Former Assassin 13

“What’s the matter?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw my foolish servants murmuring to each other. That’s all they can do. Whenever I caught such a common sight, I couldn’t help but sigh.

Thus, I decided to leave the room and take a leisurely stroll around town. However, a man in knightly attire stood before me.

If I remember correctly, he’s Rosemary’s escort knight.

“Lady Rosemary is the fiancée of a member of the royal family.”

I know, but the way he said it is quite arrogant.

“Even if you are her stepsister, if you dare to disrespect Lady Rosemary, you’ll be beheaded.”

He even bowed down to match my eye level.

Is that all he’s going to say? If so, what a waste of time.

“Oh, but you’ll lose yours first.”

“What did you say?”

What a foolish man.

The atmosphere sure is peaceful.

If this were a battlefield, I’d have finished him off already.

“Do you think you can get away with treating the daughter of your Master in this manner?”

At my words, the knight burst out laughing.

Even though my servants were nearby, no one called out the escort knight for his uncouthness.

Maybe because it’s me. 

They have no reason to help me. 

Because to them, I am a wicked girl who bullies my stepsister.

They must’ve thought that I deserved it.

“Of course I can. I am Lady Rosemary’s escort knight and Lady Rosemary is the fiancée of Prince Heinrich, a member of the royal family.”

“Because our Great Highness Heinrich has nothing better to do than stick his nose into his fiancée’s escort knight’s business.”

“How dare you mock His Highness Heinrich—!”

Seeing the knight spitting and yelling, it was my turn to laugh.

“What? You said it yourself. Prince Heinrich is behind you and Rosemary and, if I insist, he’ll punish me. Did I get it wrong?”

“Tsk—!”

Humiliated, the escort knight answered with his fist.

At the impact, my body flew like a ragdoll and crashed into the wall.

I could hear the muffled screams of the servants who watched while feigning ignorance.

I was still younger than in my previous life and had scrawny, untrained limbs that seemed like useless decorations.

“Say another word and I’ll make sure that you regret it.”

For a knight to raise his hand against the daughter of a Duke… 

…I wonder what the term ‘social status’ means to this kingdom?

In my previous life, this knight wouldn’t be able to complain even if he was decapitated on the spot.

“That’s my line.”

“Huuh?”

Rather than a knight, isn’t he just a thug?

A fearsome knight and a bunch of servants who feigned ignorance and scattered like ants, afraid of getting caught up. 

Good people sure are hard to find.

—How long can this man last?

I shot a murderous look at the man. My opponent was just a chicken. I won’t let it escape.

“Hyiii!”

The knight paled and fell on his butt. 

How funny, he’s shaking so much. 

I drew the sword hanging from his waist.

…It’s heavy.

Well, as an assassin, I mainly wielded daggers and knives, so it didn’t matter if I couldn’t use a sword.

I unsheathed the sword and swung it down at him, purposefully missing him at the last second. The sword passed by his side and struck the floor. The man, perhaps thinking that he was going to be killed, shed tears and looked at the sword that was embedded in the floor.

“You can’t even withstand this level of bloodlust? Is this sword just a toy? Doesn’t seem like it. If you can’t use it, why carry it around? Was it because it made you feel powerful? Next time you want to throw your weight around, I suggest that you have the skill to back it up. Otherwise, the next time will be your last.”

As I spoke, I exuded more bloodlust, and the man wagged his head over and over again like a bobblehead.

I drew the sword and left him. I could hear others coming.

“Why are you just sitting there?”

A man wearing the same uniform as the man sitting on the ground arrived. Must be another one of Rosemary’s escort guards.

“Are you also Rosemary’s escort knight sent by Prince Heinrich?”

“That’s right.”

When I asked, the man answered politely. That alone told me that he had more common sense than the bobblehead over there.

“This man dared to lay a hand on the Duke’s daughter. He claimed to have heard rumors that I abused Rosemary.”

I trembled as I wrapped my arms around myself.

I was still a six-year-old child. Moreover, I was supposed to be a noble lady who’d never seen blood. Pretending to be scared would work well in my favor.

The knight who arrived after hearing the commotion looked at the sword lying on the floor. I hadn’t said a word. However, I could easily guess what he was thinking at that moment.

‘My subordinate pointed his sword at a six-year-old girl.’

“You…”

“N-no, Senior, you’re mistaken…”

Hoo, so that man is his senior?

“Then why did you unsheathe your sword even though there was no emergency? Did you not threaten the Duke’s daughter with that sword?”

“…”

Even if he were to say ‘That girl threatened me’, who’d believe him? If anything, it’d sound like a lame excuse. How could a six-year-old girl threaten an adult knight?

“Lady Serena, my apologies. Were you hurt? I’ll report this to our superiors and he’ll be severely punished.”

“I’m not injured. If you punish him accordingly, I have no objection. You are knights responsible for Rosemary, Prince Heinrich’s fiancée. Always keep in mind that your actions will affect His Highness’ reputation. If you aren’t careful, you’ll be tarnishing your Master’s reputation.”

“It is as you say.”

Hehe, serve you right.

The knight who’d assaulted me was as white as a ghost, trembling at the prospect of what was about to befall him.

◇◇◇

Side: Knight

I am John Marcel.

“To think that there was a fool in the Order of Knights who dared to point his sword at a Duke’s daughter, who is only six years old…”

Today, a junior assaulted Serena Violet, the Duke’s daughter.

Poor girl, she must be scared.

I reported today’s incident to the Knight Commander.

Suddenly, it occurred to me.

“I’m not injured. If you punish him accordingly, I have no objection. You are knights responsible for Rosemary, Prince Heinrich’s fiancée. Always keep in mind that your actions will affect His Highness’ reputation. If you aren’t careful, you’ll be tarnishing your master’s reputation.”

The girl looked so dignified.

Was that truly a six-year-old girl? Somehow, darkness lingered in her eyes. Also, what made my junior so afraid?

Was he afraid of being punished for what he’d done? No, it seemed that he was already afraid from the get-go.

—Was it because of Serena Violet?

Even though he’s a knight?

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. Commander, what will the punishment be?”

“Shouldn’t it be obvious? Regardless of their social status, how could he point his sword at a child? He lacks the awareness that he possesses a weapon that can take someone’s life. Michael de Eleo is fired.”

“Are you sure? Prince Heinrich may object because he—”

“John, I am the one who has the right to appoint knights, not His Highness. If there’s anyone other than me with the right, it’ll be His Majesty the King. By objecting, Prince Heinrich will be overstepping his authority. Unlike us, any act of overstepping one’s authority by the royal family will be seen as an act of rebellion if done poorly. That’s how powerful the authority of the royal family is, even if he’s just a child.”

Even if he’s just a child…

Serena Violet may be a child, but inside—…That’s it, I’m overthinking it.

“Tell him to go pack his things. If he disagrees, he’ll be arrested.”

“Understood!”

Translator’s Note:

Local knight suffers a mental breakdown after a 6-year-old girl pointed a sword at him.