The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Guest of the Prince’s Palace (7)

“The thing they love most?”

“Yes.”

Taking hostage what one cherished most was the foundation of any good threat.

There was no pain greater than losing the person or thing you loved most in the world.

Edwin tilted his head at my words, then dropped his shoulders with a sigh. “Hm, maybe. But His Majesty the King of Adamant doesn’t seem like someone who’d have a weakness like that….”

On the surface, it certainly seemed that way.

He was the kind of man who looked like he wouldn’t die even if stabbed through the chest. But every human had a weakness, a part of them that could hurt if struck hard enough, sometimes even fatally.

Just as Ian had once been that weakness for me.

“Everyone has a weakness. It’s only a matter of how well they hide it.”

I offered Edwin the best advice I could.

“Observe carefully. No matter how well it’s hidden, a weakness always shows itself eventually.”

“Alright.”

There wasn’t much confidence in his reply. His expression still looked clouded with worry.

It seemed there was something else on his mind besides Kayden.

“Is something bothering you, Your Highness?”

“Hm? Oh, it’s just….”

Edwin’s gaze shifted toward the ornate ceremonial sword resting beside his bed. It was the same one he would use for his sword dance before the Emperor.

“The sword dance… do you think it’s something I can pull off on my own?”

Sword dances were, by nature, meant to be performed in perfect harmony by two people.

But Lloyd hadn’t practiced with Edwin once since storming out of their very first lesson.

“I don’t know… it feels strange to go on stage without ever syncing with Lloyd.”

Seeing his face full of anxiety, I reached out and tousled his hair lightly.

“It’ll be fine.”

According to their sword instructor, Lloyd had been training furiously lately as well. Naturally, he wouldn’t want to embarrass himself in front of the Emperor and the gathered envoys.

“Besides, Your Highness already memorized every one of the Second Prince’s movements.”

A sword dance was a kind of choreography. Coordination was important, but if one side could control the tempo and lead the other, it wouldn’t fail.

“You’ve done everything within your power, so there’s no need to worry.”

“But what if I mess up that day…?”

“There’s no point worrying about things that haven’t happened yet.”

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“And you’ll do well, Your Highness. I’ll guarantee it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Didn’t I tell you before?”

Indeed, Edwin had grown stronger.

Watching his physical progress day by day was almost astonishing. Children’s growth could be terrifyingly fast.

“You’re strong, Your Highness. And talented too.”

“Oh, uh, no, not really….”

He still wasn’t used to being praised. His blue eyes darted nervously from side to side.

‘A few months ago, this was the same kid who said princes didn’t need to bathe.’

Now he was humble enough to get embarrassed by compliments. Maybe he’d finally matured a bit.

“If it keeps weighing on your mind, I’ll ask Sir Jake to arrange a practice session between the two princes.”

It shouldn’t be difficult to set up. Their sword instructor had said himself that it would be troublesome if the two princes never managed to coordinate their dance.

“There’s still some time left before the main banquet.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Edwin’s face brightened instantly.

“Then get some rest. The envoys from the Eastern Continent will arrive tomorrow, and it’ll be a long day for you.”

The delegation from the East was massive. Just greeting them would be enough to keep Edwin busy until evening.

“Alright. Goodnight, Rachel.”

At last, he slipped under the covers with a peaceful expression.

Once I confirmed he’d fallen asleep, I quietly left the room.

Tap.

Just as I was about to head back to my quarters, I heard a sound from below the stairs.

It was Kayden.

‘Was he with Jerome until now?’

I stood on the upper landing, silently watching him.

“Your Majesty! You’ve returned!”

At that moment, Catherine came running across the lobby toward him.

“I heard from the servant sent by Duke Crowner that you’d be late. Have you eaten? Shall I tell them to prepare something?”

“I’m fine. I’ve already eaten.”

Kayden gave a quick glance at Catherine, who was taking his outer coat.

“Your body.”

“Pardon?”

“How’s your body?”

“Ah! Oh, yes! Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, I’ve fully recovered.”

“Good. Health comes before all else, so don’t overwork yourself.”

Perhaps feeling guilty for having lied, Catherine let out an awkward laugh. Kayden smiled kindly at her in turn.

“Next time I ask you for a favor, if you’re not feeling well again, tell me beforehand.”

For a passing comment, there was something oddly sharp beneath his tone.

Catherine bowed her head in flustered silence.

“Oh, and I wish to sleep soundly tonight, so don’t let anyone enter my room before breakfast tomorrow.”

Wasn’t this the same man who’d said he couldn’t fall asleep without someone beside him?

‘…Something’s off.’

A rational suspicion stirred quietly within me.

Kayden Ram, the young king, clearly had some hidden motive.

***

It was still before dawn.

I opened my eyes instinctively from where I lay in bed.

‘Movement.’

There was activity inside the Prince’s Palace, heading outward.

‘One, two, three presences… and one more?’

I rose and walked to the window.

Parting the curtain slightly, I caught sight of shadows moving silently beyond the courtyard wall.

‘Those are….’

In the faint moonlight, their forms became clear. They were knights from the Kingdom of Adamant.

‘Hmm.’

I narrowed my eyes.

One of the figures among them looked far too familiar.

‘Kayden Ram.’

The young king was leading three of his men, sneaking out of the Prince’s Palace in secret.

‘What does he think he’s doing? If he gets caught….’

Moving his knights without the Emperor’s permission… this was no minor breach of decorum. If discovered, it wouldn’t just cause a diplomatic problem. It could mean war.

‘What is he planning, running off like this in the middle of the night?’

The reason didn’t matter to me. But if the guest of the Third Prince’s Palace angered the Emperor, Edwin and Emilia would surely suffer for it.

Swish.

I swiftly threw on a dark cloak and pulled the hood over my head before jumping out the window.

Landing soundlessly, I ran toward the wall where the knights had disappeared and climbed up.

On the other side, Kayden’s group was already mounting their horses.

‘Damn it.’

They’d prepared everything in advance.

He must’ve planned this from the start.

‘Unbelievable. What could possibly be worth the risk….’

I scowled, watching the group grow smaller in the distance, then leapt down from the wall.

‘I’ll follow.’

At this point, I needed to know why Kayden was sneaking out of the palace at night. If I could discover his reason, I might find a weakness to use later.

Gritting my teeth, I set off after them.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve done this.’

An assassin tracking a moving target on horseback had only one rule: move on foot, silently. The target could never suspect pursuit.

“Huff, huff.”

I sprinted hard in the direction of the hoofprints.

If this were my old body, I wouldn’t have tired so easily, but Rachel’s body lacked that strength.

‘Even after training every day since waking up in this body, I’m still not at my peak. I should’ve built up more stamina.’

I cursed myself for not preparing better, but kept running.

Fortunately, before my legs gave out, I caught sight of the Adamant knights again.

‘This place is….’

I frowned as I scanned my surroundings.

Their trail led to a nameless riverbank.

Rustle.

The cold night breeze swept through the reeds by the river, making them sway violently.

An eerie sense of déjà vu made my stomach twist.

A chill trickled down my spine.

Shk—thunk.

A dagger flew and embedded itself in the ground right by my feet.

It had come from Kayden, standing in the distance.

“……”

He was staring straight at me.

“What is it, Your Majesty?”

One of the knights spoke in confusion at his sudden action.

But Kayden didn’t answer. He only continued to look in my direction, sharp and unblinking.