The Blade Beneath Her Smile

‎“AGHHHH!” ‎ ‎The man's scream tore through the mansion. ‎ ‎He stumbled through the corridor, his breath ragged, his footsteps echoing against the marble floor. ‎ ‎Blood stained the walls. ‎ ‎Bodies lay scattered behind him. ‎ ‎His servants. His guards. His family. ‎ ‎Every single one of them was dead. ‎ ‎And behind him— ‎ ‎Tap. ‎ ‎Tap. ‎ ‎Tap. ‎ ‎Footsteps. ‎ ‎Slow. ‎ ‎Unhurried. ‎ ‎The man glanced over his shoulder. ‎ ‎A black figure stood at the end of the corridor. ‎ ‎She wasn't running. ‎ ‎She didn't need to. ‎ ‎She simply walked toward him. ‎ ‎“No…” His voice trembled. “No, no. Don't! Don't come closer!” ‎ ‎The figure continued forward. ‎ ‎He backed away until his shoulders struck the wall. ‎ ‎“Please! I'll give you anything! Money? Gold? You want information? I can—” ‎ ‎“Shhh.” ‎ ‎Her voice was soft. ‎ ‎Almost gentle. ‎ ‎The man's pleading died in his throat. ‎ ‎For a brief moment, their eyes met. ‎ ‎Then— ‎ ‎Slash. ‎ ‎A silver blade flashed beneath the moonlight. ‎ ‎The man froze. ‎ ‎His eyes widened as a thin line of red appeared across his neck. ‎ ‎He collapsed. ‎ ‎But his body never touched the floor. ‎ ‎The assassin caught him effortlessly, lowering him onto the cold marble as carefully as if he were merely asleep. ‎ ‎She glanced at the blood staining her glove. ‎ ‎With a quiet sigh, she pulled out a handkerchief and wiped it away. ‎ ‎Another job finished. ‎ ‎Another name erased. ‎ ‎She stood. ‎ ‎The mansion was silent now. ‎ ‎Outside the windows, the capital glittered beneath the peaceful moonlight. ‎ ‎People walked through the streets. ‎ ‎Carriages passed beneath golden lamps. ‎ ‎Lovers laughed. ‎ ‎Children slept peacefully in their homes. ‎ ‎Not one of them knew what had happened inside this mansion. ‎ ‎And no one would. ‎ ‎The assassin looked toward the window. ‎ ‎A faint smile touched her lips. ‎ ‎“How convenient.” ‎ ‎Knock. ‎ ‎She paused. ‎ ‎Three knocks. ‎ ‎Knock. Knock. Knock. ‎ ‎Silence. ‎ ‎Then— ‎ ‎Knock. Knock. ‎ ‎Two more. ‎ ‎Her smile disappeared. ‎ ‎Her hand slowly moved toward the blade at her side. ‎ ‎That wasn't an ordinary knock. ‎ ‎It was a signal. ‎ ‎A signal only a handful of people in the world knew. ‎ ‎Someone had found her. ‎ ‎And whoever was standing behind that door… ‎ ‎wasn't supposed to be here. ‎ To be continued...