The Villain Professor's Second Chance

And her unparalleled beauty, enhanced by her golden hair, made her the epitome of regal elegance.

Her chamber was a testament to her status and refined taste. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of past battles and triumphs of the Regaria Kingdom. A large, intricately carved wooden bed dominated the room, draped with the finest silks and velvets.

On one side, a massive window allowed the morning sun to flood the room with light, illuminating the polished marble floors and ornate furnishings.

As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, the door to her chamber creaked open, and a maid entered, bowing deeply. "Good morning, Your Majesty. Shall I prepare your bath?"

Aurelia nodded, her irritation momentarily easing. "Yes, and be quick about it."

The maid hurried to comply, and within minutes, the queen was soaking in a luxurious bath, the warm water soothing her tense muscles. She closed her eyes, trying to banish the lingering traces of her unsettling dream. The maid carefully washed her hair, her hands gentle yet efficient, and then helped her into a robe made of the softest material.

Next came her morning routine, a meticulously orchestrated series of tasks that helped her prepare for the day. The maid assisted her in dressing, selecting a gown that was both regal and practical for her duties. Aurelia chose a deep green dress that complemented her eyes, with gold embroidery that matched her hair.

Her jewelry was simple yet elegant, a reminder of her status without being ostentatious.

As the maid brushed her hair, Aurelia\'s mind wandered to the day\'s agenda. She sighed, thinking about the throne room and the ministers she would have to face. "Those disgusting ministers," she muttered, her expression darkening. "Always fighting with each other, trying to curry favor with me.

They only think about their self-interest and would sell the country in a split second if they had the chance and were given a proper and luxurious reward."

The maid, sensing the queen\'s mood, remained silent, focusing on her task. Once her hair was perfectly arranged, Aurelia stood and took a final look in the mirror. She was the picture of royal authority and grace, every inch the queen her people expected her to be.

She turned to her maid, her voice softer. "Is my brother up yet?"

The maid nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Caelum was in the library when I last saw him."

Aurelia smiled, a rare expression of genuine warmth. "Of course he is," she said softly. "He never stops studying."

With a final deep breath, she left her chamber and made her way to the throne room. The grand hallways of the palace echoed with the sound of her footsteps, the marble floors gleaming under the light of crystal chandeliers. Along the way, she passed by several servants and guards, all of whom bowed deeply as she passed. She acknowledged them with a nod, her expression stern but not unkind.

As she approached the throne room, she heard the faint murmur of voices. Her ministers were already gathered, no doubt bickering over some trivial matter. She took a moment to steel herself, then pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside.

The room fell silent as she entered. The ministers, a collection of older men with varying degrees of power and influence, bowed deeply. Their expressions were a mix of deference and thinly veiled ambition, and Aurelia felt a flicker of irritation.

She walked to her throne, a massive, ornate chair that dominated the room. As she took her seat, she looked over the assembled ministers, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "Let\'s get this over with," she said curtly. "What pressing matters require my attention today?"

One of the ministers, a portly man with a red face, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we need to discuss the budget for the upcoming harvest festival. The funds allocated are insufficient for the scale of the event we are planning."

Aurelia\'s eyes narrowed. "Increase the budget by ten percent," she said. "But make sure every coin is accounted for. I will not tolerate any misappropriation of funds."

The minister bowed, a look of relief on his face. "Yes, Your Majesty. It will be done."

Another minister, a tall, thin man with a hawk-like nose, spoke up. "Your Majesty, there is also the matter of the border disputes with the neighboring kingdom. Their forces have been encroaching on our territory, and our scouts report increased activity near the border."

Aurelia\'s expression hardened. "Increase the patrols and fortify our defenses. Send a message to their king, reminding him of the treaty. If they continue to encroach on our land, there will be consequences."

The minister bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

The meeting, mercifully, did not last as long as usual. Aurelia\'s sharp gaze and curt commands left little room for the usual bickering and politicking. She addressed each issue with decisive authority, her impatience evident.

As the final matter was discussed and resolved, she dismissed the ministers with a wave of her hand. "That will be all. You may go."

The ministers bowed and quickly made their way out of the room, their expressions a mix of relief and trepidation. Aurelia watched them go, her eyes narrowing. "Cowards," she muttered under her breath. "All of them."

Once the room was empty, she leaned back in her throne and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the storm of frustration that churned within her. She knew she was harsh, but she had no choice. The kingdom needed strong leadership, and she could not afford to show any weakness.

Only the prime minister remained, a tall, dignified man with silver hair and a thoughtful expression. He sighed, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and resignation. "Your Majesty, you shouldn\'t be so harsh on the ministers. Making enemies within the court can be dangerous. The royal castle is always a dangerous place for the royals."

Aurelia shrugged, her expression unrepentant. "It would be fine as long as I have my royal servants like you on my side."

The prime minister let out another sigh, shaking his head slightly. "Even so, caution is advised. Now, about the upcoming royal banquet to celebrate Prince Caelum\'s birthday…"

Aurelia\'s eyes softened at the mention of her younger brother. "Yes, Caelum\'s birthday. He\'s a magic maniac, always with his nose in a book or practicing spells. It would be great if the professors from the Magic Tower University came."

"Indeed," the prime minister agreed. "Their presence would be an honor."

"They will come," Aurelia said with a smirk. "Or I\'ll cut the budget the kingdom has been giving towards the university."

The prime minister sighed once more, a familiar sound in their conversations. "Very well, Your Majesty. And speaking of tutors, Prince Caelum is coming to an age where he will need proper guidance. Have you considered appointing a tutor for him?"

Aurelia\'s gaze grew distant, her thoughts turning inward. "Yes, he needs a tutor. But as for myself, my tutoring can come later. I haven\'t found the right person yet."

The prime minister gave her a long, searching look but did not press further. "Very well, Your Majesty. We will ensure that the preparations for the banquet are flawless. It will be a grand celebration."

Aurelia nodded, her mind already shifting to the myriad details that needed her attention. The royal banquet would be a significant event, not just for her brother but for the entire kingdom. It was an opportunity to display the strength and unity of the Regaria Kingdom, to remind their allies and enemies alike of their power.

As they discussed the preparations, Aurelia felt a sense of anticipation building. Despite the constant pressures and challenges of her role, moments like these reminded her of the importance of her duty. She was the queen, and she would do whatever it took to protect and lead her kingdom.

But one word lingered inside her head.

She knows that the ruler need to be a perfect one, but due to some circumstances, she has stopped her learning in magic and swordsmanship.

"Tutor, huh..."