It was a middle-aged man in black, formal attire, and a very cold yet elegant presence. He stared at Geralt for a second before he nodded and then walked to the back door of the car and opened it. A second later, a girl popped out of the car.
If someone had seen her for the very first time in their lives, they would think she was the most beautiful girl ever. Her looks were so jaw-dropingly perfect that it had caused people to lose consciousness before from the overwhelming feeling of beauty.
She had strikingly white hair, as white as snow, reflecting the light of the sun. Her skin was porcelain and white, and her eyes were a deep, mysterious blue. She had an air of arrogance and aloofness around her, even though she was barely 7 years of age.
The angelic princess, the soul of the royal family, and one of the most important people in the world. A girl with so much raw potential that even her family didn't know how far she could go. Venera Silversoul.
Geralt instantly stood up and rushed down the stairs, completely in shock. 'Why is Her Highness the princess here?! I thought His Majesty the king wasn't going to tell her about this yet?!' He thought to himself as he reached her and bowed instantly.
"Your Highness! I did not expect to be receiving this beautiful day." He said with his head bowed down.
Venera stared at him for a second coldly before she signaled for him to lift his head.
"Is everything fine? Perhaps do you need som-"
"Where is he?" Venera asked coldly as she looked around.
"Excuse me? I didn't-"
"I'm already aware of it, Geralt. Why do you think I'm here?" She asked. "Where is the boy my father chose?"
"... He is." Geralt cleared his throat. "I have sent him to the woods for a test. It has been four days since."
"Hm." Venera squinted her eyes before she looked over her shoulder. "When is he coming back?"
"I'm sadly not aware of it. It could be today, tomorrow, or… Never. It is a test to determine whether he is worthy of continuing the test or not."
"..." Venera didn't reply for a few moments. Geralt felt the pressure of her presence and he didn't dare to say a single word that entire time.
"Shall we head back, your highness?" Her butler asked.
"No." Venera replied. "I want to see this boy. We shall wait."
"But, your high-"
"We will wait." She repeated. "You have spare rooms, don't you?"
"Yes, your highness."
"Good. We will take them."
She said as she walked past Geralt and headed into the cabin. Geralt exhaled slightly before he looked at her butler, signaling with his eyes. 'Why is her highness here?'
'I do not know. She ordered me to drive here.' He replied with his eyes.
'Dammit. She wasn't supposed to know until much later.' He cursed inwardly before he turned around and walked after her highness.
"Welcome to our humble abode, your highness. Would you like some tea?" He asked.
"Hm, perhaps." She replied.
"Please, take a seat. Make yourself comfortable." Geralt said before he walked to the kitchen and prepared some tea. Walking back out, he saw Venera still walking around, inspecting the place.
"Have you been living here for a year?" She asked.
"Yes. Thirteen months to be exact." He replied as he put the tray down.
"It is quite small but… cozy."
"Thank you."
"..." Venera didn't reply for a second before she turned around and walked to Geralt. "So, tell me more about this boy. Why did my father choose him specifically?"
"... May I ask a question first, your highness?"
"If you're going to ask how I have come to know about it… I have my ways." She replied as she sat down.
"I see."
"You could tell me; my father won't do anything." She replied. "Your loyalty won't be questioned."
"..."
"So, who is this kid?"
For a second, Geralt hesitated, knowing the kind of secrecy this project is under, but it was the princess asking him. He simply could not just hide that from her. 'She would probably discover it one way or another. She intends to stay till Rize comes back.'
"His name is Rize. He is your age, your highness."
"Rize…" She muttered. "Interesting name. What do you think of him?"
"He is… How should I put this?" Geralt. "He is a very determined and hard-working boy. He does everything I ask him to do without complaining. He is also quite talented and learns everything I teach him quite fast." He explained. "In the past year, I have taught him most things he needed to learn. He has reached a good mastery over the sword along with a plethora of other weapons; his body is also growing well, and he is very loyal and smart."
"I see…" Venera muttered. "It's rare for you to compliment someone so much, Geralt."
"Well, what can I say, Your Highness? He is quite capable, far more than I expected. He also has no family; he is an orphan, so he will be ready to sacrifice himself no matter the situation."
"Sacrifice himself?" Venera squinted her eyes as she looked at Geralt with a cold glare. The entire air of the room shifted instantly. "Is that what my father told you to teach him?"
"..." Geralt felt the shift and didn't know what to say. The anger flashed in Venera's eyes, and it made him realize the mistake he just committed. "No, as in-"
"Listen here, Geralt. You're one of the very few reasonable people that are connected to my father. If you think teaching someone that their life is worthless compared to someone else's… Then my judgement of you must've been wrong."
"No, your highness, it's…"
"I do not want him to die for me, and frankly, I do not need a bodyguard. I'm capable of taking care of myself just fine."
"Your highness…" He muttered. "Your life is in constant risk. A lot of enemies are targeting you for your importance. You are truly capable and very strong, but you must take into account that having someone who is ready to fight for you is necessa-"
"Then don't teach him nonsense that will make him believe he is merely a puppet. I do not need puppets chasing me wherever I go. Especially not ones controlled by my father. Understood?"
"..."
"Understood?" She asked.
"Yes, your highness," Geralt replied with a faint nod.
With that, Venera stood up, walked to the window, and stared outside. She was in a sour mood, hearing what Geralt and her father had done. 'They want to brainwash a kid into thinking that he is worthless so my father would keep me alive. Truly pathetic and disgusting.'
Venera was sick of her father's antics and his arrogance. He saw everyone beneath him as if they were ants and not human beings. He also treated them all like disposable assets that he could use whenever he wished for it. Something she completely disagreed with and hated.
At the same time, the fact that Geralt was complimenting this boy so much piqued her curiosity. She wanted to see if he was truly good enough or not.
"Rize… Huh?"