Apprenticeships are a noble position that allows for anyone to learn from a skilled master. It is a legal contract that binds the master to protect and teach the apprentice till she or he becomes a master as well. The master is legally bound to take care of the apprentice until they are of age, which includes taking care of living expenses, housing, food, and providing equipment. In exchange, the apprentice is indebted to their master and must work off her debt completely to be free of the contract. The value of the debt is determined during the beginning stages of the contract negotiation, with the master having the final say. What makes an apprenticeship so valuable though, is the power the apprentice is given. To be an apprentice of a master is to act as their shadow, you are provided legal authority to act for your master in their stead if they are ever incapable of doing something themselves. That and in the absence of your master, you are given authority of all the master’s businesses and work until they return to their duties. Now imagine being the Emperor’s apprentice, I can have legal control over the Empire as the Interim Empress. There’s nothing I won’t be able to do! And just becoming Armand’s apprentice grants me the title of being the second in command of the Empire, I will be able to do whatever I want, even the princes would be under me in status. So when I asked Armand to make me his apprentice, he was definitely taken aback.

“Apprentice? Do you know what you are asking for?” He says in a serious tone, though I could see his lips curled upwards on one side.

“Yes Father.”

“And what is it that you were hoping to master? Swordsmanship? The art of war? Diplomacy?”

Ugh! Look at how shameless this guy is, he's basically calling himself a master of many things. “I was hoping to learn magic from you.”

“Magic? Do you even have the aptitude for it? You have not even experienced the Surge.”

“Of course I do not plan on mastering magic if I do not have the aptitude for it. Though, I am of the age I should experience the Surge, so I would like to wait for it to occur.”

“And if you do not get the Surge?”

“I am also willing to learn the mastery of a weapon. A sword seems rough for a lady like me but–”

“Pfft!” The emperor looks away as his shoulders shake slightly. Why you little! Is he laughing because I called myself a lady!? I am a bit embarrassed that I said something like that in this tiny body, but that doesn’t mean he can just make fun of my misery!

“.. but a bow and arrow should suffice.”

“Alright then. As promised, you shall get your wish. You will become my apprentice. We shall wait for the age of the Surge to pass before determining whether you shall learn magic or the bow and arrow. I heard your sixth birthday is coming in two moons, once you turn six, your age for getting the Surge will pass and magic will not be an option for you. Since we have that decided, let’s discuss the details of our contract. As tradition, I will take full responsibility for you until you reach 18 years old, including housing, which entails that a master and apprentice live together under the same roof. So starting tomorrow, you will be living in this palace, with me.”

“Yes Master.”

“Father.”

“Oh, uh.. yes.. Father.”

“And in regards to the debt,” I look up at him in anxious anticipation. “It will be set for one million ruby crowns.” I immediately felt faint at the price.

“One m-million r-ruby crowns!?” Ruby crowns are the highest valued currency in the Empire, one ruby crown is equivalent to 100 gold crowns, 1 gold crown is worth 500 silver crowns, and 1 silver crown is worth 50 copper ones. A middle-classed family of seven can live comfortably for a month with only 1 gold crown and he’s asking for one million ruby crowns! “F-Father! The price, seems a bit much for a modest citizen of the empire such as I, please if you can reconsider by lowering–”

“You believe becoming the apprentice of the Emperor is worth any less?”

“N-no! That was not what I intended with my words, I simply meant it would be beyond my lowly skills to ever pay off the debt set at such a price, I would be working for my entire life and still only accumulate a fraction of it. That would inconvenience Father as well for you would never have your debt repaid.”

“Fair enough,” He says and I sigh a breath of relief, “then I shall change the repayment method. Instead of actual ruby crowns, you can repay me with anything worth monetary value. Though the debt value will remain the same, you can repay me in whatever way you would like, be it knowledge, labour, or other things, but it must accumulate to be worth a million ruby crowns.”

Are you kidding me?! I can’t even negotiate with him since he can chop my head off for being insolent!

“No family discount hehe?” I asked with a jesting tone but was lowkey begging him to decrease the price.

“It seems you want the honor of calling me your Father revoked.”

“N-no! I only said the previous comment for light humor, please disregard it and forgive me for suggesting it.”

“Haha, it’s alright. I was also indulging in some humor, I shall decrease the price if you insist so much. You can pay one less gold crown.”

“Ah..haha.. Thank you for your generosity…” I sink my head in defeat.

“So it’s decided then. I shall ask the chancellor to formally write up the contract and it will be sent to your palace before evening.”

“Sounds good Father…” I sighed, admitting defeat. “Then I shall take my leave for now. The grace of the spirits be with you.” He nods in acknowledgement and I turn to leave the throne hall.

“And you as well,” the Emperor whispers, “daughter.”