The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Guest of the Prince’s Palace (1)

‘That’s strange.’

I definitely felt a suspicious presence.

While searching around the prince’s palace, I frowned.

‘Could it be… that I imagined it?’

It was true that my senses had dulled since waking up in Rachel’s body.

Relatively speaking, of course.

‘Maybe I confused someone else’s presence with the influx of outsiders.’

After searching for a while with no results, there was no point in continuing.

Just as I was turning the corner of the long corridor to return to the main building—

Thud.

I smacked right into a solid wall.

‘What? Why’s there a wall here…?’

Holding my sore nose, I looked up to see what this mysterious wall was.

But what appeared before me wasn’t a wall, but a person.

‘What….’

A very large man.

He looked as though he was shrouded in darkness from head to toe.

But his eyes… those were brilliant gold, gleaming like starlight.

Still the same.

“It’s been a while.”

A smooth, low voice resonated beside my ear.

I unconsciously held my breath and took a step back.

“Judging by your expression, it seems you haven’t forgotten me.”

Even back then, I guessed he wasn’t ordinary. The titles strung along his name at such a young age, the physique hidden beneath his clothes, and the aura he gave off.

‘But to this extent….’

I silently looked up at Kayden.

There was no presence coming from him at all. Even though he was standing right before me, it was like he wasn’t really here.

“Seeing you up close like this, your eye color is quite unique.”

Kayden gazed at me quietly, then smiled faintly. A strange glimmer flickered in his golden eyes.

“…Sorry?”

What’s with that all of a sudden?

I blinked in confusion at the man.

“I like it.”

Now this was beyond absurd; it was downright unpleasant.

He suddenly appeared, nearly broke my nose, and then had the nerve to spout nonsense about liking my eyes.

‘If I could, I’d love to test whether his philtrum or my fist is harder… but I guess I’ll have to hold it in.’

I was a nanny, and he was the king of a nation.

So there was only one thing I could do right now.

“…It’s an honor to meet Your Majesty, King Kayden.”

Reluctantly, I bowed my head, and from above came the sound of suppressed laughter.

When I frowned and looked up, my eyes met Kayden’s.

“That’s quite the expression.”

“…May I ask what kind of expression that is?”

“Hmm, a very amusing one.”

My hand twitched with the urge to punch him, but before I could act—

“Nanny! Nannyyyy! Nooo!”

From afar, Catherine came running in a fluster.

Really now, what did I even do this time that she’s shouting ‘no’ before checking the situation?

“Head Maid.”

“Huff, huff, Nanny, um….”

Panting, Catherine finally reached me. She was so out of breath she could barely speak.

“Haa, I’m sorry I’m late. Her Highness Emilia suddenly said she urgently needed to use the restroom….”

If it was Emilia, that was perfectly understandable.

She must’ve been standing in the Imperial Palace since dawn, greeting every envoy and delegation.

Honestly, it was impressive she’d held it in for so long.

“Haa, haa…. Ah, I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I can’t believe I left such an esteemed guest waiting. Please forgive me….”

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

Kayden smiled kindly at the still-breathless Catherine.

“It was unavoidable, so of course I understand.”

“T-thank you, Your Majesty. I’m truly grateful for your understanding.”

Catherine bowed deeply, her face flushed red.

Why was she fidgeting like that all of a sudden? Odd.

Kayden looked around the area, then turned back to me. “By the way, I’m not sure where I’m supposed to stay. Could you show me the way?”

“Oh my, how could I forget! I’ll guide you right away, Your Majesty. Please, follow me….”

Catherine hurried to take the lead.

“Before that, I believe I haven’t received an apology yet.”

“Pardon? An apology?”

“Not from you. From her.”

Kayden turned slightly toward me.

“You bumped into my chest without so much as a word of apology, didn’t you?”

Shouldn’t I be the one getting an apology here? He was the one strutting around with a chest like a brick wall, nearly shattering someone’s nose in the process.

“Did that really happen? My goodness, Nanny, please apologize to His Majesty right now!”

Ah, why did I have to wake up in a nanny’s body? If only I’d woken up in the Emperor’s, I could’ve beaten up anyone I didn’t like to my heart’s content.

“…I’m sorry,” I reluctantly muttered an apology.

“Please forgive the rudeness I’ve shown Your Majesty.”

“Not ‘Your Majesty.’ Call me  Kayden.”

A response I hadn’t expected came out of the man’s mouth.

“…Excuse me?”

“I’ll forgive your rudeness, so call me Your Majesty Kayden.”

It was unexpected.

I thought he’d be authoritative, given that he was the founder of a nation, but instead of demanding reverence, he told me to call his name.

‘He must be the type to mingle easily with his subordinates.’

Well, since he was born a commoner, maybe he didn’t care much for status differences.

“Understood, Your Majesty Kayden.”

As I obediently replied, his eyes curved beautifully.

“Then it’s your turn now.”

My turn? What turn?

I gave him a confused look, and he added, “Your name.”

“…You’re asking for my name?”

“I realized I never got to ask when we met last time.”

Why would he want to know my name?

Why would a king of a nation be curious about the name of a prince’s nanny?

My eyes must have shown wariness, because Kayden added as if reading my mind, “I’m asking simply out of curiosity, so don’t be so guarded. Everyone knows my name, but I don’t know everyone else’s.”

He smiled softly at me, who was still silent.

“Is it so strange that I want to know the names of the people who know me?”

His tone was unexpectedly mild, unlike his suspicious entrance.

Just looking at him, I would’ve thought he’d force me to speak if I didn’t answer.

“…Rachel Brown.”

“Rachel, huh.”

Kayden murmured my name, then smiled.

“A fitting name for a nanny.”

As he walked past me, he muttered to himself with a trace of laughter. The tone made it clear he was teasing me.

“Though you don’t seem very suited for that position.”

What?

I frowned and turned my head, but Kayden was already far ahead.

“By the way, Your Majesty’s chamber is prepared with a bath attached. As for your meal….”

Catherine’s voice faded as she hurried to guide him.

I glared at the backs of the two walking away.

‘He smells suspicious.’

From King Kayden Ram of Adamant came the same scent as Duke Jerome Crowner.

The scent of a strong man, and something rotten behind it.

‘He’s definitely the type with two faces.’

Ha, said my eyes are beautiful?

I shuddered as I recalled his words.

‘Even Ian never said something that cringeworthy.’

I’d expected better from a founding king.

To think he’d be the type to flirt with nonsense the moment he meets a woman.

‘Better keep my distance. Getting involved with him would only cause trouble.’

Judging by his presence, Kayden was at least on par with Jerome, or even stronger.

If he ever found out my true identity, things would get messy.

Though there was another, even bigger reason.

‘If he starts spouting that nonsense about my eyes again, I’ll have no escape.’

I, Rachel Brown, wasn’t a noble by birth, and I was an unmarried woman.

Even if I was the prince’s nanny, I’d have no choice but to endure it if a prince from another kingdom openly showed interest.

‘At least it’s a relief I won’t have to attend him personally since I can’t train Edwin right now anyway.’

Avoiding a guest who’d be staying in the prince’s palace throughout the Founding Festival would be extremely annoying and troublesome.

But there was no other way. A bomb doesn’t dodge people—people dodge bombs.

“How annoying.”

I walked slowly, a tired expression on my face.

Completely unaware of what this guest’s presence in the prince’s palace would bring.

***

Splash.

The massive marble bath filled with hot spring water rippled gently.

Kayden was half-submerged, running his hand through his dark hair.

His black hair, grown to his neck, gleamed even darker against the steam.

“Transmit.”

At that moment, Kayden spoke a single word.

Then, from beneath the water, a small crystal orb floated up into the air.

Buzz.

The orb vibrated faintly and projected a translucent screen into the air.

On the screen appeared a small-framed man.

The man blinked in surprise upon seeing Kayden through the projection.

[Your Majesty Kayden?]

With his long, braided dark-purple hair and perpetually half-closed eyes, it was hard to tell whether he was awake or asleep.

The man’s name was Aurel Dragoon.

He was the chief court mage of Adamant and known as Kayden’s right hand in the kingdom.