Reborn After Betrayal: The Frail True Princess Decides to Give Up

Chapter 230 : He Must Be Disappointed

"This is called 'Bloody Earl'—that's exactly how it should taste."Erwin laughed heartily and took the glass back. "Children just don't know how to appreciate it!"

Swirling the cocktail and enjoying it with the remaining food and sunlight from the window, Erwin chatted casually:

"By the way, Shanie, I heard you went to that new academy in Cassia? How was it? You didn't embarrass your teacher, did you?"

Shanie proudly lifted her chin: "Of course not!"

"Oh?" Erwin didn't quite believe it. "Did you pass all your exams?"

"Well—"

Just the second question stumped Shanie, making her scratch her head and quickly change the subject:

"What's fun about school and exams? Teacher, why don't you tell us about the interesting things you encountered outside?"

"Didn't pass, right? How did I end up with such a dummy for a disciple?"

Erwin wouldn't let her lead him by the nose, glaring at Shanie with a mix of anger and amusement. "Don't say you're my student when you go out!"

"But you never taught me those things they teach at school," Shanie muttered quietly. "I had to learn everything myself."

Their casual conversation blended with the birdsong outside the window, echoing each other like countless vibrant mornings in memory.

Celitia slowly lowered her eyes.

So nostalgic.

However, the past days were gone, like clouds that had drifted away—no matter what, they could never be traced back.

What should be let go must be let go.

This was true for Teacher, and for herself as well.

After finishing the entire glass of "Bloody Earl," Erwin put down the glass, his face showing a slight flush as he became mildly intoxicated.

"Haven't exercised in a long time. Shanie, spar with me and let me see if you've made any progress over these months."

Shanie excitedly stood up: "Great! I was just hoping to learn from Teacher!"

Erwin asked Celitia: "Girl, why don't you join the training too?"

"Sorry, Mr. Erwin," Celitia shook her head silently. "My physical condition has never been good, and I don't know martial arts at all."

"Haha, is that so? No problem!"

Erwin patted Celitia's shoulder and laughed heartily.

"Then if anything happens in the future, just hide behind Shanie and let her handle it!"

Celitia was stunned: "This..."

But Shanie firmly patted her chest: "Of course! I'll protect Lily well!"

"Good!" Erwin was even happier, patting Shanie's back too. "Now that's a good disciple I taught!"

Teacher and disciple each took a wooden sword and went to practice in the courtyard outside.

Celitia stood under a nearby tree, watching the two exchange moves, neither giving quarter.

The wooden swords drew trajectories in the air, their agile movements and interlaced steps matching the scenes in her memory one by one.

Only the person sparring with Erwin had changed.

This was good.

Teacher wasn't lonely—Shanie was there to accompany him.

This was enough.

Suddenly, perhaps due to some error, Calvin's grip on the sword was unsteady, and the wooden sword actually slipped from his hand, flying toward Celitia's direction.

Celitia watched helplessly as the wooden sword shot straight toward her face.

Her heart beat rapidly, her body instinctively tensed, about to respond.

Though she lacked strength, her basic reaction ability remained.

She could certainly dodge—she just needed to immediately adjust her footing and twist her body slightly to avoid this wooden sword.

However, Celitia forcibly controlled her instinctive reaction.

She closed her eyes and let out a scream: "Ah!"

The wooden sword flew past Celitia's cheek, lifting a strand of light ash-blond hair, and embedded itself straight into the tree trunk behind her.

"Wow? Lily?!"

Shanie screamed in fright, dropped her wooden sword, and rushed toward Celitia.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere??"

Celitia didn't answer immediately.

She looked up at Erwin, who was still standing in place.

The white-haired old man's face showed faint sadness that he hadn't had time to hide.

So Teacher was indeed testing her?

Now he must be disappointed.

Celitia's mood became extremely complex.

"Sorry, sorry!"

Erwin walked over, repeatedly apologizing to Celitia, his sad expression already hidden, replaced by guilt.

"Getting old, hands aren't steady, and I had some wine, so I was a bit unsteady... Did I frighten you just now?"

Celitia deliberately put on a shocked expression: "I was really scared to death... I thought I was done for..."

"Teacher, you can't let your hand slip again!"

Shanie was truly angry. "Otherwise, I'll steal all your wine and make sure you can't drink for at least a month!"

"Ah, that's too cruel," Erwin's face immediately wrinkled like a bitter melon. "You can't do that, good disciple!"

Shanie said angrily: "That's because Teacher did something bad!"

"Alright, alright, I was really wrong—I deserve to be punished."

Erwin walked to the tree trunk and pulled out the wooden sword. "Since I'm not in good condition, let's stop practicing and rest for a while."

Taking Shanie's wooden sword as well, Erwin said to the two:

"You two have also accompanied this old man for quite a while. I'll rest some more—you go play elsewhere."

Shanie asked worriedly: "Are you really okay?"

"What could be wrong?" Erwin waved his hand. "I've eaten well, had some wine, and exercised—perfect for lying in the wicker chair and enjoying a beautiful morning."

"Alright, rest some more. We'll leave first."

Shanie took Celitia's hand. "Let's go back. When we have time, we'll come visit Teacher again."

Celitia nodded: "Then we'll take our leave, Mr. Erwin."

"Go on, go on," Erwin walked toward the house. "I won't see you off."

Celitia and Shanie turned to leave, but before they had taken two steps, they suddenly heard a dull "thud" from behind.

Shanie whipped around, saw the situation ahead, and was so frightened her voice nearly cracked:

"Teacher?!"

Erwin had collapsed at the wooden house entrance, his body convulsed once, then went still.

Celitia reacted even faster than Shanie, immediately rushing to Erwin's side and forcefully turning his body over.

Erwin's eyes were tightly closed, his face pale, his right hand pressed to his chest, having lost consciousness.

Celitia checked his nasal breathing and indeed felt it gradually weakening.

Teacher's heart wasn't in great condition—had he suddenly had an episode?

Or was he feigning illness to test her once again?