Villain Retirement

"I heard you were a professor at Varoif."

"I was, for a few hours, Princess Tifa."

"You are still a professor at the Supreme College of Varoif, Professor Riley."

"Then you are correct, Princess Tifa. I am."

"Hm…"

Tifa's eyes slightly twitched from the tone of Riley's voice. Although he was still addressing her by her title, it was almost as if he didn't really care about her status. She is the King's older sister—if his brother wasn't born and proved himself to be the better fit for the throne, she would have been the ruler of Hel.

Everyone treated her with respect, even Princess Esme, and even the Overlord of the Order of the Grand Militia. So why is this… half-breed that is two ranks below the Overlord seemingly treating her like… he didn't even want to talk to her?

"You do know who I am, right?" Princess Tifa then let out a small breath, "You feel quite young, after all."

"I am already 20 years old, I think," Riley placed his hand on his chin, "It is hard to keep track of all that is happening, Princess Tifa. And I assume that you are Aerith's auntie?"

"You are practically a toddler. I am the King's older sister."

"Yes," Riley nodded, "That makes you Aerith's auntie, Princess Tifa."

"..."

"Would you like me to do something, Your Highness?"

And as Princess Tifa's eyes began twitching, Miryam, Princess Tifa's personal maid, stood up and began approaching Riley.

"No," Princess Tifa, however, once again chuckled as she raised her hand, "Just do what I ordered you to do."

"At once, Your Highness," Miryam then turned to face Princess Esme, bowing her head and doing the Varoif curtsy, "Please, Your Highness. Follow me to your chambers."

"..." Princess Esme did not immediately walk behind Miryam, and instead looked at Riley, "Do you wish for me to stay, Professor Riley?"

"It is fine, Princess Esme," Riley only shook his head as he waved his hand, "I will meet with you later."

"..." Esme just squinted her eyes, before nodding and walking away. As for Zac, he only saluted at Riley before also following behind Miryam.

"Oh, so you treat everyone like that."

And as soon as they were gone, another chuckle whispered in the air as Princess Tifa covered her mouth, "For a second I thought you were trying to offend me, Lord Riley."

"Not at all, Princess Tifa," Riley sighed and shook his head, "I have never in my life tried to offend anyone. But do forgive me for the way I talk, I lack social skills due to my upbringing."

"It is fine, it is fine," Princess Tifa waved her hand and started to walk in the opposite direction where Miryam led Esme, "We are all lacking, one way or another. I lacked the strength to lead, and that made me inadequate to be Hel's ruler. Come, please indulge this old woman with a chat."

"..." Riley watched Princess Tifa walk for a few moments, before proceeding to follow behind her,

"I was under the notion that female themarians are stronger than their male counterparts, Princess Tifa. Aerith, Caitlain'Ur, Princess Esme—they are the strongest themarians I have had the pleasure of meeting so far."

"According to statistics and biology, yes. Women are stronger than men," Princess Tifa's voice started to lower, "I am stronger than the King, but one needs more than strength to rule—to have the ruthlessness to send your own child to eternal death to prove a point to your people? I could never do something like that…

…I would never do something like that."

"..."

"Granted, Aerith has always been a pain ever since she was young," Princess Tifa then let out a very long and deep sigh as her steps slowed down, "She is why Princess Esme is here, correct? To watch her trial."

"...Yes," Riley lightly breathed out.

"Hm. Well, I suppose it doesn't matter as everything is already set," Princess Tifa shook her head, "I am more interested in you, Lord Riley, and what you can offer."

"..."

"One of my daughters, the one whom you've had the displeasure of meeting before."

"Lady Claudyne."

"Yes, her…" Princess Tifa slightly groaned upon hearing her daughter's name, "...Noe has told me of the events that have transpired in the throne hall. And no one has really stood up to her like that before because of her status."

"I only responded the way I deemed necessary, Princess Tifa."

"Yes, you did," Princess Tifa nodded, "Her previous tutors and professors have already given up on teaching her. I am sure you know where I am going with this, Professor Riley."

"No."

"...I want you to teach her, and her peers," Princess Tifa then stopped walking as she turned around to face Riley, "You will, of course, be compensated and rewarded. This is a… royal favor, after all."

"What sort of reward, Princess Tifa?" Riley's ears slightly perked up from hearing Tifa's words.

"Oh, now you're curious?" Princess Tifa once again covered her mouth to quietly laugh, "You can request whatever you want. Of course, it will depend on the results whether I can give it or not."

"I only really need one thing, Princess Tifa," Riley slightly hummed as a small smile slowly crawled on Riley's face,

"I wish for Aerith's hand in marriage."

"Except… that," Princess Tifa slightly stuttered; the strands of grey in her hair, almost sticking out, "She is not my daughter, and she is her own person. Her hand is not mine to give."

"Hm… I have thought of that as well," Riley placed his hand on his chin as he nodded several times, 

"Then perhaps it is possible for you to prevent her execution?"

"The only thing I can do is ask the King," Princess Tifa then cleared her throat as the confident smile returned to her face, "And the King listens to me, sometimes…

…but I can not promise anything."

"Hm…" Riley squinted his eyes as he glanced at Princess Tifa,

"...Are you aware of what type of lecture I teach at Varoif?"

"No," Princess Tifa shook her head, "But you can handle my daughter, and that is enough. We can have a test tomorrow, and we will proceed the day after Aerith's trial if you are as effective as I think you are."

"Very well," Riley nodded,

"I will make sure she will be very proficient at torturing people by the end of all of this."

"...What? I...

...don't think I quite heard you that time."