Hero Or Villaness

"Sis, please..." Carlo said to me as I drew a shaky breath and started to tell him from the beginning.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘺𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺.

"Damn it. I still don't get it. " I said as I reviewed my books in math given by my tutor.

"Crown Princess, don't overwork yourself. Also, it is already late so you should already sleep." Fiona said as she gave me a cup of Chamomile tea.

"Thank you, Fee," I said to my personal maid Fiona, who I nicknamed Fee.

It has been exactly three months since I have been in the palace. During the entire time, I surrounded by countless tutors trying to drill their subjects in my head.

The only thing that changed that a few weeks ago Amaranthos and I started talking a lot this fostering a friendly relationship meaning that every day I shamelessly tease him because his reactions are too cute.

It is already so obvious that he really is a diamond-spooned child.

"I think you're right, Fee. I should probably go to sleep right now." I said to Fee, who was shocked by my submissiveness.

"Well, I guess I should already prepare your bed but before that P-princess." Fee said as she called my name nervously.

"What is it now Fee?" I said noticing her ears turning oddly red.

"I-is it true that when I was having a day off the C-crown Prince Amaranthos v-visited you last night?" Fee asked as I started to immediately feel hot all over.

"F-fee don't misunderstand i-it isn't what you are thinking!!!" I said standing up feeling extremely embarrassed knowing what was Fee's thoughts.

"Then what did the other maids reported mean when they hear you two scream a lot?" Fee asked making me blush even more.

"F-fee I-"

"Arista, are you still awake?" A voice knocked on the door, interrupting what I was about to say.

"A-amaranthos" I stuttered as Fee gasped.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Fee's mouth dropped.

Damn it... of all times.

"If you don't mind I am entering your room," Amaranthos said.

Fee started to panic a bit as I tried to cool down my face. When Amaranthos came inside the room, he said "Well the room certainly looks brighter than last night. "

"Amaranthos!!!" I shouted in embarrassment making him surprised.

"I-i will be going!" Fee said and hurriedly went out of the room, closing the door with a big thud.

"A-arista what-" Amaranthos said while I covered my face.

The room became dead silent until I heard Amaranthos snapped his fingers.

Suddenly I started to hear footsteps come near me indicating Amaranthos knowing what was going on.

"Don't you dare come near me right now Amaranthos!" I shouted as I backed away yet I heard the footsteps come nearer.

"Well sorry, Arista I don't want to. " Amaranthos said, teasing me for once while laughing a bit to tell me he enjoys the roles being in reverse. "But I wonder what did you two talk about for you to be this embarrassed? I wonder is it about what we did last night?"

"Amaranthos! Don't make it sound so-"

"Ehhh??? Are you regretting what we did together because for me I had a wonderful time." Amaranthos whispered in a low husky voice as I bumped into a wall.

"S-stop it..." I said as I felt Amaranthos hot breath near my ear whispering "This is what you get for always teasing me, my little lovely sweet woman."

With that, I felt my heart was going to explode but then I heard Amaranthos laugh and I clenched my fists.

"Hey! That wasn't funny!" I said as I started slapping him yet he continued to laugh even louder.

"Geez, I am sorry so stop slapping me!" Amaranthos said as he wiped a tear. "But I am not lying I had fun- ow! I was about to say I had fun playing cards with you! And also beating you! And for other things too-"

"Ow! Ow! I get it! Sheeeshh! " Amaranthos yelped.

"Now explain why are you here at this late hour again because the whole palace will misunderstand again. " I said.

With that, Amaranthos playful tone vanished into thin air replacing it with a serious one. Making him like a different person suddenly.

"I came here to have a deal with you, Arista."

"A deal?" I said feeling flabbergasted.

"Yes, a deal," Amaranthos said repeating what I said. "A deal about our overall relationship."

"And?" I said urging him to continue.

"Well, you already can see we have fostered a good relationship to the point we can joke around so I want the public to see that not privately only. " Amaranthos said, making me surprised.

"Meaning you want us to be very intimate in public but we will only remain as good business partners. Is that what you are trying to say, Amaranthos?" I said while Amaranthos nodded saying "You sure are quick to comprehend these things easily, Arista yet nevertheless you are right because we both know that we only want to remain as close friends and not lovers for we don't harbor any romantic feelings for one another. "

"Agreed," I said. "Now since we both know that fact shall and know what is my answer how about we start making some conditions for one another for we are going to marry in seven months' time. You first. "

Amaranthos nodded and said, "Even though we will only remain as close friends we shall not have any lovers to keep peace and avoid any conflicts."

"I agree on that so for me is also simple it is: Respect each other's personal boundaries and be understanding and mindful of what the other is thinking. That is about it, now Amaranthos do you want to add anything more?"

"Yes, and it is- We will share the same room to make the servants spread and convince them, even more, we have a good relationship also because we will not have any lovers is a good chance in creating an heir too," Amaranthos said as I felt myself become even hotter than before while he coughed in embarrassment by his bluntness.

"D-deal?" Amaranthos said nervously and I saw his ears turning pink as he stretched out his hand.

"Deal," I said shaking his hand while looking at his beautiful purple-blue eyes.

The next day when I was wandering through the halls I felt the piercing stares of all the people around me.

Every time they already past by me they would say:

"Did you hear they already-"

"My gosh-"

"I never knew his highness is so-"

"They said they heard them throughout the whole-"

I tried to ignore what they said but still, my heart started to beat like crazy.

Ahh... I can't do this anymore.

When I was about to sit down on the floor in frustration, I heard the clashes of swords from afar.

To think about I have never gone to check out the training halls of the soldiers.

So with that, I followed the sound of the swords.

When I reach the training halls, my eyes started to water. "I am blessed, I am truly blessed," I whispered to myself as I saw the beautiful sight of shirtless soldiers running around.

"This is Euphoria!" I said loudly then I immediately covered my mouth but it was too late.

The beautiful shirtless soldiers all looked at me and I just said "Pay no mind to me, I am just a mere passerby you mag all continue with your training."

"Crown Princess is an honor." An old man said, who was my favorite tutor out of all my tutors- Helmer Tramontin. The so-called monster-general.

"Old man," I said in surprise. "What are you doing- oh. Wait I am so stupid of course you would be in the training halls."

"Yes, I would be Princess," Helmer said, laughing a bit. "But still I wonder what brings you here, princess?"

"Ahhh... that," I said. "I was just passing by and-"

"Princess the training hall is at the end of the palace," Helmed said.

"I- ahhh. You got me, old man. Okay, I will tell you the truth. I came here because I was curious. " I said confessing everything.

"I see, we'll then shall I prepare some-"

"No! No! Don't. I came here to just watch the soldiers train so just continue like always because I will be just sitting here." I said, trying hard not to accept his invitation.

"Alright, if that what Princess wants," Helmer said.

"But may I ask, they all seem like not the other soldiers I have seen with you before. Are they beginners?" I asked while I saw Helmer nodded.

"Yes, they are beginners because I live by the philosophy that if you want to master the sword you should master the basic first so to make a great army I need to deal with these punies first," Helmer said.

"Because you should make a solid foundation made out of stone not sand," I said, quoting the great warrior king Alexander making Helmer smile a bit but suddenly he hid the smile saying "It was a nice chat but I should continue the training because we are already behind the schedule. Now, Soldiers what are staring at! Continue training!"

"Aggressive as always," I said making him chuckle as he walked away while shouting.

So for the next hour, I watched them intently. Analyzing their movements.

"Wrong!" Helmer suddenly boomed. "It is the basics of the basics! Even a beginner can do it!"

"But sir! The move is too difficult! " The soldiers said opposing Helmer.

From afar I could Helmer's veins pop out as I said "Oh no..."

"You will just apply the basic stance so you counter it by instead of aiming the opponent's body you aim for their blade!" Helmer shouted as the soldiers just started scratching their necks.

"I promise you. You are the most pathetic class I had." Helmer said.

I watched from afar and I couldn't help but agree with Helmer.

The move that he was teaching was I guess easy.

"Sorry to interrupt but old man can I try the move?" I said making all of them turn on me and I heard the other soldiers started to whisper.

"Excuse me, have you forgotten about Empress Khaalida? The first female ruler in history who is rumored to be as mighty with the soldier like her father Alexander. Who also implemented women's rights in the Empire? " I said making them shut up.

"Well, good point because I think these ignorant men never even knew that 20% of the soldiers are women," Helmer said. "And all of them are more disciplined and stronger than them. Okay, then Princess do you want me to explain again?"

"No need, I listened to your explanation earlier already so no need," I said.

"Good. Now catch Princess." Helmer said giving me a sword.

"Does it feel alright?" Helmer said as I caught the swords.

"No, it is far too light," I said making Helmer surprised.

"Well, how about these," Helmer said pointing at all the soldier's swords.

"No this is fine for now," I said trying to ready my stance.

"Wait, Princess make your shoulders like this..." Helmer corrected me while he made me stand straighter. "Remember princess this is not etiquette class but it is okayish enough for a rookie. Well then, ready Princess?"

"Ready as I will ever be," I said feeling oddly confident.

Suddenly Helmer thrust his sword forward, I immediately backed away.

I then put my sword forward aiming to what it seems like to put down his sword yet in one swift move I reorient the tip of my sword and thrusting it toward Helmer.

I locked eyes with Helmer and saw him smile a bit. I then took that as a single I have done well and retracted my sword and looked around me seeing the pale face of the soldiers.

"Now, that's how you do it!" Helmer shouted while glaring down at all of the soldiers then immediately turning to me saying "Do you want to continue training, Princess?"

"Just in case if anything happens to you. If ever not trying to doubt my soldiers but if the worst happens you would be able to defend yourself. Plus I could see your potential!" Helmer said and I saw the sparkle in eyes.

"I was going to say yes so you don't need to ramble endless old man, " I said making Helmer very happy.

"Just remember I will treat you equally like the others so be warned. You shall start-"

"Now," I said, feeling weirdly eager.

"Okay then after you change in the female quarters that is just right over there," Helmer said, looking a bit proud.

I then turn around to change my clothes while I heard Helmer scream again. "See! You pathetic fools! Now again!"

I heard the soldiers groan while I laughed a bit and I entered the room to change.

What I didn't know that it was the start of me becoming what they know today-

The Mysterious Black General.