The voice that broke the silence was low, cold enough to send a chill through the air.
It was then that Demon realized the feelings Reese harbored toward Eil were far more than simple fondness.
She doesn't even look like an assassin, he thought. And despite it only being the beginning, she's done a surprisingly good job catering to the young master's impossible temperament.
Because of that, he'd assumed Reese had merely taken a slight liking to a maid close to his own age—something rare, but not impossible.
Now, however, he understood.
Reese's emotions ran much deeper than that.
Curiosity. Interest. And... a touch of contempt.
An unusual combination of feelings, perhaps, but not an incomprehensible one.
After all, it had not even been ten years since the Duchess had been murdered by an assassin.
Before the wounds of that tragedy had faded, another assassin had appeared before him.
It was only natural that Reese would harbor hostility.
So that's why he compared her to an insect.
To put it kindly, she was nothing more than a toy.
Something too intriguing to throw away immediately, so he kept it nearby—for the time being.
Fortunately... or perhaps unfortunately... his young master possessed a merciless habit.
Anything that had been tainted, even slightly, was discarded without hesitation.
Sooner or later, Eil would be thrown away as well.
She had to be.
They could not afford to lose another master to an assassin.
"Demon."
Reese rose from his seat.
"After we're done eating, Eil and I are going to the arena."
On the outskirts of the imperial capital, Erlet, lay a sprawling entertainment district known simply as the Back Alley.
Among its countless establishments, none earned more money than the fighting arena.
Naturally, that also meant it attracted endless trouble.
Officially, it operated as a legal establishment.
In reality, it was little more than an elaborate gambling den that danced around the law.
Its patrons were not nobles but laborers who scraped together enough for their next meal, making it impossible for the place to maintain any semblance of refinement.
"I'll prepare the covert carriage."
"No."
Reese shook his head.
"Bring the flashy one. The more attention it draws, the better."
Demon paused.
"...Are you testing her patience?"
A slanted smile appeared beneath Reese's hood.
If an extravagant carriage rolled into a place like that, every eye in the district would turn toward it.
And with those eyes would come endless provocations.
"Who knows..."
Last night, Reese had confirmed something.
For some reason, Eil genuinely intended to protect him.
An assassin who sought to guard her target instead of killing him.
The contradiction fascinated him.
The Back Alley was a place where everyone eventually revealed their ugliest selves.
Would Eil be able to suppress her assassin instincts until the very end?
The twisted curiosity stirred pleasantly within Reese.
After changing into clothes suitable for going out, Eil stepped outside and found Reese waiting by the mansion's front gate.
She swallowed nervously.
Even with his face hidden beneath that robe... he still carries himself like nobility.
Until he came of age, Reese was forbidden from appearing publicly.
Whenever he left the estate, he was required to wear black robes that concealed his identity.
It was an old rule of House Cassio, meant to keep the family's mysterious power from becoming known to the outside world.
Still... we're heading to the Back Alley. I assumed we'd use a discreet carriage.
She hurried to the gate—
Then stared blankly upward.
The carriage waiting before them gleamed so brilliantly beneath the sun that it was almost painful to look at.
Pure white marble.
Countless decorations fashioned from solid gold.
It shone like a moving treasure vault.
"...Young Master."
She looked at Reese with trembling eyes.
"Are we... really taking this?"
Reese gently lifted his hood enough to meet her gaze.
We're going into the underworld in this? You may as well announce to the entire city that you're a noble!
Technically, anyone could visit the Back Alley regardless of social status.
But no one openly revealed who they were there.
Especially nobles.
Not unless they wished to be robbed blind and disappear without a trace.
"Mm."
Reese's violet eyes curved pleasantly.
"What do you think? Do you like it?"
"Well... it is... beautiful..."
That's exactly the problem! It's way too beautiful!
Eil could only stare in disbelief.
Apparently, Reese saw absolutely nothing wrong with it.
"I'm glad you like it."
Looking thoroughly satisfied, Reese climbed into the carriage.
Eil, meanwhile, barely managed to swallow the words Have you completely lost your mind?
Surely he hasn't figured out who I am and is doing this just to torment me...
She let out a slow breath to calm herself.
Though... maybe one punch would knock some sense into him. That's usually how my teammates handled these situations.
Just as she was about to board—
"Miss Eil, one moment."
She turned.
A man with black hair tinged faintly blue and matching eyes approached, carrying an oddly enigmatic air.
"I've been occupied, so our introduction comes late."
He bowed politely.
"I'm Demon Hyres, the young master's aide."
"I'm Eil."
She returned the greeting.
"It's an honor to serve the young master alongside you."
The Hyres family was among the Empire's most prestigious noble houses, renowned for founding the Hyres Academy—a symbol of their devotion to scholarship.
Eil already knew exactly who Demon was.
She had investigated everyone surrounding Reese long ago.
Still, she feigned ignorance.
"I simply wished to offer one piece of advice before your first outing."
After listening quietly to his warning, Eil climbed aboard the carriage.
Soon, the scenery outside the window began flowing rapidly past.
"Eil."
Seated across from her, Reese kept his eyes on the passing streets.
"What did Demon tell you?"
So he had noticed.
She had assumed he'd boarded too early to hear anything.
Demon's words resurfaced in her mind.
"The young master is extremely sensitive to cleanliness. There tends to be a great deal of trash around the arena, so please make sure to keep the surroundings tidy."
She had expected something far more serious.
Instead, it had sounded like nothing more than simple advice.
"He was just giving me a few reminders."
Before long, the carriage rolled to a stop.
Eil stared blankly out the window.
We actually came all the way here... in this thing.
Fatigue washed over her.
At this point, we've definitely become everyone's target.
By now, word had undoubtedly spread through the Back Alley.
A clueless noble who doesn't know the first thing about this place has arrived.
There was no prey easier to fleece than the ignorant.
They would attract predators from every corner.
"Eil."
Reese stepped out first before extending his hand toward her.
"Take my hand."
"Ah... I'll be fine."
"The coachman forgot the step stool. Hurry."
She looked down.
Sure enough, the step used when they departed was nowhere to be seen.
Left with no choice, she accepted Reese's hand.
"...Thank you."
His hand was large.
Warm.
The comforting heat stood in stark contrast to her own cool fingers.
The simple kindness felt strangely out of place amid such a dangerous situation.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she quietly withdrew her hand.
At once, she felt countless gazes settle upon them.
Reese, an ordinary noble, remained oblivious.
But Eil was an assassin.
She could feel the murderous intent pouring toward them from every direction, prickling against her skin.
Protecting my target without exposing my identity...
This might be a little troublesome.
Even the arena guide waiting to receive them seemed shaken upon seeing the carriage.
"R-right this way..."
They followed him into the narrow alley leading to the arena entrance.
Then, just as Eil had feared—
It happened.
"Hey there, Lord Noble."
A rough voice called out.
"How about showing a little generosity to your less fortunate neighbors?"
Another man grinned, eyeing the magnificent carriage.
"Judging by that ride, you've got plenty of money. Let's settle this peacefully."
He held up his fingers.
"Ten gold coins."
A group of obvious thugs blocked the alley.
Their lazy, mocking gestures made it clear they looked down on the newcomers.
Ten gold coins.
More than ten times the average commoner's income.
They demanded it as though it were pocket change.
...Ah.
So that's what Demon meant by 'trash.'
Suppressing a laugh, Eil finally understood.
Telling an ordinary maid something like that could only mean one thing.
Even if it costs your life, protect the young master.
Demon...
It seems he really doesn't like me.
The absence of bodyguards had already hinted as much.
For someone supposedly so concerned about Reese's safety, Demon had entrusted everything to her alone.
She had no idea why the man disliked her on their very first meeting.
But regardless of the reason—
She couldn't fight openly in front of Reese.
As far as everyone knew, Eil was nothing more than an ordinary maid.
It's not difficult.
Just annoying.
These men barely qualified as obstacles.
Who do they think they're dealing with?
I'm one of Black Rose's elite assassins.
A faint smile curved Eil's lips as calm confidence filled her eyes.
