Perhaps because it was about to rain, the air was very dull, making people feel a little depressed when they breathed. Everything between the sky and the earth was dyed with a halo of half-light, just like the girl's mood at the moment.
When the carriage sped to the door of the apartment in the suburbs, Agnes got out of the carriage, and then quietly looked up at the familiar building in front of her.
This is where her master, Ms. Bianca, stays temporarily every time she comes to Paris.
Since returning to Paris from Switzerland, Agnes, who had kept her promise in mind, has been unable to find her master's whereabouts. She felt a little lucky in her heart, and even vaguely hoped that her master would never be heard from again and live peacefully in a place that she could not touch.
However, reality can always shatter her expectations. Yesterday, she received a letter from her master. Bianca said that she would return to her apartment today.
Ever since she started training, her master had been living a wandering life. He would only give her a message asking her to meet him every time he came to Paris. She was used to this rhythm.
In the past, every time she came here, she would smile from the bottom of her heart. After seeing the master, she would say hello, joke, and spend a happy time; but now, she no longer had that smile on her face.
A cheerful smile and a frown on his face, as if he had been cursed.
If there is a curse, it should be the curse of reality. The heavy reality, the unpredictable and ulterior motives of people's hearts made this girl fall into a trap like a quagmire. Even if she wanted to break away, she could not escape because of
The fetters of family ties have to be endured secretly, and there is no way to escape.
When she comes to see her master today, what she brings will definitely not be joy.
Then she walked along a familiar route to the door of the room, then took out her key and opened the door.
Sure enough, as she expected, through the empty living room, she saw the master standing on the balcony looking at the dark cloud-covered sky in the distance.
After hearing the sound of the door, Bianca turned around and looked at her apprentice with a half-smile.
At this time, Agnes also looked at her master.
The last time the two met, it was at a ball in the palace. At that time, the master was dressed like a graceful lady, but he could not conceal his frail look after being injured. Today, Bianca, although her clothes are back to normal
Although he was simple, he looked neat and capable, his eyes were bright and clear, and he seemed to have recovered from his injury.
Great... Agnes thought to herself.
If there is a duel, she also hopes to do it with a master who is not affected by any physical factors.
"Long time no see, Agnes, how are you doing?"
"Long time no see, madam." Agnes curtsied to her first, and then took steps to approach the master.
As the two people got closer, Bianca keenly noticed that her apprentice's expression was different from the past.
"Why, Agnes, what happened recently? You don't seem to be in a good mood."
"Yes, I encountered a lot of things, many things that I couldn't cope with..." Agnes replied with a wry smile.
"Ah, it's not like you to speak so weakly." Bianca shook her head, seemingly disapproving, "When people grow up, they always have to face a lot of troubles. What is there to be afraid of? Have the courage to go forward and get through it.
That's all. Isn't the sword I gave you just for cutting through thorns?"
"You are right..." Agnes nodded slightly.
Then, as if she had made up her mind, she looked up at the master again, "Master, can you answer me one thing? I hope you will tell the truth."
"What's the matter?" Bianca became more and more curious.
"The last time I saw you, were you injured because of the assassination of the King of Rome?" Agnes summoned the courage to ask.
Bianca's expression suddenly froze.
Then, her eyes suddenly sharpened, and even though she didn't make any movement, the tension that could break out at any time quickly emerged from her body.
"What do you know?" Then she asked word by word.
"So you didn't deny it?" Agnes asked back.
"You've already asked that, what else do I need to deny?!" Bianca replied impatiently, "Tell me, who told you-"
Then, as if she thought of something, her eyes lit up, "Yes... you know the King of Rome, do you have a relationship? No wonder he said he knew you! I should have thought of it earlier..."
The sense of ease that the master and apprentice had when they first met was swept away, and they quietly confronted each other.
After an unknown length of silence, Bianca spoke again, "Then what do you want to do when you come to me today?"
"I...I..." A feeling of anger filled Agnes's heart, and she didn't know how to answer.
However, soon, the breath burst out from her belly, and she shouted loudly to her master, "I want to challenge you! It's not the kind of competition, but a challenge. The loser must let the winner
Deal with it, I ask you to challenge!"
"Ha! Look, what a traitor! This is her reward for me!?"
Bianca was instantly furious. Her temper was already very bad, but now it was even more frightening. Her gaze seemed to pierce through someone.
She has been wandering all her life, and her family members have all passed away one after another. Now she is alone. The only person who can still be regarded as "family" is Agnes, whom she has seen since she was a child. This apprentice can also be considered a success and a legacy.
Her art career can also be regarded as the comfort of her life.
But one day, this disciple whom he had known since childhood suddenly came over and wanted to challenge him just to vent his anger on others? Even a person would probably be furious.
"The Romance of Fairy Wood"
If it were her in the past, she would have been unable to hold back any longer. She would have drawn out her sword and killed the traitor on the spot. Finally, the relationship they had been together for many years prevented her from being impulsive.
After a moment, Bianca sneered again, "You want to challenge me? That's a good thing, I'm quite happy with it. But what are you doing this for? To please him? Is this why you challenge me?"
This question made Agnes's momentum weaken a lot.
After all, no matter how she excuses herself, it is an obvious fact that she wanted to please the King of Rome for the sake of her family, even to the point of wielding a sword against her master. She cannot and does not bother to deny it.
"What? I was right, is it really a young girl who's in love with youth?" Seeing her apprentice's performance, Bianca believed it even more and sneered, "That guy is really oily and pink, and he can deceive an ignorant person like you.
Girl. But don’t forget, the promiscuous prince and son-in-law will not be devoted to one person. As far as I know, hasn’t he been married long ago? And when I assassinated him over there, there was a woman beside him... Iger
Niss, you risked your life and risked your life to challenge the master, just to flatter and gain favor, in exchange for a chance to become the lover of countless lovers? It’s really humble and ridiculous..."
The master's words became more and more unpleasant, and the humiliation made Agnes blush, until finally, she could no longer listen.
"Please shut up!" She shouted loudly to the master, "I have my reasons, it's not what you think..."
"What's that like?" Bianca interrupted. "What other ridiculous excuse can you come up with?"
"I am saving you!" Agnes replied, "You should know that he is powerful. Since he has assassinated him, he must have a grudge and will seek revenge from you at any time. I have already made an agreement with him, as long as I defeat him
Then bring you to him, and he can spare your life, otherwise... you will be in danger of your life at any time!"
Although Agnes's words made some sense, Bianca, who was in a rage, would naturally not accept it.
Besides, she was very proud and didn't think she needed anyone to save her life.
"Why, do you really think he is the emperor? He was lucky enough to escape last time. Next time I find a chance, I will kill him with one sword and let him roll in with his dream of being an emperor.
Get in the coffin!" Bianca laughed disdainfully, "If you expect that you can use such lame excuses to make me forgive you, then you are totally wrong, Agnes."
"I never expected you to forgive me..." Agnes smiled bitterly, with tears in her eyes, "But I'm sorry, I have to do this."
"Don't you really understand the price you have to pay? Once I take action, I will not show mercy." Bianca said coldly, "Agnes, I will give you one last chance. Remember the past."
Qingfen, go back home now, I can pretend that nothing happened just now, you know my temper, you are the first and only person who can tolerate me to this extent."
"I just hope you will be merciless, so that I will feel the most glorious!" Agnes did not take a step back, but looked at her teacher proudly, "Don't persuade me anymore, just like I will never persuade you again.
, if I am determined to do something, I will do it to the end...so, I implore you to accept the challenge."
Looking at Agnes' eyes, Bianca knew that she was probably ready to die by her own hands.
She knew her apprentice's skills, and it was destined to be a fierce battle, and she was not completely sure that she could win - even if she won, she would probably have to pay a price.
Is this really necessary? Bianca asked herself.
For a moment, she suddenly felt a little regretful. If she hadn't accepted the assassination mission due to her past friendship, she wouldn't have gotten into a situation where master and apprentice drew swords against each other.
But it was meaningless to regret it at this point. Facing the awe-inspiring girl, the remaining compassion in Bianca's heart was gradually overshadowed by the pride in her bones.
Since you have chosen to challenge me, I will help you.
"Okay, then I will fulfill your wish." So, she nodded slowly.
Before Agnes could speak, she immediately added, "However, I have a condition."
"What conditions?" Agnes asked quickly.
"Give me the dew," Bianca replied decisively.
"Huh?" Agnes was a little confused. She didn't understand why the master suddenly mentioned her niece, "Xia Lu... what does this have to do with her?"
"Of course it does matter." Bianca said matter-of-factly, "I went to your sister's house to see her before. She is very cute. She will be very beautiful when she grows up, maybe even prettier than you, and her body is flexible.
Not bad, she looks suitable to be my apprentice. If you lose, give her to me."
Only then did Agnes realize that the master wanted to make Xia Lu her apprentice after her challenge was over.
"There are many children who meet these conditions, why... why Xia Lu?" Agnes was so angry that she almost started fighting with the master immediately, "Are you deliberately irritating me?"
"Annoy you? You are thinking too much." Bianca retorted, "Isn't it obvious? I have had you as my apprentice all my life. If you die by my sword, I will have to find another apprentice.
But my apprentice cannot be ugly or disgrace me; and I am already old now. I can’t wait long if I want to train a disciple properly. Since I have a ready-made partner, why should I continue to take my time?
Looking for it? Since I have already fallen in love with Xia Lu, I can get it once and for all, why bother to abandon the near and seek the far away."
At this point, she glared at Agnes fiercely, "I will train her carefully and won't let her be worse than you. When she grows up and I am old, it will be time to retire.
, it will never happen again that traitors draw their swords against me..."
When the master said, "I am already old," Agnes felt sad, but when she thought that she actually wanted to snatch her most cherished daughter from her sister, she immediately became furious.
She had seen with her own eyes how precious her sister was to her daughter. If her sister was really robbed of her daughter, she simply couldn't imagine how sad she would be.
"Don't even think about it!" She glared at the master, "I won't let you succeed."
"It's not up to you." Bianca curled her lips slightly and sneered, "If you make me lose my apprentice, then you have to compensate me for an apprentice. Isn't this fair and reasonable?"
"Who wins or loses depends on the final result. Don't talk too much! Maybe you won't have to consider taking on an apprentice in the future." Agni yelled at the master without giving in, "In short, I
I will not agree to your condition. A challenge is a challenge, Xia Lu is Xia Lu, and I have no right to use my niece as a bet!"
Bianca frowned, obviously very dissatisfied with her apprentice's attitude.
"Okay, if you don't agree, you won't agree. Anyway, it won't be your business then." Finally, she said coldly, "I have some things to deal with recently. Let's agree on a time and wait for me to deal with the matter.
I’ll take care of you when I’m done——”
Although her wish came true, Agnes's mood was even heavier than before.
On the one hand, the duel with Bianca, who has been her master for many years, brought huge psychological pressure to her; on the other hand, the sudden extra "bet" also made her have to worry about it.
Although the master didn't say much more, Agnes knew the master's temper, and she could really do something like snatching away Xia Lu - after all, she had used force to accept her as her apprentice.
So, no matter what the reason was, she must win... She made up her mind.