The Broken Angel & Her Overprotective Brothers-Chapter 332: Duties of a Master

Emily turned to face her opponent, her hands raised, her breath coming in short gasps because of all the training she had been doing for the past two hours.

Compared to her, the man standing in front of her seemed like he was there for a picnic or probably a stroll in the park. While she was covered in sweat from top to bottom, he looked totally refreshed. Her braided hair was a mass of loose curls falling around her face and his hair was perfectly combed.

Her clothes were covered in dirt, grass, or even some leaves that were sticking to them, and he... well, he was wearing very less, to begin with, and even the trouser that he was wearing didn’t have a single speck of dirt on it.

And that smile on his lips... it did things to her, horrible things, making her grit her teeth as she once again pictured tackling that stupid fae and burying him in the ground in a single move, knowing fully well that her imagination won’t be coming to life... not yet.

But imagining such things was giving her the satisfaction and happiness that she was constantly failing to achieve based on her own capabilities. Now, she wasn’t really that bad in physical combat as she had spent years training during her Academy years. However, the difference was that her opponents weren’t students anymore, instead, they were centuries-old fae warriors who had faced real wars and fights.

She and her opponent were standing in the middle of the clearing, facing each other as they waited for the next round of combat to begin. On the other hand, a couple of fae guards, who also trained with her, were standing next to the Fae King who was sitting on the side while enjoying late morning tea and watching her getting beaten up.

"You ready, Sugar?" Her opponent, a royal fae with dirty blonde hair, raven eyes, sharp features, with a tall and muscular build, asked in his usual teasing tone which successfully turned Emily’s mood foul.

"Don’t call me that!" She made another futile attempt to make the fae realize that she didn’t appreciate the nickname, however, it was of no use as her words were barely of any use against the thick-skinned man.

"And I already told you that you have to defeat me at least once to make me stop calling you ’Sugar’." The man responded with his usual smirk plastered on his face.

Having no other option left, Emily just decided to ignore him and spared a quick glance at the Fae King, wondering why he hadn’t already started the next round. That mere diversion of her attention proved to be her biggest mistake as the whistle rang through the air, signaling the start of the new round.

By the time her reflexes kicked it and she turned her attention back to her opponent, his hands were already reaching for her. She tried to sidestep and avoid him but it was already too late. His hands circled her shoulders before she felt her body being pushed and then she was falling.

Thankfully, the harsh impact and the pain didn’t come as she was saved by the same man who just pushed her. He caught her body before she could have landed on the ground and helped her to stand straight.

"You have already started forgetting the main rules of combat, Sugar. Never take your eyes off your enemy." The Royal Fae reminded her before he turned around and walked away toward the direction of the Fae King.

Emily let out a long sigh before her eyes searched for the only person who was there to support her even though he barely interfered with the Fae King’s procedure of training her.

"Come here and rest." Shadow signaled toward the empty seat next to him as he poured a glass of pomegranate juice and handed it to her before moving behind her to wipe off the sweat coating her neck and face.

She felt his fingers sliding through her loose curls and along with them the magic that fixed her loose strands. She turned her face to give him a grateful smile before she continued to sip the juice.

The resting period lasted for around fifteen minutes before it was once again time for Emily to face another few hours of harsh training but this time, she was going to train in elemental powers instead of in physical combat.

******

"So, you haven’t paid them any attention in the past six years." It was not a question but clearly an accusation that the Fae King planted on her.

Emily let out a deep sigh as she corrected, "I just told you that I did train with them sometimes and usually play with them once in a while."

After the long tiring day, she was expecting to be finally able to return to her home and rest. Instead, she was still locked in her office with a very uninvited fae king sitting on the couch opposite hers while he questioned her about her three fox spirits.

"So when was the last time you spent some time with them? Yesterday? Last week? Or maybe last month?" The way he was asking the question made it seem like he somehow already knew the answer.

"It’s been a while." That was all she could say in response because she had nothing better to say in her defense.

"Exactly how long?" The Fae King didn’t give up and pressed further to make her accept tge truth that she had really been neglecting her duties toward her familiars.

"Around two months or maybe more." She finally gave in and just replied honestly.

The Fae King didn’t speak for a while as he observed her in silence. Only after certain long moments had passed did he speak, "They are your familiars, Emily. They need your attention, care, love, guidance, and training. Don’t let them down as their master. Bring them to train with you from tomorrow."