Chapter 27
I suddenly opened my eyes.
And quietly sat up in bed.
“……”
When I glanced to the side, Sion was sleeping with his eyes gently closed, neatly settled.
I admired his face for a moment and whispered in satisfaction.
“Phew… sleep well without worrying, Sion. I’ll take care of everything.”
Soon, assassins sent by the Grand Duchess would appear and attack Sion.
Their goal was either to injure him so he couldn’t attend the Coming-of-Age Ceremony—or to kill him outright.
My goal was to eliminate them before they ever reached Sion.
But there was one major obstacle in this important operation.
“There’s no detailed information about this incident in the original story.”
In other words, I had no idea who the assassins were or how they would attack Sion.
The only thing I knew was that they had already infiltrated the annex in disguise and would strike when the clock struck midnight.
That was the only clue.
“Alright. Then I’ll search the annex thoroughly and identify any unfamiliar servants or maids. If anyone seems suspicious, I’ll take them out first.”
After that, I would find Genebia—who would likely be wandering somewhere in the annex according to the original story—and orchestrate Sion’s fateful reunion event with her!
“Phew… what a perfect plan.”
At least in theory.
Satisfied with my own planning skills and execution ability, I checked Sion’s sleeping face one last time.
His silver-gray hair falling over his sharp nose and his long eyelashes resting neatly caught the moonlight, as if seeing me off.
‘Yep, yep. I’ll be back soon, Sion.’
I pulled my sleepwear hood over my head like a hero and said confidently:
“Alright, let’s go!”
“Go where?”
“…!?”
Startled by the sudden voice, I turned my head.
Sion was awake, looking straight at me.
“Ah… haha… you weren’t asleep, Sion?”
I asked awkwardly, forcing a laugh.
Sion slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“I was planning to.”
“……”
“But you kept tossing and turning like you were trying to read my mood, which made it suspicious.”
“C-coughing? Me? I don’t snore or anything…”
“And? What are you planning to do now?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
I blinked rapidly, putting on my best “I have no idea what you’re talking about” expression.
Because tonight, I absolutely did not intend to go with Sion.
‘In the original story, Sion gets seriously injured while fighting them tonight. So I have to go alone.’
Sion was strong—a knight, an aura user—but this was the true beginning of the original storyline. If I let my guard down, things would follow the original plot no matter what.
“I was just saying I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking of taking a night walk. Want to come, Sion? Ah, but it’s better for you to sleep early for tomorrow, right?”
“‘Let’s search the annex thoroughly and eliminate any unfamiliar servants or maids. If anyone seems suspicious, take them out first,’ you said earlier.”
“…Guh.”
Sion had apparently heard my earlier muttering.
He got out of bed without hesitation, walked to the wardrobe, threw on a dark stealth cloak, and grabbed his sword.
I hurriedly flew over and waved my hands frantically.
“No, no, Sion! You don’t need to come! I can handle this perfectly on my own!”
“If something is happening in this annex, then it is my responsibility, not yours.”
Sion calmly strapped his sword on and headed for the door.
‘Damn it!’
“Wait, Sion!”
I blocked his way.
“L-let’s think about this again! Shouldn’t one of us stay here just in case something happens in the room? Like if some suspicious assassins show up or cause trouble… not that assassins will actually show up!”
“Assassins, you say.”
Sion repeated my words and opened the door.
‘This is bad!’
I quickly flew up and landed on his left shoulder, tugging at his cheek desperately.
“Go back, Sion! I don’t want you getting hurt in something unnecessary!”
Sion replied calmly.
“You don’t know, but incidents like this happen occasionally. There’s no need to be afraid.”
“…What?”
“I already expected that unwelcome guests might arrive around this time. That woman wouldn’t just let me safely attend the ceremony and inherit the main estate without interference.”
“…!”
Even though Sion had seemed calm all this time, he had also sensed the storm brewing.
At that moment, I realized I couldn’t convince him anymore.
“Alright… fine, Sion.”
I quickly changed my approach.
“If that’s the case… let’s find them first and strike before they do.”
Preemptive strike strategy.
I told Sion everything I could without triggering any spoiler warnings.
“I have a clue about the assassins targeting you tonight.”
“What is it?”
“They’re most likely disguised and already inside the annex.”
At my words, Sion looked thoughtful.
“Then they are not regular servants or maids assigned to fixed duties.”
“Exactly.”
“And not the guards either, since they require identity verification.”
“Right.”
Sion walked through the dim corridor of the annex.
“In most assassinations, bribed servants are used. But for jobs with high risk, disposable outsiders are usually employed.”
I agreed immediately.
In my romance-fantasy knowledge base, villains always used expendable extras for dirty work.
“Hmm, I used to complain there weren’t enough servants in the annex—but turns out it’s useful for something.”
Sion murmured, half agreeing.
Because it was late at night, the corridors were almost empty.
Occasional servants or knights who passed by were familiar faces, startled to see the young master walking through the dark with such an ominous aura.
They quickly bowed and left.
Go away. Don’t interrupt us.
We continued searching until we reached the garden connected to the outer corridor.
“Huh? I’ve never been here before.”
It wasn’t large enough to be called a proper garden, but not small enough to be ignored either.
Sion suddenly stopped walking.
“Sion?”
I tilted my head.
Following his gaze, I saw three figures moving among the snow-covered trees.
“…Ah.”
Three people.
One trimming bare branches.
One chopping at a tree stump with a large axe.
One casually clearing snow in the corner.
All three looked extremely suspicious.
Sion walked toward them slowly.
“Working hard at night, I see.”
His tone was calm—but clearly mocking.
The trio stopped moving instantly.
“….”
“….”
“….”
Then the leader smirked.
“As expected, you’re sharp, young master.”
“You don’t think you were subtle, do you?”
Sion’s sharp reply made the leader’s expression stiffen.
“Let’s end this quickly. It’s cold.”
Sion drew his sword with a metallic sound.
The assassins’ eyes sharpened with killing intent.
“Good. That’s exactly what we wanted.”
