ICTV - Chapter 63
I changed The Villain
What if a strange rumor spreads in society and people stop accepting requests for me?
I was feeling uneasy because the maids had already caught an assassin as a group last time. I immediately turned away and grabbed the assassin's shoulder. A shadow fell on the assassin's face.
"Do not worry."
The assassin's body stiffened. I still spoke with an expressionless face.
“I’ll send you back with all your limbs intact. I won’t even ask behind the scenes.”
"..."
“Instead, please make sure to accept a request from me next time. Why, there is a saying that water droplets penetrate the rock, right? If you keep challenging yourself, you will definitely succeed in your mission someday. Therefore...."
I paused. The assassin's body was trembling. He was an assassin who was inwardly anxious due to a situation that did not make common sense. But something even more unconventional happened.
Usually, what happens to an assassin when caught is twofold. Either executed or tortured. However, I did neither of the two actions. The maids were obsessed with the thought of torturing them, but I didn't feel like living. It was as calm as stagnant water.
Usually in situations like this, the victim is either scared or angry. Besides, next time, the assassin will receive a mission for Rose.
Rose is even asking for it. No matter how much the assassin thought about it, he couldn't figure out why Rose was doing this.
People feel fear of the abnormal and unpredictable. No matter how hard he tried to figure out anything, the assassin's body completely lost control and began to tremble more violently. What on earth are you going to do to me? What does it mean to receive another mission? There must be some intention...!
As the assassin fell into his own world, I became curious.
"Hey?"
Is it to get information? Are you trying to find out about other nobles who are trying to assassinate you through me?
But if he did something like that, there was no way the guild he was working for would stay still. As they are sensitive to security, the entire guild has no choice but to target this woman.
If attacks become more frequent, Belial will also be hunted down by the world, and the nobles who keep him in check and find fault with him will not be able to sanction Belial because they have their own reasons.
When Belial moves, only a matter of time before things fail. Then, it is only a matter of time before the list of nobles who submitted requests to that guild is revealed to the public. The assassin finally realizes Rose's intention.
Yes. This woman is not only planning to use him to destroy the entire guild, but she is also planning to execute the nobles who commissioned her to be assassinated. How on earth are you drawing the big picture?!
As expected, she was the woman chosen by Duke Serenity of the world. You're not an average bet...!
At that time, Rose sighed.
“Oh my.”
Rose's hand gently caressed the assassin's cheek.
“Are you cold?”
The assassin got goosebumps at the friendly tone that seemed to genuinely care about him.
“Or does it hurt that much where Mera hit you?”
Scary. It's seriously scary. During his missions, he dealt with nobles who were more skilled than the guard knights, and he also met nobles who groveled and begged him not to kill them because they would give him any amount of money.
He swore this was his first time with a noble like Rose.
The assassin made eye contact with Rose. His expression was still unreadable. Rose opened her mouth, still cupping the assassin's cheek.
“I’ll take you to the doctor...”
“...Carmen!”
He can't endanger her other colleagues. It's better for him to die alone. The assassin shouted with his eyes tightly closed, not wanting to make eye contact with Rose anymore.
“Carmen of Count Del Cardo has asked me to kill you! Please, don’t mess with my guild! Carmen is the end of it!”
“No, wait a minute. If you say that.”
“Please! Please..!"
The assassin fainted at the end of that cry. Rose was dumbfounded. Did this guy become an assassin with such a weak will? They didn't even torture him, so why on earth...!
Rose wanted to grab the assassin by the collar.
As a result, it is only a matter of time before strange rumors spread throughout the society. Rose, who was already getting upset because the number of assassins attacking her these days was decreasing, only nudged the assassin with her finger.
Meanwhile, the maids chatted steadily.
“Did you hear? It was said that Lady Carmen of the Count Del Cardo sent it.”
"No wonder. I thought sending an invitation out of the blue was suspicious.”
“Mera, did you go to tea time with the Lady earlier? How was it?”
“After all, not all nobles' are dignified. She yelled at the Young lady and even kicked her out? My Lady may not be able to hear her.”
“What is it, her? It's really too much."
"...Guys."
Rose ate less cake and failed to die. Today is a really boring and unlucky day. I'm sure nothing worse will happen here.
“Let’s go back to the mansion.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“I’ll buy some cake on the way.”
When you're depressed, sweet things are best. Rose got into the carriage, determined to buy a Mont Blanc from a famous bakery, even if it meant waiting in line for three hours.
Mera asked while holding the assassin's back.
“What should we do with this assassin? We have to take him to the mansion.”
“Just hand it over to the security and let’s go.”
I don't think they have any intention of attacking me anymore. I looked out the window as they started the carriage. No way, it's a bad feeling again. It won't happen. But there is a saying in the world:
It is said that ominous premonitions always come true.
***
"Rose. Are you free next week?”
"..."
Rose, who had planned to wash herself clean and eat cake while sitting on a soft chair, had to come out of the mansion again.
It was because of an errand boy who suddenly came. All the messenger says is that Duke Serenity is waiting at the cafe.
It crawled and disappeared like the wind. It was truly perfect notice. Because he came suddenly without prior notice and didn't give me a chance to refuse.
But I didn't find it offensive. Belial took it for granted that he had the upper hand in any relationship, and I also thought that Belial was absolutely superior in this relationship.
So I had done my best so far to act like a woman in love and a fanatic praising God in front of Belial, but today I didn't have the strength to do so.
“Why are you looking so tired even though I just asked a question?”
I had a blank face, like a child who had been forcibly dragged to a place she didn't want to go by her parents. I looked blankly at Belial sitting across from me. Give me some human time to eat cake.
When I still didn't say anything, Belial smiled.
“I met a lover so beautiful that you might mistake her for the moon. Try being more kind.”
"... Sorry."
I mechanically apologized. I, who was having a really hard time, didn't even notice that Belial was being strangely sarcastic about me.
“I received an invitation to the swordsmanship competition held next week. I would like to attend with you.”
"Yes."
“The dress you’re wearing now is fine, but I think it would be a good idea to get a new dress. How is it? Would you like to come with me and get my formal clothes fitted?”
"Yes."
“You’re not listening to me right now.”
"Yes."
"..."
I took a sip of coffee. I deliberately ordered a very bitter coffee to wake me up, but it didn't help. My physical strength is a problem, but my biggest problem is, of course, this situation right now is not fun.
“So are you going to the sword fighting competition with me or not?”
“I’m going.”
Without hiding my helpless expression, I added a few spoonfuls of sugar to the coffee and stirred it mechanically. The process of seeing the dead ending is unnecessarily long. Is there a way to skip the process like when doing a game tutorial?
I, who suddenly felt sorry for myself, made a sullen expression even when I was choosing a dress in the dressing room. Belial said while examining the dress.
“I think the dress on the left would suit you better.”
“Yes. Anything suits you, so try it on.”
Silence fell in the dressing room at my unconscious reply. The faces of my maids and Belial's knights who were waiting behind them all turned pale. The clerk who recommended clothes was the same.
Belial suddenly turned his head and looked at me
"I beg your pardon?"
“If you want to wear it, try it on.”
I also turned my head and looked at Belial. The look in his eyes says he really doesn't know what mistake he made.
Belial touched his forehead.
“...I meant that it would suit you. Not me, but you.”
I was choosing his clothes. Only then did I remember what the current situation was. But honestly, I don't think Belial would feel uncomfortable wearing a dress. Belial is truly beautiful.
I unconsciously imagined Belial wearing a dress, and Belial said clearly.
“Stop imagining things and choose your own clothes, Rose.”
“Yes, Belial.”
I turned to the clerk. The clerk stepped aside so I could get a better look at the dress. There was a red dress on the right and a black dress on the left.
I said that I thought Belial would look better without even looking at what the dress looked like.
“That’s my opinion too. I think that would suit me better.”
The clerk's face became paler. Gee, I should have taken more time and pretended to look into it. Belial said, still smiling.
“If you don’t like it, it’s okay to be honest. I’m just recommending it.”
"I know. I have no intention of forcing you.”
Rose lightly patted Belial's shoulder.
“But you have better insight than I do, right? I believe in you that much."
“You trust me so much. I’m so touched.”
“I’ll try it on and come back.”
I went into the locker room with the clerks. This time too, Belial's insight was right. This dress suited Rose perfectly.
By the way, black dresses are recommended a lot these days. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothed my hair, and then went out. The eyes of the knights and maids were all filled with admiration.
I approached Belial, slightly lifting the hem of my dress.
“Belial.”
Belial looked at me helplessly. I called Belial once more.
“Belial.”
Belial suddenly came to his senses.
"Sorry. It suits you better than I thought.”
I spoke in a dry tone.
“Your insight was right this time.”
“I was always right.”
His lips touched the back of my hand and then fell. Belial whispered, caressing the back of my hand.
“I’m looking forward to next week.”
"Me too."
"Really?"
I nodded emphatically.
“Of course it is.”
Belial stood up. After purchasing a set of Belial's formal clothes, the two parted ways in front of the dressing room.
“I hope next week will be more lively than now.”
“I’ll try.”
After the formal greetings, Belial got into the carriage and the knights got on their horses. Belial left without looking back.
The maids sighed and said.
"... You're not in a good mood today."
“Why does the Duke keep recommending only black dresses these days?”
“It suits you, but it feels like mourning clothes for no reason, so it’s creepy.”
“I guess it’s because black is the most comfortable.”
The moment I responded half-heartedly, I felt a stabbing gaze. Mera asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Miss. Are you sure you’re okay?”
"..."
Normally, I would have answered okay without hesitation, but today I couldn't.
“Let’s go home quickly.”
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