modules he had prepared for his little brother.

Taylor could not even complain as each time he tried to ask for leniency, Topher would remind him that this was to make up for the time he had wasted in the past.

Using that single rebuttal, his elder brother would silence any opposition to the severe training he was being subjected to twice a day ever since they had begun his training.

While he was lamenting the fate he had brought upon himself, it was Howard's turn to cough in embarrassment for having displayed this unbecoming sight before his best friend.

He had been too excited to learn that he would be able to spar with Taylor as the number of people in his list of potential sparring partners was increasing each day.

He already had Jax and Vonny at home but he hoped to seek permission from his father if he too could spar with their secret guards in the future.

He had seen the young butler's match with one of the guards and that had been nothing but fierce and ruthless.

Jax was still in the learning process so it was a blessing that he had gotten out of that match unscathed.

He would need his father's permission before attempting to do the same but just thinking about it was causing Howard's heartbeat to speed up.

He too wished to learn how to fight, where it was imperative to safeguard one's life rather than to just spar with wooden swords.

However, he did not focus on it any longer and was quick to recover his composure.

Recalling where he was right now and what he had come here to do, he turned to his best friend with a stern glare.

"As much as I understand why you are doing this…

" He began before picking up the scattered books and neatly arranging them on the bedside table.

"You need to get dressed and come down with me.

" He continued and ordered in a firm voice while pointing towards the door that led to the bathroom attached to his room.

Taylor had been watching his actions with a mix of bewilderment and displeasure written all over his face but hearing those words only made him frown.

"I still have a lot to learn!

" He retorted, refusing to obey the orders he had just received.

He had finished his morning training with Topher and now was his study time before he could head to evening training.

Just as his elder brother had reminded him ever so frequently in the last few days, he had to make up for the time that he had wasted in the past.

Therefore, right now, he had no intention of getting dressed and attending a tea party.

If someone had asked him to join them for a tea party just a few days ago then he would have dropped everything else to have a warm cup of tea while admiring the beauty of the garden.

However, things had changed and here he was, rejecting the very thing he loved to do in the past.

Howard tilted his head and scoffed at the defiant look he was gaining from the young boy seated on the bed, still in his blue silk pajamas.

"I suggest that you don't put too much pressure on that brain of yours.

" He muttered without losing his cool and inching closer to him.

In silence, Taylor began leaning away from the boy who was getting closer but was unsuccessful in the end.

"After all, it has been on vacation for so many years now.

" He scoffed as his hands gripped the collar of Taylor's silk shirt, stopping him from moving any further away.

"Ease it into the new workload you have for it…

" He whispered close to his face,

"or it might just give in.

" He concluded his advice before tugging on the collar that was firm in his grasp.

Taylor's body yanked forward at the sudden force and before he knew it, he was off the bed and his feet were now touching the floor.

Stumbling and staggering, he could only flail around as he was mercilessly dragged across the room, in what seemed to be the direction of his bathroom.

"Would you stop it already!?

" He clamored and to his surprise, his best friend had listened and halted just when they had reached the door.

However, before he could gloat at gaining an advantage over him, the other boy had something to say.

"If you are not out in the next ten minutes, dressed and ready to go…

" Howard explained what he expected of him while letting go of the collar that he had used to drag his friend across the room.

He even helped him adjust it, dusting his shoulders as well.

Taylor scoffed as he had no intention of acting according to the commands he was receiving at this moment.

However, soon he would realize just how wrong he was to try and defy the orders he was being given.

"I will be kind enough to inform Vonny that her brother Taylor refused to even look at her face from this day forth,

" Howard announced his plan of action if the other boy continued to ignore his orders any longer.

Panic flashed across Taylor's trembling eyes at the threat he just heard from the one he called his best friend.

He was studying hard and trying his best to make up for the time he had spent whiling away his time.

The effort he was putting in was to ensure that he was worthy enough to stand before and protect the ones he cared about.

Yvonne St. Claire was at the top of that very list so to hear that they might not be able to meet each other due to the vile manipulations of his evil best friend, Taylor was beginning to waver in the decision he had made earlier.

What was the use of working so hard if his relationship with Vonny would be broken?

Just the thought of that happening was making his heart ache.

"If you do not want that to happen, just go and get dressed for the party.

" Howard patted his shoulder while giving him some good-natured advice.

Taylor shrugged his shoulder, avoiding the pat soon enough then glared at his friend one last time before stomping his way into the bathroom.

The wardrobe was attached to his bathroom so there was no reason for him to delay as he had been given just ten minutes before they needed to leave.

Howard rolled his eyes at his friend before taking a seat on the comfortable bed.

He knew he had just blackmailed Taylor about sabotaging his relationship with Yvonne but he felt that it was the right thing to do.

'You need both work and rest, you fool!' He scowled while gazing at the door where he could hear sounds of water splashing around.