Third Person’s POV


    Back at her pack house, Adide told Lance about the encounter. She quickly rified, “Just so we’re clear: I’m only keeping tabs on him because he’s my subordinate and he’s in a critical position. I’m not being jealous, just normally cautious.”


    Lance chuckled, pinching her cheek. “You don’t have to exin. Do you think I’m that petty? Right now, anyone you catch being too chummy with Germain should raise a g. You’re doing the right thing.”


    Adide wrapped her arm around his, leaning in yfully. “I just didn’t want you to misunderstand, though I know you’re not petty.”


    Lance took off his jacket, pulled Adide down to sit next to him, and asked, “I hear you’re setting up an assessment for the Royal Guard? Are you nning to spar with them yourself?”


    Adide raised an eyebrow. “News travels fast! Ellen told you, didn’t he?”


    “He did. So, is this just because Ampelio tried to disrespect you?”


    Adide smiled. “Not entirely. I’ve been so focused on the treason case that I haven’t properly assessed any of the guard units. The annual performance reviews from the Minister of Personnel areing up, and as their superior, I have to write those reports. So, this assessment isn’t just for the Royal Guard; the other departments are up next too.”


    Lance pressed, “The assessment isn’t just aboutbat skills, is it?”


    Adide lightly touched his hand, a rare spark of mischief in her eyes. “It’s not, butbat skills are definitely the main event. Ampelio is fundamentally fine, but he doesn’t like suddenly having me as a direct boss. I need to make sure he learns to be managed. If there’s an emergency, I can’t have them refusing mymand–that would be a huge problem.”


    Lance teased, “Oh, so someone’s about to get a beating?”


    On the day of the assessment, Adide ordered that anyone not on duty had to attend.


    Ampelio, who initially thought Adide was targeting him personally, spent the morningining to his wife about Adide’s “pettiness.”


    He muttered to himself, “She’s going to be nothing but trouble.”


    When he arrived at the Capital Guard training ground, however, he realized this was a formal assessment that affected everyone, not just him.


    When he learned the results would tie directly into the Minister of Personnel’s annual review, he truly started to sweat.


    He had already offended Adide. If he lost badly today, his evaluation would tank, possibly leading to a pay cut or even a demotion.


    He wished he had prepared more and prayed he could just scrape by.


    Ulrik was also there, but he wasn’t required to participate in the assessment, as he had just started his new job.


    Having witnessed Adide’s fighting prowess on the Southern Border, Ulrik knew Ampelio stood no chance. Now, it was just a matter of how many seconds Ampelio couldst.


    Adide wasn’t wearing her uniform today, which lessened her intimidation factor but gave her a very sharp, capable air.


    She stood on the training tform stairs, her voice clear and carrying to everyone present, “I will personally be assessing all of you today. I expect you to bring your absolute best. If any Deputy Captain can’t hold out against me for fifty seconds, the entire team will undergo special training. Othermanders mustst twenty seconds. Fail that, and you’re also in special training.”


    A few people immediatelyughed, while others frowned.


    Thoseughing clearly hadn’t seen Adide fight. Deputy Captains like Ampelio and Ulrik frowned deeply.


    Surviving fifty seconds against Adide was nearly impossible.


    In other words, special training was now guaranteed.


    “I’ve already found your special training instructor,” Adide announced, sweeping a cold gaze across the field. Once the noise died down, she invited Paisley forward.


    The crowd watched a striking woman in a red training outfit walk out. “Her? The training instructor? Just a she–wolf?”


    Paisley had someone bring a chair out to the edge of the field. She casually pushed up her sleeve and sat down, leaning back against the chair with an air of pure arrogance.


    “Hmph. I’m here to be the instructor, alright.”


    Ampelio was openly skeptical. He stepped forward. “Gamma Adide, you said you’d assess us personally. Does that mean we’ll all spar with you, one after the other?”


    “That’s right.”


    “And what weapons will we be using?” Ampelio asked first.


    He’d heard Adide was a beast with weapons and knew he’d be at a disadvantage.


    Adide replied, “Unarmedbat.”


    Ampelio’s face lit up with relief. “Seriously? You can’t back out of that!”


    Without weapons, he figured he could definitelyst fifty seconds, relying on brute strength if necessary.


    He knew Adide couldn’t fight off a continuous stream of fresh opponents.


    He was already nning to have the twelvemanders wear her down first, one by one, when Adide called out, “Ellen, you’re up first.”


    Ellen stepped forward and saluted. “Yes, ma’am!”


    Ellen was secretly thrilled. He’d seen Paisley fight on the Southern Border and knew she was a killer. If he got to train under her, he’d definitely improve.


    “I’ll let you have the first move,” Adide said. “Everyone gets this courtesy–I’ll let you take the first shot.”


    Ellen didn’t hesitate. He immediately balled his hand into a w, rushing forward to grab Adide’s shoulder.


    Sara Lili


    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.