Free Reborn: Knight's Code by D.W. Jackson Page B

level two students will be having an advancement test today, but I was not informed that one of them belonged to the duchess. If I had known, we would have prepared for your possible attendance.”
    “The young lady does not belong to me but my husband,” Emelia said as she signaled for the man to raise his head. “He has taken extreme interest in her growth so we have come today to see how she has grown in your care.”
    Though Emelia was speaking politely, there was a hidden tenseness in her voice that left Ash speechless. Even Ash could tell that there was a thinly veiled threat in her words. After the man bowed again, he led them to where Yuki and the others had been gathered as they waited for their test to begin.
    “What was that about?” Ash asked as soon as the men were far away not to hear them talk.
    “The Adventurer School is outside my control and they have been long known to treat nonhumans badly. I just wanted them to know that the new laws included them. They will report this to their higher ups and soon they will be smart enough to figure out the true meaning behind my words. If they don’t, then they wouldn’t have deserved their position.”
    Ash felt slightly bad she was using Yuki’s advancement test in such a way, but Emelia had told him before that a noble had to look how any action they take will be understood. They had to take every chance they could right now to reinforce the new laws, otherwise they will be taken lightly and it will be harder to enforce them the longer they allow people to disregard them.
    Thankfully after Ash and Emelia reached the Adventurer School, the large group of people started to disperse. Still it was hard to miss the sight of two nobles accompanied by a number of heavily armed guards. Thanks to their exaggerated escort, as soon as they entered the small training field, Yuki noticed them and ran forward while dragging her friend Tina behind her. “Emelia, this is my friend Tina,” Yuki said, pushing her friend to the front.
    “Your grace,” Tina said with an awkward curtsy.
    “Tina, if you are Yuki’s friend, there is no need for formalities, it would just make her uncomfortable,” Emelia said with a smile.
    Shortly after Yuki and Tina appeared, Helen and Susan walked up behind the two young girls. “Master Ash, nice to see you again,” Susan said with a warm smile.
    “Boy, I was hoping my daughter could rope you in, but it seems the duchess already has her claws in tight. Still for a second wife you could do worse than my lil girl,” Helen said in her normal bawdy manor.
    “Helen, I see you are still the same,” Ash said laughing despite himself. “Though you should really not say such things when my wife is standing right beside me.
    “Meh…If that lady can’t take a bit of a challenge, she don’t deserve you,” Helen said throwing Emelia a wink. “If not, this old bat has lived long enough. Even if she wants to put my head to the block, I doubt the axe could cut through this old hide.”
    “Mother,” Susan exclaimed, her face turning slightly white as she began bowing over and over to Emelia. “I am sorry your grace. My mother’s mind seems to falter a little with old age.”
    “Bah. My mind is a clear as it ever was,” Helen said while sticking out her chest. “My tongue on the other hand has grown a bit loose with age. Too old to worry about something as silly and certain as death.”
    “That is fine,” Emelia said with a hint of laughter. “I have to deal with enough people who use flowery words to cover up what they truly want to say. Talking to someone who speaks there mind in such a straightforward way is refreshing. If half the nobles did the same, then it wouldn’t take a week to get anything across.”
    “Seems like the duchess is a smart and feisty one,” Helen said laughing. “Only a lady with a bit of gumption can put some of those dim-witted dandies in their place. Bout time they learned a woman can do their job twice