The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Emily and Brian arrived at Cyan’s room.

Emily couldn’t hide her bewildered expression.

“Um, uh, Sir Knight?”

“Yes, Miss Maid!”

Two years ago, when Cyan left for the academy, they had been on good terms as a maid and a stable hand.

Of course, the parties involved had no recollection of it.

“I don’t understand the situation… Who is this little kid?”

The girl had sparkling eyes and cute lips forming a half-moon.

On the other hand, Emily’s demeanor, with heavy eyes and a tightened mouth, was quite contrasting.

Emily thought for a moment.

The girl seemed young, maybe around ten or eleven, similar in age to Cyan.

But she was wearing maid attire similar to Emily’s and was in Cyan’s room.

That meant…

“Nice to meet you! I’m Nana, the maid serving Cyan Burt!”

Nana’s voice was cute yet loud.

“A maid?”

Emily repeated incredulously, unable to believe it.

“Leaving me and choosing this child to serve as a maid? Is the young master really insane?”

As Emily kept talking, Brian couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

How could someone speak so boldly without even blinking an eye?

How strong must their connection with Cyan be to act like this?

It was truly admirable.

“Hey, Sir Knight! Was it because of her that the young master didn’t return even during the break?”

Brian, innocent and straightforward, responded immediately,

“Uh, well, probably. Since Nana is young, she needs a lot of care. There have been times when the academy was empty for a while due to work, but in the long run…”

“What? So he didn’t come back because of this little kid! Wow, that’s unbelievable! Some people reject proposals and stay loyal, but he brings in another maid instead? When he comes back…”

“Was the young lady also a maid to our master?”

“Of course! I was the only exclusive maid to our young master!”

“Wow! How long have you been together?”

“I’ve known him since he was in diapers, so if we count from training, it’s been well over five years! There’s no one who’s been with him as long as me!”

It felt like she was boasting about her life achievements.

While she was talking and enjoying herself, Brian observed her and thought she seemed quite simple.

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to give this to the young master!”

“…!”

Nana’s cheerful face suddenly froze.

Emily pulled out a red butterfly tie.

“Is this a tie?”

“Yes, Aschel wanted the young master to wear it, so he asked me to pass it on.”

There was a red jewel embedded in the center of the butterfly tie.

“What should we do? Should I bring it to him now?”

“Ah, ahhhhh!”

The corridor was filled with a dizzying scream.

In an instant, Nana’s hidden ears perked up, but fortunately, Emily, who was startled by the sound, did not see it.

Sniffing the faint scent of blood emanating from the scream, Nana’s eyes sharpened instantly.

“The smell of a demonic beast!”

* * *

The banquet hall was adorned with an array of colorful flowers, each displaying its own beauty.

However, among all the flowers, there was one that stood out as the most beautiful.

“Ah…”

Men and women alike were captivated, their faces flushing, and their hearts pounding.

Regardless of how one might describe it, the beauty was unparalleled, reminiscent of a goddess descending among them.

It was Alice Vert, the daughter of Duke Vert, who was known as the Child of the Gods, finally revealing herself at the banquet.

“The goddess has descended…”

No one dared to approach her rashly, as she exuded a noble aura that seemed untouchable.

While some cast envious glances her way, Alice paid no mind to such gazes and simply smiled gently as she moved through the hall.

“Ah, Miss Alice, you’ve grown into such a fine lady, haven’t you?”

The pleasant voice reached Alice’s ears, and she immediately turned her head.

“Teacher Silica!”

Alice greeted Silica, who responded with a warm smile.

“You truly are beautiful, teacher! How have you managed to hide and live like this all this time?”

“While it sounds like a compliment, why does it feel strange? How is it that you only become more beautiful as time goes on?”

No teacher dislikes a well-behaved and academically accomplished student, just as no student rejects a skilled and reputable teacher.

Alice maintained good relationships with most of the academy’s instructors, but among them, Silica was undoubtedly the closest.

It was a joyous reunion between teacher and student, as the two women continued their conversation with laughter and smiles.

“I never expected you, Teacher, to attend the banquet! You usually don’t enjoy such noisy places, right?”

“How can people live according to their stubbornness alone? Sometimes, you need to change the atmosphere to refresh yourself.”

“Well, if that’s the case, you should get married! Even now, dozens of men would flock to you if you returned! How long can you just focus on your research without settling down?”

At the mention of marriage, Silica’s smile turned awkward.

“This…feels like standing in a golden plain watching two beautiful flowers bloom!”

A thick voice that made one’s skin crawl.

Both women’s gazes turned involuntarily.

While Alice was taken aback, Silica’s face froze coldly.

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Alice. I am Drenian Nepelis, the son of Lord Nepelis.”

With a crooked mustache and sinister eyes, Drenian’s appearance was enough to make any woman feel repulsed.

Alice struggled to maintain her composure as she accepted his greeting.

“I accidentally overheard your conversation. Miss Alice is correct. What Silica needs right now is a wonderful companion. Therefore, I intend to fulfill that role.”

Alice couldn’t believe her ears for a moment.

“Well, what does that mean?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?”

-Sigh

Drenian’s hand naturally went towards Silica.

“We are going to get engaged soon.”

Alice’s hands trembled uncontrollably as she spoke her congratulations, unable to look at Silica’s face knowing full well of Drenian’s vile intentions.

“That’s…quite unexpected. Congratulations!”

As she spoke, Alice couldn’t bring herself to look at Silica.

She knew all too well about Drenian’s ugly sexual tastes.

“It seems the atmosphere of the banquet has become a bit loose. We should have some music that suits these two beautiful ladies. Excuse me for a moment.”

Alone, Drenian winked slyly and then left abruptly, leaving Alice and Silica bewildered.

“What… what just happened, Teacher? How did it end up being Drenian?”

“You know, Alice, it has nothing to do with my intentions. It was arranged by our families without my consent.”

“Arranged by our families” meant there was no choice but to comply.

Despite being the daughter of a noble family, Silica was over 30, well beyond the typical age for marriage.

While she was technically past the age of marriage she could be considered an old bride.

Drenian being over 40 and a widower, due to her background as the empress’s brother, he was an indispensable groom for Silica’s family.

However, Silica herself had no desire to marry.

“But this is unacceptable. Isn’t there any other way?”

“What power do I have? Unless someone kills that guy, it’s hard to get away.”

“You’re saying frightening things.”

It was a half-serious, half-sinister joke.

As their gloomy conversation paused, several men and women in black suits appeared in the hall, moving towards the center with musical instruments, presumably the performers.

They all wore white masks, their faces concealed.

As the setup completed, Drenian reappeared, drawing everyone’s attention to the center stage.

Then, in a voice that was difficult to hear, he began to explain why the musicians had appeared.

It was roughly a praising of Silica’s beauty.

“…….”

Alice felt nothing but pity.

Her revered teacher was engaged to a man who seemed inhuman.

She felt a strong urge to intervene by any means necessary.

*Swoosh!*

“What…?”

Anyone who had held a sword could not ignore the sound.

It was the sound of a sharp blade slicing through flesh.

Soon after, a chilling scream accompanied the sound of a body falling.

“Aaargh!”

Drenian’s neck lay gruesomely on the ground.

Above it was a sharp sword, dripping bright red blood.

Masked figures with eerie weapons, not instruments, exuded a cruel aura as they faced terror-stricken people.

“What… What is happening?”

The banquet hall had turned into chaos in an instant.

* * *

“What… What is this noise! An attack by monsters!”

Emperor Dionne, resting in his chamber, shouted in anger.

“Pl-Please, Your Majesty, stay calm! You must evacuate quickly…”

Leaving the enemies behind and fleeing was not in line with the Emperor’s character.

“I will see with my own eyes! How dare such an unspeakable incident occur in my sacred palace…Ugh!”

But in his excitement, his heart disease overwhelmed him, and he collapsed suddenly.

“What is happening? Why haven’t you escorted His Majesty to safety?”

Appearing in the chamber was none other than the Crown Prince.

“L-Louisnel…”

“I will take responsibility for this incident! Please, Your Majesty! Escort His Majesty to safety!”

Though he wanted to say something, the pain in his heart blocked all means of communication.

Amidst the chaos, Queen Cassandra rushed into the chamber.

“D-Drenian is dead! My brother is dead! What should we do?!”

Louisnel calmly placed his hand on the Queen’s shoulder and spoke.

“Please don’t worry, empress. Everything will end well. First, please evacuate to a safe place with His Majesty.”

A man approached the Queen’s side.

“Aschel, would you kindly escort His Majesty?”

A blond man exuding an unusual aura.

The Queen felt her urgent emotions suddenly subside.

“Are you Aschel?”

“I apologize for not introducing myself properly! Please, come with me for now!”

The Queen showed no signs of refusal.

Her eyes, as deeply absorbed as if enchanted by a beautiful flower, seemed ready to follow him even to the depths of hell.

[PR/N: hoe.]

“…..”

Their eyes met, and the Crown Prince and Aschel exchanged an unknowable glance.

————