At times like this, Cedric would always remember the warning his father had once given him.
“Prepare yourself and endure.”
Those cold, emotionless words had been the last piece of advice his father left behind. It was a remarkably heartless thing to say as a final message to one's son.
The assassination attempts had begun on the very night news of his father's death arrived.
Large and small attacks came without end.
Even the head chef who had prepared his meals for years had tried to poison him. Cedric had been forced to treat even that as though it were nothing unusual.
I thought the assassins would give up once I reached the capital...
Apparently not.
A chaotic day like today was probably the perfect opportunity for them.
The assassins were observing from a distance, trying not to reveal themselves. But if Eileen did not leave soon, they might decide it would be more efficient to eliminate both of them at once.
If he were alone, he could manage somehow.
But with someone he needed to protect, there was no telling what might happen.
“Stop getting in the way and just leave.”
The words came out far more bluntly than he intended.
He regretted them the moment they left his mouth, but Eileen reacted before he had a chance to correct himself.
“So... now I'm a burden.”
Her voice was low and calm.
Cedric wanted to explain that he had never meant her existence itself was a burden.
But the moment he revealed that he had noticed the enemy's presence, the situation could become dangerous in an instant.
“I just... need some time to think.”
At least half of that was true.
His thoughts had been a complete mess when he stepped outside alone earlier.
Looking at Eileen, who was silently watching him, he wondered whether he should explain himself properly.
Before he could speak, however, she answered in a composed voice.
“I understand. I'll go.”
But after becoming accustomed to hearing her voice for so long, Cedric could tell.
It was trembling ever so slightly.
He wanted to punch himself.
Of all the things he could have said, why had he chosen those words?
He could have phrased it more gently.
Why had he acted so coldly?
“Eileen, I...”
What was he supposed to say?
Sorry for acting immature?
I don't hate you?
Please tell me what's troubling you because I won't turn away if you open up to me?
No matter how he phrased it, it would turn into a long explanation.
And now was not the time for such a conversation.
In the end, Cedric chose to avoid her gaze.
The sound of Eileen's footsteps gradually faded into the distance, and a strange silence settled once more.
He suppressed the urge to run his fingers through his hair in frustration.
It would be better to finish this quickly anyway.
So he finally spoke.
“...I'd appreciate it if you came out now.”
Even to his own ears, it sounded like a tired, clichéd line.
A dry laugh escaped him.
One hand rested lightly on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Should I make the first move?
No answer came.
Just as he was considering searching for them himself—
A man dressed as a servant of the ducal household emerged from a dark corner of the corridor.
No.
That wasn't all.
Cedric quickly swept his gaze toward the garden on the opposite side.
Another figure stepped out from the shadows there.
At least two.
Possibly more.
“I suppose you don't intend to tell me who sent you?”
“......”
Cedric focused on the one standing closer.
Naturally, the man gave no reply.
But the bloodstained sword in his hand glinted coldly beneath the moonlight.
The casual way he shook the blood from the blade made it obvious he was no amateur.
That sword had unquestionably taken someone's life moments ago.
Most likely one of the guards patrolling the estate tonight.
“So letting you leave alive isn't an option.”
If Cassel had been here, he would have assessed the situation immediately.
Then he would have quietly brought the knights without causing a commotion.
Which meant Cedric's job was simply to buy time.
But that judgment soon proved to be a mistake.
“...I've been too relaxed.”
Whoosh!
With a sharp whistle through the air, Cedric drew his sword and intercepted the assassin's strike.
He felt his blade pushed back slightly.
Muttering in surprise, he said,
“You sent someone fairly capable. Should I be grateful for that? I'll ask one more time. Who sent you?”
Still no answer.
“You're going to die anyway. Surely you can tell me that much.”
Clang!
Twisting his wrist, Cedric easily overpowered his opponent and knocked the assassin's sword away.
Only then did a trace of panic appear on the face of the man disguised as a servant.
The assassin barely managed to evade Cedric's relentless attacks.
He survived only because the second assassin from the garden rushed in to assist him.
Tch...
He had expected this, but facing it in reality was an entirely different matter.
Cedric quickly blocked a dagger aimed at his side.
A powerful shock ran through his wrist.
This could become troublesome...
He had succeeded in inflicting a deep wound on one opponent's abdomen, but the others refused to give him any openings.
They attacked endlessly like a pack of wolves.
After bringing one down and turning toward the third attacker—
This time he couldn't avoid the strike.
“Ghk!”
A sword pierced through his arm.
A burning pain immediately spread through him.
It seemed they had coated the blade with poison as well.
“Sir Cedric!”
A familiar voice echoed from afar.
Along with it came the sound of armor clashing as someone rushed toward them.
“Urgh...!”
The assassin standing before Cedric suddenly collapsed.
Behind him stood a young knight.
As the tension briefly left him, Cedric let out a sigh of relief.
“Eden. You're late.”
“I came as fast as I could.”
The young knight with dark brown hair, Eden, was already facing the last remaining assassin.
Though breathing heavily, his movements were clean and swift.
Twisting his sword, he caught his opponent off guard and slashed diagonally across his body.
“Tch. I wanted to keep at least one alive.”
As the final assassin fell, Cedric frowned.
“Ah... right.”
Eden scratched the back of his head with an apologetic expression.
“Now we can't find out who sent them. Sorry. I thought there were more.”
Still, Cedric understood his reasoning.
Cedric had been in danger, so there had been no choice but to act quickly.
The two were about the same age and had trained together since their days as apprentice knights.
“It's fine. Anyone would have done the same in an emergency. Thanks for saving me.”
“But there might still be others hiding nearby. I'll check the area.”
“There's no need—”
Before Cedric could finish, Eden had already sprinted toward the garden.
Apparently he wasn't satisfied with how things had ended.
More knights could be seen rushing toward them in the distance.
Leaning against the wall, Cedric watched Eden disappear into the garden.
Cassel hurried over and supported him.
As Cedric relaxed, the ducal knights quickly began securing the scene.
“Are you injured?”
“A little. The wound itself isn't the problem. The poison seems worse.”
“I'll summon a physician immediately.”
Only then did Cedric lower his sword and inspect his arm.
The sensation was already gradually fading.
“You're not usually this careless.”
“Try fighting three people at once.”
He grumbled, though he knew Cassel was right.
Making mistakes against assassins of this level was unusual for him.
“My mind... was elsewhere.”
He admitted it reluctantly.
He didn't say it aloud, but the face distracting him had been Eileen's.
“Because of Miss Eileen Cassier, I assume.”
Before Cedric could even think of an excuse, Cassel pinpointed the issue exactly.
Cedric shot him an irritated look.
Cassel stepped aside to make room for the physician who had arrived.
“Why else would she have left alone in a carriage so early? It was obviously because of you.”
“...At least she got away safely.”
“You were together?”
“I told her to leave. She would have gotten in the way if she stayed.”
