A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“You’ve got real potential, kid. You seem steady, too. And since your health needs some looking after for the next six months or so, why not stick around? I can teach you. Would you like to learn?”

Zachary stared in astonishment, mouth parted, utterly speechless. Alessia, unable to bear the awkward silence, pressed gently on his back, nudging him forward into a respectful bow toward Xander.

“It would be… such an honor to learn from you, sir. Ever since I started down this path, I’ve admired you so much. I’ve read your papers and books a dozen times over, and every time I get something new from them. I even planned to major in medicine at college. I’ve always dreamed of meeting you in person. I… I promise I’ll work hard. I won’t let you down.”

Zachary’s heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt. The tips of his ears were

scarlet, and his voice trembled with nervous excitement.

Xander narrowed his eyes, chuckling softly, clearly in a good mood.

“This is all rather sudden, but some traditions can’t be skipped. We can forgo the complicated rituals, but a cup of tea is still in order. Six, bring the tea.”

“Yes, sir!” Six answered at once and hurried off.

jack–of–all–trades, more reliable in a pinch than truly skilled. He called Xander “mentor” every day, but he knew his own limits and had never formally been accepted as an apprentice, worried he’d

So this cup of tea for a formal apprenticeship–it was the first

it had been anyone else, he might have hesitated, but since Alessia had brought Zachary, his

real promise he wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by. There was just something about Zachary that resonated with

way home, Zachary stil! couldn’t quite believe it. He drifted along in a daze, half–convinced he

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dreaming.

talked about

Zachary

this? How could he agree to take me on after meeting me just once?

values talent. If you put your heart into learning from him, you’ll