The Prince’s Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 171

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 171. Trap (2)

“A woman? You said a woman?”

Ian’s eyes narrowed.

He crossed his arms and tapped his forearm with his fingers.

“What did she look like?”

“She was a woman with brown hair. I couldn’t make out her specific features because she was wearing her hood pulled down low.”

A woman with brown hair.

Ian’s eyebrow twitched slightly at a memory that flashed through his mind.

– Don’t touch me!

A sharp voice and anxious gaze.

The woman who had fled the scene as if running away while embracing the 3rd Princess.

‘Those eyes.’

Ian recalled a certain woman he had encountered in the Imperial Capital.

A woman who was the spitting image of someone he knew, with those mysterious eyes.

‘She looked exactly like her.’

Ian recalled the name of the woman he had once loved most, and therefore came to hate most.

‘Kayla.’

Ian looked down at his own hands.

Even now, the sensation of stabbing her back with a dagger was vivid.

– I-Ian, please…

The gaze full of fear and confusion as she looked up at him, and her trembling voice calling his name. Though it had already been a year, the memory was as clear as if it had happened last night.

“Master? What’s wrong?”

The Shadow watched Ian’s expression as he remained silent.

He seemed worried that his words might have displeased him.

“…Even in death, you continue to torment me, Kayla.”

Ian muttered to himself with a bitter smile.

Even now, she appeared in his dreams every day, asserting her overwhelming presence.

As if she were still alive even now.

‘…Surely that couldn’t be possible.’

Sometimes intuition was more accurate than logic.

Ian thought this was one of those times.

“Tell the shadow we have planted in the Imperial Palace.”

He spoke after a moment of contemplation.

“Have them investigate a woman among the maids working in the 3rd Prince’s Palace, one with brown hair and green eyes.”

“The 3rd Prince’s Palace?”

The Shadow looked at Ian with surprised eyes.

“Didn’t The Second Imperial Consort order us to withdraw surveillance on the 3rd Prince’s Palace?”

“Your master is me, not The Second Imperial Consort. Isn’t that right?”

Ian turned his head with a cold smile.

A murderous gaze that made one’s heart sink flew toward The Shadow.

“…I apologize, I will follow your orders.”

The Shadow immediately bowed his head and asked in a respectful voice.

“Then should I just investigate this woman? Or should I take separate measures?”

“For now, just investigate. But find out everything from her name and age to even the most trivial details and report back.”

Ian slowly straightened his body.

He continued speaking while smoothing his slightly wrinkled collar.

“The preparations for the next extermination site are all finished, right?”

“Yes, please don’t worry about that matter.”

The Shadow answered with a confident voice, unlike before.

“We received word from The Holy Kingdom that they have made full preparations.”

“What about the mercenary group?”

“They are also standing by, ready to move as soon as you give the order, Master.”

Ian showed a satisfied expression for the first time at his answer.

“Good.”

“Oh, about The Prophet…”

“Forget it. You probably couldn’t capture him anyway.”

The Shadow closed his mouth as if ashamed at Ian’s words.

“It was expected. That guy’s guardian is no ordinary person.”

Ian waved his hand lightly as if it didn’t matter.

“The Prophet matter can wait, so focus more on the subjugation campaign for now. We’ve managed to seize a good opportunity.”

“Understood, then.”

The Shadow bowed respectfully and disappeared back into the darkness.

Whoooosh.

The night wind passed by, tousling Ian’s hair.

Gentle moonlight flowed down over his forehead.

“It will rain tomorrow.”

The Man who killed his lover showed an utterly cheerful smile.

“It will be a good day to carry out our plan.”

Along with those meaningful words.

* * *

Whinny.

The second morning of the subjugation campaign.

Edwin’s horse was being unusually restless today.

“Why is he acting like this?”

“It’s probably because the weather is overcast.”

I gently patted Edwin’s horse’s flank while looking up at the sky.

“It might rain.”

The sky full of dark clouds looked ominous, as if it would pour rain at any moment.

“What? Really?”

Edwin frowned and gripped the reins tightly.

“They said monsters become more violent when it rains…”

Weather was naturally fickle.

If rain suddenly poured during the subjugation, there would be nothing more troublesome.

‘If the ground gets wet, troublesome monsters might emerge too.’

Most monsters only operated above ground, but there were exceptions.

Monsters that only crawled up to the surface when it rained were twice as difficult to deal with.

“I’m worried too, but.”

I continued speaking while draping a poncho raincoat over Edwin.

“Worrying about it now won’t help anything, so let’s get moving.”

Gloria’s 1st and 2nd Knight Orders led by the 1st Prince’s unit were already far ahead.

“Ride my horse this time.”

I seated Edwin in front of me and gripped the reins.

He looked puzzled, as if he didn’t understand why we needed to ride together.

“Um, wouldn’t it be more dangerous to ride together if the weather is bad?”

“That’s exactly why we’re riding together.”

If he slipped off the horse or if the horse got excited and bucked because of monsters, Edwin could get seriously hurt.

But if we rode together, I could somehow protect him.

“Then what about my horse?”

“I connected the reins to the back of the saddle. He’ll follow along fine on his own.”

Edwin’s horse was a gentle creature, though a bit timid.

Seeing my horse, which is bigger than me, taking the lead, he should follow along well.

“Then let’s depart, ha!”

When I struck the reins, the black horse moved powerfully, kicking its hooves.

Behind us, Edwin’s horse and the 3rd Knight Order followed.

“The next extermination site is two hours away from here.”

I looked down at the crown of Edwin’s head sitting in front of me.

“If you get tired, lean against me and get some sleep.”

“It’s fine, Kayl must be tired too, so I can’t do that.”

Edwin straightened his back even more and spoke spiritedly.

“I won’t sleep a wink until we arrive!”

“We might have to fight monsters immediately upon reaching the extermination site.”

“That’s still fine!”

The young prince shook his head firmly.

“Not just Kayl, but the other knights are also riding without rest and then immediately subjugating monsters. I can’t be the only one resting.”

What an honest fellow.

If it were me, I would have taken a quick nap the moment I had the chance.

“Do as you’re comfortable.”

“Yeah!”

Thirty minutes passed like that, and Edwin soon began nodding off drowsily.

Every time the horse’s hooves struck the ground, his small head swayed in all directions.

‘He could have just said he wanted to sleep.’

Should I call it spirited, or unnecessarily stubborn.

I eventually made Edwin’s head, who had fallen fast asleep, lean against my chest.

“Wow, Kayl seems more like a caretaker than a guard.”

It was a comment that suddenly hit right on the mark.

I turned to the side with an expressionless face.

“Shouldn’t you be in the rear, Pinet?”

“I switched with Bata. That’s fine, right?”

Pinet, who had approached from the side, tilted his head.

He looked at Edwin sleeping soundly in my arms and chuckled.

“Even if he’s The Prince, a child is still a child. Well, this is such a grueling forced march that even most adults couldn’t endure it.”

Pinet pulled up his hood as raindrops began to fall lightly.

He continued speaking with a furrowed brow.

“I, honestly, was very worried about this subjugation campaign.”

How absurd. Is there anyone who doesn’t worry when going on a subjugation campaign.

Unable to find anything particular to say in response, I was just quietly guiding my horse when—

“I was worried about what would happen if Prince Edwin lost his life.”

“…Pinet.”

“What I mean is, I’m glad someone like Kayl is in charge of The Prince’s protection.”

Pinet waved his hand as if to say don’t misunderstand.

“I’m one of the people who sincerely wants Prince Edwin to be happy.”

The fellow showed me that mischievous smile of his.

“So let’s work hard together for Prince Edwin’s sake in this subjugation campaign.”

A bright face without any ulterior motives.

I stared intently at Pinet before opening my mouth.

“Why is that.”

“Pardon?”

“Why do you wish for Prince Edwin’s happiness?”

It was pure curiosity.

He’s not blood-related family, and there wouldn’t be any benefits falling to him from Edwin’s happiness.

‘Oh, there might be some.’

If he achieves merit together with Edwin, the 3rd Knight Order’s status would rise too.

Then Pinet could also become a knight recognized by society.

“Well, isn’t that natural?”

I waited for an obvious answer to come from Pinet’s mouth.

But the fellow said something completely different from what I expected.

“Prince Edwin is The Prince, but he’s also a member of the 3rd Knight Order who struggled alongside us.”

“You think of The Prince as a comrade?”

“Yes, though thinking that way might be disrespectful to The Prince…”

Pinet spoke while looking at Edwin’s sleeping face.

“When a person gets to know another person, from that moment on, they can’t help but wish for that person’s happiness.”

He smiled softly while watching Edwin smack his lips in his sleep.

“Moreover, what adult would wish unhappiness upon such a small child? Don’t you think so?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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