The sky was clear that morning.
I stood at the front entrance of the manor, next to Father and Mother. My hands were behind my back, posture straight. I'd been taught to stand properly during formal greetings, but my heart thudded unevenly. Today was the day my teacher arrived.
Would she be kind? Strict? A prodigy full of wisdom? Or just another spoiled noble girl with a silver spoon stuck so deep she couldn't see past her own nose?
I didn't know what to expect. And that made me uneasy.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the sound of wheels on gravel echoed across the courtyard.
The carriage that came into view was far too fancy for a girl of nine. Lavish, black and gold. Emblazoned with the crest of House Valmonth. Even the horses looked proud.
Then the door opened.
She stepped out gracefully—red-haired, black-eyed, and just about two centimeters taller than me. Her posture screamed confidence, but there was a tomboyish edge to her walk. Sharp, bold. Not delicate like the stories said noble daughters should be.
My heart sank for a second.
But then she turned to Father and Mother, gave a respectful bow, and greeted them with perfect manners. Her voice was smooth, clear, and steady.
"I am Yennefer Valmonth. Daughter of Lord Vincent Valmonth. I will be training Young Master Arile from now on."
She turned to me.
For a moment, she looked down at me like she was sizing up a fruit at a market. Then she bowed with elegance.
"I look forward to our time together, Lord Arile."
I blinked.
Huh? That… was surprisingly decent. No arrogance, no snorting, no sassy eye rolls.
Relieved, I nodded back.
"Welcome."
Father asked about her family.
"Is Lord Vincent in good health?"
She nodded, hands neatly clasped in front of her.
"Both Mother and Father are in perfect condition."
"Excellent. I'll have your room arranged. You're free to use our books and archives at your leisure. But remember, your obligation is to train Arile six hours a day."
"Of course. I'm looking forward to it."
Mother was visibly relaxed. Probably imagining a much rowdier version from the rumors. I was just glad she didn't throw a tantrum or spit on the gravel.
Yennefer turned to me once again, her eyes locking onto mine with more intent this time.
"I'll help you reach Disciple rank quickly. But I won't go easy on you. So be obedient."
"…Understood."
I had my doubts. She was nine. I was five. She was only one rank ahead of where I am. Could she really teach me anything?
Still, I nodded. Maybe she was a genius.
Everyone eventually returned to their duties, leaving the two of us alone in the courtyard.
That's when everything went to hell.
Smack!
Pain flared across the back of my head.
"What—!"
"Let's drop the act, shall we? I don't give a shit about you."
She sneered, hand still raised from the slap.
My eyes widened.
"I'm just here to drain this library dry. I've already devoured everything in Valmonth's archives. Now I want Ludeon's. The books here might be old, but they're unique. A rare collection. Your training is just a small price to pay. I'll probably leave after a few months anyway."
My fists clenched.
"You've got some nerve… acting so prim and proper in front of my parents, only to insult my house behind their backs."
I stepped forward, fire rising in my chest.
"You're just some big-shot brat who thinks the world revolves around her!"
She didn't flinch.
Instead, she grabbed me by the collar and pulled me close.
"Take that back or I'll make sure to burn Ludeon's manor to ashes one day."
My jaw tightened.
"You're a spoiled, sassy piece of work. You don't know a damn thing about struggle. You don't know what it means to earn anything. You think people exist to amuse your curiosity. You've never had to crawl your way up. You don't know what it's like to suffer just to stay alive."
My voice caught at the end. A flicker of my past slipped through my eyes.
She must've seen it, because for half a second, her grip loosened.
I pushed her hand away.
"I'll reach Disciple rank in six months. And you are going to teach me seriously. If I win this bet, you stop acting like the world owes you something."
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"If you lose…"
She took a dramatic pause, eyes gleaming like embers.
"…You walk around the town butt-naked with 'I'm sorry, Miss Yennefer' painted across your chest."
I stared at her.
"You're one nasty bitch."
"And you're going to eat those words."
We stared each other down, heat flaring between us like lightning waiting to strike.
She offered her hand.
"Deal?"
I grabbed it firmly.
"Deal."