‘There’s a lot I’ll remember before leaving, too.’
If I had to pick just one thing, I’d probably miss Del’s fluffy fur the most.
Those distinct, limp, fluttering pointed ears, and even that thick, fur—no, tail—that looked almost like it had a will of its own.
I’m not usually the type to get sentimental like this, but once the thought started, all these tiny lingering attachments kept surfacing without end.
‘Well… they’re people from a world I’ll never see again.’
To begin with, this wasn’t a place someone like me was meant to step into.
I’m a commoner without even a surname, and aside from the regular maids, everyone here—even the attendants and handmaids—are all children of noble families. This is the grand residence of Duke Casio.
A place where the amount of money an ordinary commoner could live comfortably on for a lifetime is treated like loose change. From the very foundation, we are different.
When I was younger, I think I used to feel a sense of deprivation about that, but now I don’t really care.
Unlike the nobles who are bound to one place, I have the freedom to go anywhere without worrying about others’ eyes.
“Honestly, this has been the most fun job I’ve ever done.”
The higher the reward, the harder the mission tends to be, but this long-term assignment had been rather peaceful.
Aside from taking out a few assassins who came after the target, there hadn’t really been much fighting…
‘Once I pay off my debt and still have money left, I’ll go to Terasa.’
Moonlight seeped through the window where the crow had just been.
When I was very young, I feel like I once watched a full moon just like that while being held in someone’s arms.
“…Just a little longer. I can get there.”
Terasa was a port city in the eastern part of the empire that I had dreamed about since I was a child.
The place I had only ever seen in books was practically my life’s goal.
People strolling along golden beaches where white waves crash, the salty scent that makes your nose wrinkle, the damp smell of the sea, and the distant sound of ship horns echoing from dawn.
Maybe it was my way of rewarding the fiercely lived days of my childhood once I became an adult.
Whatever the circumstances, I had to clear my debts first if I wanted to go there.
“And since it’s far away, I’ll need solid travel expenses… It’s called the city of abundance, so I’ll need some capital to live there too.”
I had repeated this plan countless times, but today it felt different.
Maybe it was because I finally felt certain that I could go once this mission was over.
‘If I stay any longer, I might really grow attached… I should cut it off here.’
There was a limit to how much I could truly accept the kindness I’d received from everyone since entering the duke’s residence.
I had infiltrated this place while hiding the fact that I was an assassin, so I couldn’t afford to give or receive affection carelessly.
That’s what it meant to separate work from personal feelings.
Everything about how I treated them was nothing but acting and lies.
But for how long?
‘I can’t keep doing this… I’m not even an adult yet.’
The yellow moonlight shattered into pieces between my slowly closing eyelids.
Tap, tap.
The sound of something pecking at the window made my eyes snap open.
I shot upright, and the crow pacing by the window placed what it had been holding onto the sill before quickly flying off.
“Ugh, it’s damp.”
I picked up the letter the crow had left with my fingertips and sighed before tossing it onto the table.
I’d told them to ask the captain to change the messenger bird, but it seemed Cheblin had forgotten.
Or maybe he didn’t say anything on purpose because he was sulking.
Flapping my hand to dry it a little, I slowly unfolded the still slightly damp and musty letter.
“…Huh?”
The first thing I saw, written in bold at the top, was:
‘Request for mission termination denied due to insufficient investigation and lack of evidence.’
That part wasn’t unexpected.
I had submitted what was basically speculation as a report, so it made sense.
I’d only hoped, just in case.
But the real issue was something else.
The short note written below contained information I didn’t know.
So that meant Cheblin…
“Cheblin saw the target using their power in the arena…?”
It also said he mentioned “drum barrel,” claiming I’d understand.
He didn’t know any further details either, so I was instructed to investigate more.
“Drum barrel… I do remember that.”
There was no way I could forget that bizarre scene where countless people were crowding around, sticking their heads into a drum as if it were filled with gold.
But if that hadn’t happened over half a month ago, I wouldn’t be this flustered.
It seemed Cheblin had only just reported it to the captain after forgetting about it all this time.
What was even more ridiculous was that I had been right next to him at the time—so why hadn’t he said anything then?
I really should’ve yanked his cheek harder back then.
“And how exactly am I supposed to investigate now?”
Since it had already been two weeks, finding that drum again was out of the question…
“I can’t exactly ask the target if they used their power back then… sigh.”
That left only one option: go back to the arena and find people who had been there, and hear what they remembered.
Even if it was brief, I had spoken with some of them, so if anyone was going to investigate, I was more suited for it than Cheblin.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t taken a single day off yet, have I?”
From the moment I entered this place as a maid, I had never even considered taking a break.
A day off? As if. Every single day is a mission for me.
Still, if I got leave, I could go out freely, so I’d have to bring it up casually to Lis.
Of course, I couldn’t say I was going to the arena to investigate, so I’d need a plausible excuse.
‘A family matter always works anywhere.’
Since it was almost time for him to wake up, I figured I’d ask while attending to his morning routine.
After quickly washing up and fixing my appearance, I headed straight to Lis’s bedroom.
Knock, knock.
When I knocked, a voice from inside told me to come in.
As I opened the door, Lis, with wet hair and a white robe draped over him, turned to look at me while sitting on a chair.
Since the day I first became his personal maid and accidentally saw him naked, he had started waking up early to finish showering before I arrived.
I still didn’t know why, though…
“You’re up early again today, young master.”
“Mm, I have a lot to do.”
Drying his hair had practically become my fixed first task.
Once I confirmed his hair was mostly dry, I naturally moved closer as he spread his arms, helping him get dressed.
Recently, Lis had been obediently wearing whatever clothes I chose without complaint.
He had a face that would suit anything, and all the clothes in the dressing room were top quality anyway, so it wasn’t like I put much thought into it…
‘…Let’s not mention that I just pick whatever. He seems satisfied.’
As I fastened the silver buttons of his dark jacket over an indigo velvet vest embroidered with gold thread and a thin cravat, Lis spoke in a slightly husky morning voice.
“I’ve been thinking this for a while, but you have good taste in clothes, Ail. Have you picked outfits for men before?”
At his question, I slowly nodded.
“Yes, well… quite a lot.”
It was due to my environment. My colleagues in Black Rose all dressed like they grabbed whatever they saw, so I often ended up choosing their outfits for them.
Since assassins usually wear black anyway, it didn’t happen too often, which was a relief.
But why was it…
Lis’s violet eyes narrowed slightly.
Huh? I feel like I’ve seen that expression somewhere before.
It looked exactly like Cheblin’s face when he was sulking after getting smacked on the head by me…
“Oh, so you’ve done it a lot.”
The corner of Lis’s lips twisted oddly as he replied.
Why is he smiling like that all of a sudden?
“Haha, yes. Quite a lot!”
…For now, let’s just laugh along.
