BLOOD OATH

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER NINE

A PRINCE WITHOUT PRIDE

Word spread through the empire before sunset.

Young Master Cassian was getting married.

Every servant, guard and maid had something to say about it.

The kitchen was no exception.

"I knew it would happen one day."

"I heard Lady Xena cried when she received the news."

"They've known each other since childhood."

"They'll make a beautiful couple."

Voices filled every corner of the kitchen.

I continued cutting vegetables without looking up.

Marriage?

Not my concern.

If anything, it made my mission easier.

A wedding meant confusion.

Confusion created opportunities.

"I can't believe it..."

Maria whispered beside me.

I glanced at her.

She was peeling potatoes far more aggressively than necessary.

"You look upset."

"I am."

"Why?"

She forced a smile.

"I've always admired Young Master Cassian."

"Admired?"

"He treats everyone equally."

I waited.

"He remembers birthdays."

I blinked.

"He helped pay for my father's treatment two years ago."

I stopped chopping.

"He didn't tell anyone."

"How do you know?"

"My father did."

She smiled sadly.

"Young Master made him promise not to tell anyone."

I remained silent.

Kindness...

Again.

That word kept following Cassian everywhere.

"I know he'll be happy with Lady Xena."

Her voice cracked slightly.

"I just..."

She laughed awkwardly.

"I wasn't expecting the announcement today."

I nodded.

No wonder.

She liked him.

Poor girl.

Not that it mattered.

Within two months, he'd be dead.

...

Olivia clapped her hands loudly.

"Enough talking!"

Everyone immediately returned to work.

She pointed at me.

"Isabella."

"Yes."

"Young Master requested the same soup from yesterday."

Requested?

So he actually liked it.

"Very well."

I walked toward the pantry to gather ingredients.

As I searched through the shelves, another voice interrupted me.

"I heard you're Young Master's new personal chef."

I turned around.

It was the same girl who had mocked me before.

She folded her arms.

"You must think you're special now."

"I don't."

"Hmph."

She clicked her tongue.

"Don't get too comfortable."

"I wasn't planning to."

"You'll be replaced soon."

I picked up the vegetables I needed.

"Perhaps."

She frowned.

"You're boring."

"I've heard that before."

She walked away looking more annoyed than when she'd arrived.

People here truly loved arguments.

...

By afternoon, the soup was finished.

I arranged everything neatly before carrying the tray toward Cassian's quarters.

The guards recognized me immediately.

"The chef."

I nodded.

"You may pass."

I smiled inwardly.

Good.

They were already getting used to seeing me.

That would make moving around easier.

I knocked gently.

"Come in."

I entered.

Cassian sat by the window reading another book.

Did this man ever stop reading?

He looked up and smiled politely.

"Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon."

I placed the tray on the table.

"You've been reading every time I've come here."

"I enjoy books."

"I noticed."

He closed it carefully.

"You don't?"

"I've never had time."

"What do you do in your free time?"

I almost answered truthfully.

Practice killing people.

Instead, I shrugged.

"Sleep."

He laughed softly.

"You sound exhausted."

"If I could sleep for a week, I would."

"I envy you."

That made me look at him.

"You do?"

"I can't sleep much."

There was something hidden behind those words.

Something tired.

Something lonely.

He quickly changed the subject.

"The soup smells wonderful."

I stepped back.

"You should eat before it gets cold."

He nodded.

"Will you wait a moment?"

I frowned.

"Why?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

I remained standing.

"You don't smile often."

That was his question?

"I smile."

"Not with your eyes."

My fingers twitched slightly.

What kind of observation was that?

"You notice strange things."

"I like observing people."

"I don't."

He chuckled.

"I've noticed."

Silence settled between us.

He suddenly looked toward the bookshelf.

"Do you know how to play chess?"

"No."

"Pity."

"I don't have the patience."

"I thought so."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You judged me?"

"I guessed."

"You guessed wrong."

"Oh?"

"I do have patience."

"Enough to cook."

"Enough to wait."

"For what?"

"The right moment."

He smiled.

"I suppose that's true."

If only you knew what moment I was waiting for.

...

As I turned to leave, someone knocked hurriedly.

Without waiting for permission, Serena rushed inside.

"Brother!"

She stopped abruptly after seeing me.

"Oh..."

She smiled brightly.

"It's Isabella!"

Before I could react, she hurried over.

"You're here!"

"Yes."

She looked at the tray.

"Brother, is this today's lunch?"

"It is."

She leaned closer to me.

"Her food is really delicious."

Cassian nodded.

"It is."

The compliment caught me off guard.

Not because he praised the food.

But because he sounded sincere.

Serena suddenly grabbed my hand.

"When you're free..."

She smiled innocently.

"...will you come play with me?"

Before I could answer—

Cassian spoke quietly.

"Serena."

She looked at him.

"Don't trouble Isabella."

"I'm not troubling her."

She pouted.

"I just want a friend."

The room became strangely quiet.

I noticed the expression on Cassian's face.

Pain.

Only for a second.

Then it disappeared.

I remembered what Maria had said.

Serena had changed after losing someone important.

Cassian noticed me watching him.

Our eyes met briefly.

Something about that gaze...

It felt heavier than before.

I quickly looked away.

"I'll think about it," I answered Serena.

Her face immediately lit up.

"Really?"

"Hm."

She clapped happily.

"I'll be waiting!"

She skipped out of the room as quickly as she had entered.

The silence she left behind felt louder than her excitement.

Cassian smiled faintly.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not rejecting her."

I didn't respond.

I simply picked up the empty tray and walked toward the door.

Just before stepping outside, I heard his calm voice again.

"Isabella."

I paused.

"Welcome to Sundown."

I didn't turn around.

"...Thank you."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the strange feeling growing inside me.

The more I learned about Cassian...

The harder it became to imagine him as the monster I had expected.

That was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Because monsters were easy to kill.

Good people...

Were not.