The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 94

Chapter 94: Founding Festival Preparations (5)

“Nanny?”

Lost in thought, I snapped back to reality at Catherine’s voice.

“Well, it wasn’t good or bad.”

I added absentmindedly, “After all, I wasn’t their real daughter.”

Since coming back to life in this body, I’d never met the Brown couple.

I couldn’t be sure what kind of relationship the real Rachel had with them, but I was certain they hadn’t been close.

‘If they had been, they would’ve at least sent a letter. But not once have I received one.’

There wasn’t a single clue about family in Rachel’s room either.

“I, I’m really sorry, Nanny. I didn’t mean to. I just forgot.”

Catherine looked flustered, thinking she’d said something wrong.

“There’s nothing to apologize for.”

I, too, often forgot that I’d been adopted into the Brown family. We were even in that regard.

“I’m sorry….”

I looked at the dejected Catherine for a moment, then turned my head.

“…But there was someone I treasured as much as family.”

Catherine raised her head like a startled rabbit. Her eyes were so full of curiosity it made me a little uncomfortable.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because it’s the first time you’ve ever brought up something personal!”

Catherine’s big eyes sparkled.

“So, who was the person you treasured so much?”

I hesitated for a while before finally muttering quietly, “…Someone I loved.”

“S-someone you loved?”

I glanced at the overly dramatic Catherine and swallowed a sigh.

‘I never thought I’d actually say that out loud.’

Maybe time really did dull the pain, because recalling Ian no longer hurt as sharply.

“My goodness, so a lover?”

Catherine covered her mouth and started bouncing in place.

“Kyaaa! A love story from you, Nanny? I have to hear this! Please, tell me!”

Hearing her endless excitement, I couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.

I picked up Edwin’s trousers.

“He betrayed me and left. If we ever meet again, I’ll kill him with my own hands.”

“What?”

Catherine blinked and darted her eyes around nervously.

Then, as if a realization struck, she raised her eyebrows.

“Wait, did that man—no, that bastard—cheat on you?”

If only it had been that simple.

I shrugged at the agitated Catherine.

“Who knows?”

“Oh my god, where is that bastard now? I’ll take revenge for you! If I ever see him, I’ll rip every strand of his hair out!”

“The revenge is done. But you, Catherine, should be careful too.”

Her eyes widened at the sudden warning.

“What do you mean by that, all of a sudden?”

“I mean don’t make the same mistake I did.”

“What mistake?”

Gripping the doorknob, I answered firmly, “The mistake of giving everything you have just because you love someone.”

Catherine stood behind me with a dazed look on her face.

I left her with one last sentence.

“In the end, the one who loves more is the one who gets hurt.”

***

Central Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Cavelius III of the Ventrume Empire sat on the throne with a blank expression.

To his left sat Empress Melanie, and to his right, the Second Consort, Helena.

With perfectly painted smiles, the two women looked like finely crafted dolls.

“The final guest is late.”

At the Emperor’s remark, Duke Crowner, standing below the dais, bowed his head slightly.

He was in full armor, prepared for any possible incident.

“They’ll arrive soon, Your Majesty.”

To keep the Emperor of Ventrume waiting—such audacity.

Edwin, holding Emilia’s hand tightly, glanced at the Emperor’s face.

The Emperor looked clearly displeased with the guest who had yet to appear.

“It seems the King of Adamant is quite busy with affairs of state.”

It was an elegant insult.

Edwin blinked at the Emperor’s words and turned slightly.

Standing to his left, Lloyd was muttering under his breath.

“How dare he disrespect the ruler of the western continent like this. Lowborn blood will always show.”

Adrian, standing to Lloyd’s left, spoke flatly, “Be quiet, Lloyd. You don’t realize that speaking so carelessly on such an occasion is the real discourtesy.”

“Oh, come on. Brother Adrian, you think the same. What kind of king keeps the Emperor waiting?”

Adrian fell silent.

Though he’d reprimanded Lloyd’s behavior, he didn’t seem entirely opposed to his opinion.

“Announcing!”

At that moment, the herald outside shouted loudly.

“His Majesty King Kayden Ram of the Kingdom of Adamant requests an audience with His Imperial Majesty of the Ventrume Empire!”

Finally, the name of the last guest was announced.

The Emperor’s gaze sharpened.

“Let him enter.”

At the indifferent command, the massive marble doors opened with a heavy rumble.

As soon as they did, dazzling light poured into the hall from behind the entrance.

The nobles and imperial family gathered inside began to murmur.

“That man is the King of Adamant….”

“So that’s the so-called God of War….”

The King of Adamant had visited the Imperial Palace once before under the pretext of subjugating monsters, but that visit had been unofficial.

Those who hadn’t been present then had dropped everything just to catch a glimpse of the rumored young king in person.

“Wow….”

“…Good heavens.”

The moment King Kayden of Adamant entered the audience chamber, gasps rippled through the crowd.

“Wow, he’s so dark! So cool!”

“Shh, Lia, quiet.”

Edwin pressed a finger to his excited sister’s lips.

But his own gaze was also fixed, captivated, on the King of Adamant.

‘I didn’t notice it that day, but….’

Jet-black hair, sun-bronzed skin, and amber eyes gleaming like those of a beast.

His sharply defined, predatory features were beautiful to a terrifying degree.

‘He’s… incredible.’

Edwin stared in admiration at Kayden.

He was over six feet tall, his massive frame wrapped in a deep navy ceremonial coat.

A sleek black fur cloak draped across his broad shoulders swayed with each step, glinting faintly in the light.

Everything about him suited him perfectly.

Step, step, step.

The heavy sound of his footsteps echoed through the silent hall.

Following the red carpet laid across the floor, the King of Adamant approached the Emperor.

Behind him, his knights entered in perfect formation and stood at attention behind their king.

“Kayden Ram, King of Adamant, greets His Imperial Majesty of the Ventrume Empire.”

It was a purely formal greeting.

Neither overly humble nor impolite.

Yet Kayden’s voice carried the composure unique to those born of strength.

It was hard to believe it came from a man barely past his twenties.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, King of Adamant.”

“I apologize for my tardiness, Your Majesty. I encountered a horde of monsters on the way and had to deal with them.”

The Emperor raised one eyebrow at his words.

The displeasure he’d shown earlier vanished as he welcomed the king with a gracious smile.

“For such a reason, one must be understanding. You’ve traveled far. You have my thanks.”

“Thank you for your generosity.”

As Kayden bowed his head politely, the Emperor regarded him with a mild, practiced smile.

“I didn’t expect you to lead your delegation personally.”

“I did promise, didn’t I? That I’d stay longer during this Founding Festival.”

“I thought that was just a polite figure of speech.”

“Oh, never.”

Kayden’s lips curved faintly.

As he smiled, the noble ladies in the hall quickly raised their fans to hide their flushed faces.

“I’m a man who always keeps his word, Your Majesty.”

Polite tone, calm attitude.

Contrary to his fearsome reputation, his manner was refined and composed, leaving the nobles of the Empire secretly unsettled.

The Emperor merely smiled back at Kayden, his expression unreadable.

“It’s truly an honor.”

At that moment, the Marquis of Radcliffe, leader of the Imperial nobility, spoke up. He glanced at Duke Jerome Crowner standing opposite him.

“To think I’d live to see both the Sword of the Empire and the King of Knights standing together in one place.”

The Marquis of Radcliffe smiled pleasantly, feigning innocence.

“As a foolish old man who’s lived too long, I have a simple curiosity. Would it be all right to ask a question here?”

“Marquis, what are you—”

Even addressing the head of a delegation without the Emperor’s permission was absurd enough, but to question the King of Adamant himself?

Even as the Empire’s second most powerful man, it was a reckless breach of protocol.

Jerome frowned deeply, about to stop him.

Kayden turned toward the marquis with a smile. “Go ahead. I’m curious as well, Marquis. What is it that you wish to ask?”