An Unexpected Proposal

August 24, 2020

“When did it start?”

“Our master has always been one.”

“Then, our first meeting that day wasn’t a coincidence, was it?”

“I’m sorry. There was no other way to earn your trust, my lady.”

At the calm confession, Lady Morco squeezed her eyes shut. Even though she had been betrayed, she couldn’t bring herself to raise her sword against the children. There were too many happy memories to cut away so easily.

But…

Her grip on the sword tightened. She didn’t know what the Emperor’s true goal was, but if she hesitated now, Alicia’s life would be at stake. And she was not alone. Lady Morco swallowed the thick taste of iron rising in her throat.

“The Emperor! His Majesty—the Emperor sent you, didn’t he!? I am His Majesty’s loyal subject! So hurry and get rid of this woman!”

Veloa’s voice rang out in glee.

Sirin didn’t respond. Instead, she threw down her staff and drew her sword.

“If you were going to do this, you should’ve acted sooner. With your status, disposing of a slave would’ve been simple.”

“There is an order to all things.”

“What… Arghhh!”

Veloa let out a scream and tumbled onto the snowy ground, rolling in pain. Droplets of blood fell from the tip of Sirin’s sword, still fresh and glistening.

“Aaaah! It hurts! How dare you do this to me and think you’ll live, ugh!”

“Don’t hold too much resentment. I’m simply following orders.”

The moment Sirin’s sword swung again toward Veloa, a sharp, shimmering blade sliced through the air.

“Kh…!”

“It’s unwise to push yourself, my lady.”

Sirin easily parried Lady Morco’s attack and clicked her tongue. A faint aura lingered around her blade.

“You were hiding your skills.”

“I simply saw no need to stand out.”@@novelbin@@

“…Whose orders are you following? Are you truly one of His Majesty’s people?”

“There is no need for you to know.”

The dead do not speak. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Sirin’s lips.