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    With a harsh movement, Jade’s hands grabbed the sluggish piece of cloth, now completely covered with saliva, and threw it on the ground. The assassin coughed several times, finally being able to breathe properly, to speak actual words.


    “Where am I?” Gilbert asked, understanding his surroundings were far too unfamiliar.


    The night made everything around him too dark to be perceived and all the trees were tall, their leaves covering most of the light pouring down from above. Bushes spread from nature as if they had been infested by an illness, causing most of the place to be covered in spikes and branches, all perfect tools to prevent someone like him from escaping, from sneaking past their cautious gazes. A howl echoed through the woods, causing the man’s heat beat to rise - as if everything wasn’t against him, even wildlife wanted to join the feast.


    “Gilbert Averton.” His body flinched after hearing his real name roll out of the noblewoman’s tongue.


    Anxious but still trying to feign ignorance, the assassin’s gaze fell upon hers, seeing that her expression was surprisingly calm, not appearing worried, joyful, or anything in between. She had to be bluffing; that was the only possible answer. He had always been cautious as to not leave clues regarding his real identity, so how could a child know?


    “Who is that?”


    “So, that is the game you want to play...” Ophelia said, an icy gaze falling on the man messily sitting on the floor. “Tell me, do you know why you were brought here?”


    The girl didn’t buy his excuse. Certainly, he could continue pretend not to know, use the mask of someone else, at least until he found a way to escape this situation, but he could sense it, the slave’s presence right behind him, leaning on a tree, shredding him alive with his gaze.


    “I don’t milady, I’m just a mere butler... I don’t know this person you are referring to...” Averting his eyes, Gilbert lowered his head, displaying some sort of respect. He wanted to survive and if that meant kissing that bitch’s boots, then he would lick them clean.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    “You dare to lie!? You filthy...!” When Jade was about to punch him, Ophelia raised her hand, causing the man to stop in his tracks.


    Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, opening one of the pocket bags around her waist and taking out a sharp dagger from within. With a swing, the sharp item struck the inner part of the trunk, right next to her, causing the man’s head to lower even further. She giggled at the dramatic display of submissiveness, as if such foul act could entice any feelings other than utter disgust.


    “Should I help you freshen up your memory?”


    “A lady shouldn’t carry such dangerous objects around, please milady...” His voice was tender like venison meat, perfect to be sliced into.


    Silence sunk in. For minutes, no one but the wind made a sound, said a word. Yet, being the impatient man that he was, he rose his head, noticing that the smile spreading across the lady’s lips was now completely gone. She had grown tired of his pathetic excuses, of his stupid justifications. It was time for some adrenaline.


    Taking off the cloak surrounding her body, the dark items shrunk into the darkness, blending in with the shadows as if they were one and the same. And somehow, her bright blue eyes sparkled with the penetrating moonlight, threatening to rip anything that came across them to utter despair.


    This girl... she’s insane... Gilbert knew those eyes far too well as they matched the ones he saw every time he gazed upon his own reflection. Knowing they had no intention of letting him go alive, his attention spiked, eyes falling on everything and anything that he could use, on any route that he could take. But such faint hope was useless as the leaves covered the northern stars, as the slave stood too close behind him, ready to tear his body apart.


    “Just give me a reason, Gilbert...! Please, I beg of you!” The girl yelled, hands grabbing the hem of the knife so strongly her usual pale knuckles lost all color. Her wide eyes matched the grin stretching across her lips, perfectly amused by the scenario unfolding before her, by the fear clouding the killer’s mind.


    “You’re insane...” He mumbled, feeling the coldness of the knife at the base of his throat, his muscles tightening, eyes sharped like swords. “What the fuck do you want? Money? Vengeance? Information?”


    “You’re no fun.” Ophelia sounded disappointed. “Who ordered the hit?”


    “Well, you are a smart girl, surely you already know, don’t you?”


    The girl’s right hand impatiently played with the edge of the knife, touching the side of her slender fingers and making deep crimson drops to flow into the ground, feeding the demons lurking beneath. “Gilbert, it would be wise not to test my patience... I assure you it hasn’t ended well for those who tried.”


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