The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 20

Chapter 20. A Stormy Night (2)

“Achel?”

Emilia sat up reflexively, calling for her nanny.

As if waiting for it, the door opened.

“You really weren’t asleep.”

Rachel stood there in her nightgown, holding a lamp.

“Achel—!”

With tears welling in her eyes, Emilia ran into Rachel’s skirt.

“I thought the light went out.”

Rachel picked up Emilia, who was clinging to her, and walked back to the bed. She put the princess back on the bed and rekindled the lamp in the room.

“Lia didn’t turn it off. It was already out when I woke up.”

“It’s a stormy night. It must’ve gone out because of the wind.”

Rachel checked the window crack and latched it tightly.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

“A-Achel!”

Emilia grabbed the nanny, who was about to leave the room right after finishing her task.

“What is it?”

“Achel, Lia’s scared…”

Emilia couldn’t even finish her sentence.

Rumble—

With another thunderclap echoing, the young princess finally burst into tears.

“Lia’s scared—! Lia hates lightning—!”

“Well then, excuse me for a moment.”

With those words, Rachel climbed onto the bed without hesitation. She lay down right next to the princess.

Emilia looked at her nanny with a puzzled expression. “Achel?”

“I’ll stay by your side until the thunder stops.”

Rachel hugged the princess and pulled the blanket over both of their heads.

“This way, the sound will be a little less loud.”

Emilia’s eyes grew wide. Sure enough, the thunder seemed quieter than before.

“How is it?”

“Hmm, it’s not as loud.”

“Are you still scared?”

“Hmm, just a little bit.”

Emilia quietly stared at her nanny lying beside her. Though it was dark and she couldn’t see Rachel’s face, she could hear her breathing and feel her warmth. For some reason, it felt comforting.

Emilia fidgeted with her fingers.

It was strange. The same darkness now felt so cozy.

‘Emma used to be like this too.’

Emilia remembered the face of her former nanny, who was no longer here. Even if she wouldn’t allow the light to stay on, she always hugged her and sang her lullabies on stormy nights until she fell asleep.

Without thinking, the young princess burrowed into Rachel’s arms.

Rachel stiffened at the small warmth snuggling into her.

“Achel.”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

“Of what?”

“The dark and the thunder.”

“I’m not scared.”

Rachel added in an indifferent voice, “Because it all passes.”

“Passes?”

When night passes, morning comes, and when thunder stops, the sky clears. Just as it always has.

“That’s why I’m not scared.”

Rachel carefully stroked Emilia’s soft hair.

“Your Highness, there’s no need for you to fear such things either. It will all pass soon.”

“Hmm.”

It’ll pass soon. This scary darkness, the thunder that sounds like a scream.

Emilia repeated Rachel’s words in her mind and slowly closed her eyes halfway. Feeling at ease made her sleepy. Maybe it was also because of the pleasant floral scent coming from Rachel.

“Umm, then Achel, what are you scared of?”

“Me?”

“Uh-huh.”

Rachel remained silent for a long time. She stared at the young princess, who looked as though she would fall asleep at any moment, her eyes blinking drowsily.

“…I’m not sure.”

Amid the distant rumble of thunder, the nanny said no more. Her gaze was fixed on the peacefully sleeping face of the princess.

The stormy night slowly came to an end.

***

After that stormy night, Emilia clung to me even more.

“Achel, play with Lia!”

“Achel, eat with Lia!”

“Achel, carry Lia!”

Her neediness had only gotten worse.

“Achel, tell me a bedtime story!”

“It’s late, Your Highness. How about going to sleep now?”

“I’ll sleep if you tell me a story.”

The young princess pulled her silk blanket up to her chin, her eyes twinkling. There goes getting her to sleep on time tonight.

I sighed inwardly, but Edwin, who was next to me, spoke up, “Just tell her one. It’s not that hard.”

Since hearing about the stormy night, Edwin had stayed by his sister’s side until she fell asleep before returning to his room. He loved his sister dearly, after all.

“What story would you like to hear?”

“A story about a princess!”

A princess wanting to hear a story about a princess. I couldn’t understand it.

“Aren’t you already a princess, Your Highness?”

“I’m not a princess, I’m an imperial princess.”

Isn’t that the same thing? Difficult.

I was lost in thought.

‘A story about a princess, huh.’

What kind of story should I tell?

The princesses I’d encountered in the past fell into two categories. Those who wanted their rivals killed, and those who wanted their husbands killed.

But could I tell that to a child not even ten years old?

“Another princess story?”

Then, Edwin frowned and scolded his sister. “Aren’t you tired of princess stories?”

“Tired? Don’t you like princesses, Brother?”

“…No.”

“Why? Why don’t you like princesses? Princesses are pretty and kind!”

“They’re weak.”

As if remembering someone, Edwin’s voice lowered.

“I don’t like weak things.”

“Then do you dislike Lia too?”

Emilia looked at Edwin with disappointed eyes.

“Lia is weak too.”

“Silly. You’re a baby, so of course you’re weak.”

Edwin pinched his sister’s nose lightly and smiled.

“And it’s okay because I’ll protect you.”

“Right! You’re a prince! Princes are the strongest in the world!”

“You only just realized that?”

They’re at it again. Edwin, who can’t even beat a single servant, talking about protecting someone.

“Then who will protect the prince?”

“What? Well…”

At my question, Edwin stammered for a moment. Then he got angry and yelled, “You’ll protect me! You’re my nanny!”

I paused briefly.

“Your Highness.”

“What! What is it! Got a problem?”

“You shouldn’t expect others to protect you. You must learn to protect yourself.”

Hearing my words, Edwin’s eyes widened. Then suddenly, he frowned and bit his lip.

“What are you saying? You mean you’re not going to protect me?”

“Of course not. As your nanny, it’s only natural that I protect you.”

“Then what?”

“But I can’t be by your side all day, every day.”

“That’s—!”

Edwin started to say something, then stopped, pursing his lips. He gave me an irritated look, then turned his head away.

“Hmph, nagging over a simple joke. I can take care of myself!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

He seemed very upset, raising his voice at me.

“I can manage just fine without anyone protecting me!”

“Well, that’s good to hear.”

I extinguished the lamp by their bedside.

“It’s really time to sleep now.”

“Ahhh! What about the princess story?”

“Oh, the princess.”

Now that I thought of it, I did say I’d tell a story about a princess. I glanced at the moon rising outside the window, then bent over slightly.

“It’s too late. Both of you should sleep now.”

“Ahh—! Achel, you said you’d tell a story about a princess!”

Emilia whined, but I couldn’t help it. There was no way I could tell her a story about an angry princess ordering the death of her cheating husband and the maid.

“Instead, I’ll ask the head maid to come tomorrow. She knows much more interesting stories than I do.”

“Really? Catherine will tell stories?”

“Yes.”

We hadn’t discussed it, but I was sure she’d agree if I asked. I felt a bit sorry for Catherine, but there was no other choice. If things continued like this, I’d have to come up with random stories until Emilia fell asleep.

“Well then, goodnight.”

Anyway, my workday as a nanny ended safely once again. Now, it was time for myself.

***

“Nanny, did you not sleep well last night?”

Catherine looked worriedly at me as I yawned repeatedly.

“Yes, well.”

I stifled another yawn with my hand. Staying up all night training in my room, I hadn’t even realized dawn had come.

‘Am I starting to feel pressed for time?’

To learn the truth behind my death, I’d need to get out eventually, and I needed this body to be in usable shape for that.

‘The problem is, no matter how much I train, my body just doesn’t keep up.’

In my previous life, I had the perfect physique for combat. But now, trying to train like an assassin with an ordinary woman’s body was a real challenge.

“I had trouble sleeping.”

“Should I brew you some herbal tea that’s good for sleep?”

“No, I’m fine.”

I rubbed my tired eyes and waved her offer away. Seeing me, Catherine put her hands on her hips.

“This won’t do. You need at least thirty minutes of rest.”

“What?”

“Nanny, you can’t even focus right now. How can you take care of Their Highnesses like this? Isn’t that right?”

She pushed me insistently.

“I’ll take care of Their Highnesses for a while, so go rest.”

“But…”

I didn’t like leaving my duties to someone else.

I hesitated for a moment.

Emilia and Edwin were chatting away, eating breakfast.

Maybe it’d be okay, just for a little while.

‘It’s not like there’s no one else to look after them.’

Unable to resist the temptation of sleep, I eventually accepted Catherine’s offer.

“Alright then, just for a while.”

“Don’t worry.”

As I quietly tried to leave, the children noticed me. Seeing their bright eyes looking my way made me feel guilty.

“You’re leaving already?”

Edwin looked displeased as I tried to leave.

“Your Highness, it seems the nanny had trouble sleeping last night. Wouldn’t it be good for her to rest a bit?”

“She couldn’t sleep?”

He glanced at me, looking as though he was scolding me.

“You went to bed early last night, so what kept you up?”