BLOOD OATH

CHAPTER SIX : THE MAFIA PRINCE

CHAPTER SIX

THE MAFIA PRINCE

My footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor as I followed Olivia through the endless corridors of the empire.

Two guards walked ahead of us while another two followed behind.

I lowered my gaze, pretending to admire the architecture.

In reality...

I was memorizing everything.

Every hallway.

Every staircase.

Every exit.

Every guard rotation.

An assassin who failed to observe was already dead.

"This way," Olivia said.

We turned another corner.

Paintings decorated the walls, while expensive flower vases stood at every interval.

The empire was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

It almost made me forget it belonged to one of the cruelest men in Thorns.

Almost.

We finally stopped before two gigantic mahogany doors.

Two guards standing outside pushed them open at the same time.

The dining hall came into view.

It wasn't crowded as I expected.

A long dining table occupied the center of the room.

At its far end sat only one person.

I frowned.

That...

was Cassian?

For a moment, I wondered if we had entered the wrong room.

He wasn't dressed like the son of a mafia boss.

No expensive jewelry.

No intimidating expression.

No bodyguards surrounding him.

Just a simple white shirt with the sleeves rolled halfway up, dark trousers, and slightly messy black hair.

He was smiling at one of the maids.

Actually smiling.

The maid bowed slightly after placing a glass of water before him.

"Thank you, Grace," he said warmly.

"You're welcome, Young Master."

She smiled back before leaving.

I blinked.

He thanked her?

What kind of mafia prince thanked servants?

"This is today's final dish, Young Master," Olivia announced.

Cassian looked up.

His eyes landed on me briefly before returning to the food.

No lingering stare.

No obvious admiration.

Nothing.

That was...

unexpected.

Most men couldn't even look away after seeing me.

Even beneath layers of makeup.

But him?

Nothing.

Good.

That made my work easier.

"This is from the new applicant?" he asked.

"Yes."

He nodded before picking up the spoon.

The aroma reached him first.

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Spicy."

Olivia sighed.

"I warned her."

"I see."

He scooped a mouthful into his mouth.

Silence filled the room.

Everyone watched him.

Including me.

His chewing slowed.

Then completely stopped.

His eyes widened.

"What the..."

The spoon slipped from his fingers.

Olivia's face immediately turned pale.

"My goodness..."

Before anyone could react...

Cassian suddenly grabbed the plate with both hands.

Then...

He began eating.

Fast.

Very fast.

Spoon after spoon disappeared into his mouth.

His eyes watered.

His nose became red.

Yet he didn't stop.

One servant hurried forward.

"Young Master, water!"

Cassian ignored him.

Another spoonful.

Then another.

Within a minute...

The plate was completely empty.

I folded my arms proudly.

Obviously.

The hall remained silent.

Everyone stared.

Olivia looked as though she'd seen a ghost.

One of the guards blinked repeatedly.

The servants exchanged confused glances.

Cassian slowly placed the plate back on the table.

A single tear rolled down his cheek.

Not because he was crying.

Because of the pepper.

He let out a satisfied breath.

"...Amazing."

Olivia almost choked.

"Young Master?"

He looked toward me.

"What is your name?"

"Isabella."

"Full name."

"Isabella Morris."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"You made this?"

"Yes."

He smiled.

"I've never tasted anything like it."

Of course you haven't.

He stood up.

"No more tasting today."

Olivia frowned.

"But there are still—"

"I've found my chef."

The entire room froze.

"But Young Master..."

"I said I've found my chef."

His tone remained gentle.

Yet somehow...

No one argued further.

He looked at me once more.

"I'll be looking forward to your cooking."

With that, he turned around and left the dining hall.

The servants quickly followed after him.

Only Olivia and I remained.

She turned toward me slowly.

"I've worked here for fifteen years."

I waited.

"I've never..."

She shook her head.

"...never seen him finish an entire meal in one sitting."

I simply smiled.

"Then today is full of firsts."

Olivia stared at me for a few more seconds.

"You'll begin work immediately."

"I understand."

She called toward the doorway.

"Maria."

The cheerful girl from the kitchen hurried inside.

"Yes, Lady Olivia?"

"Show Isabella around."

Maria's face lit up.

"She got in?"

Olivia nodded.

"Young Master chose her."

Maria clapped happily before rushing toward me.

"Oh my goodness!"

She grabbed both my hands.

"You actually did it!"

I looked down at our joined hands.

She was...

holding my hands.

Without permission.

Strange girl.

"I knew you would!" she continued excitedly.

"I didn't."

"You say that now, but I knew it."

I gently pulled my hands away.

She didn't seem offended.

Instead, she smiled even brighter.

"Come on!"

She started walking.

I followed behind.

"I'll show you everything."

As we walked through the empire, Maria spoke almost nonstop.

"That's the west courtyard."

She pointed ahead.

"The training grounds are over there."

Another point.

"The garden belongs mostly to Young Miss Serena."

Then another.

"The east wing is where Master Ethan usually handles business."

I quietly stored every piece of information in my mind.

She was unknowingly making my mission much easier.

"And..."

She lowered her voice dramatically.

"The northern wing belongs to Young Master Cassian."

My eyes shifted slightly.

"So no one enters without permission."

Interesting.

Very interesting.

We continued walking until we reached the servants' quarters.

Maria stopped before a wooden door.

"This is our room."

"Our room?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"The empire assigns roommates."

She pushed the door open.

The room was simple but clean.

Two beds.

A wardrobe.

A small table.

Fresh flowers rested on the windowsill.

I frowned slightly.

Flowers.

Of course.

"I hope you don't mind sharing with me," Maria said.

"I talk a lot."

"I noticed."

She laughed.

"You'll get used to me."

I doubted that.

She placed my small bag on one of the beds.

"From today onward..."

She turned toward me with another bright smile.

"...welcome to the empire, Isabella."

I looked around the room.

Two months.

That was all I needed.

Two months to uncover Ethan's secrets.

Two months to kill Cassian.

Two months...

To leave this place forever.

Or so I believed.