Chapter 2: I Softened

Meanwhile, in that rented apartment.

A knight in armor appeared beside Anderson, kneeling before him and speaking.

“Your Highness, our intelligence indicates that an assassin known as ‘Red Sparrow’ has accepted a contract from the nobility to kill you, so please do not linger outside the palace, as it is much safer within.”

Listening to the knight, Anderson remained silent for a moment in thought, then said.

“Do not worry, just let that assassin come, I can handle it myself.”

As a prince of the Glory Empire, Anderson possessed a certain level of strength himself.

From a young age, Anderson could not remember how many assassination attempts he had faced, but those assassins basically could not do much against him.

Even the leader of the Blue Gold Guild, once the strongest assassin organization, had found no success before him.

Therefore, facing a ‘Red Sparrow’ without much of a reputation, Anderson was truly not afraid.

“Your Highness, please remember not to be careless, this assassin named Red Sparrow has never failed a contract, and her strength should not be underestimated.”

“Lewis, I know your concerns, but they are truly unnecessary.”

Whether it was because of his confidence in his own strength or the belief that the assassin could not find him, Anderson did not take the matter to heart.

“You may withdraw now, according to the usual time, Ainola should be returning soon.”

“Yes.”

The knight left the room, leaving Anderson alone in the living room.

But in reality, Ainola had returned long ago; she was hiding in a dark corner, having taken in everything that had transpired.

Upon learning Anderson’s true identity, she felt very conflicted.

Indeed, her national grievances and family hatred could be avenged today.

However, in Ainola’s original impression, that Prince of the Glory Empire should be a pot-bellied, greasy villain, just like the nobles she had killed.

But after seeing the truth today, she was completely stunned.

Having rented with Anderson for a year, knowing him for a year, totaling two years of time, had made Ainola understand that this guy was a genuinely good person.

In her most dangerous moment, he had saved her.

In her most difficult time, he had helped her.

It could be said that if not for Anderson, she would have died in the forest long ago.

But if not for Anderson… she might have still been the princess of that small country.

That maid, who was not her mother but more than a mother, would not have died without a trace.

In a state of extreme psychological complexity, Ainola fell into confusion.

She looked at her own hands, feeling at a loss.

Unable to make a decision, Ainola eventually left the room.

She arrived at the clock tower in Hail City.

Looking down from the high vantage point, the entirety of Hail City came into Ainola’s view.

Especially the magnificent palace, which was like a thorn, making her feel very uncomfortable.

“Why did they have to launch that war of aggression?”

This question, even now, Ainola had no answer to.

With a melancholy sigh, she sat on the edge of the clock tower, watching the sunset little by little.

She had once heard a saying that standing in a high place and looking into the distance could make one temporarily forget their troubles.

But Ainola had tried it many times, and it actually did not work at all.

Instead, she only felt an endless sense of emptiness.

She did not know how much time had passed, and when Ainola finally came to her senses, it was already night.

Looking at the palace with its flickering magic lamps, Ainola realized one thing.

‘The one I should take revenge on… is the Glory Empire.’

Since Anderson had saved her life, even if he were a prince, she should not return evil for good by killing him.

But this matter certainly could not just end here, otherwise, she would have no face to see her ancestors.

Thus, Ainola came up with a compromise.

Her original goal was to end the Glory Empire’s bloodline, so why not…

Castrate Anderson?

Currently, the aging King of the Glory Empire had long lost his ability to reproduce.

As long as Anderson also lacked the ability, would that not solve everything?

Thinking to this point, Ainola felt much better in her heart.

“Sorry about this, brother.”

Having made up her mind, Ainola took a bottle of poison and returned to the rented apartment.

As soon as she entered the door, she found two boxes of fast food on the table.

One box was Anderson’s, and as for the other, without a doubt, it was for her.

“Is this for me?”

Ainola asked, still feeling uncertain.

After hearing this, Anderson nodded and said.

“Seeing you eating Instant Noodles this morning, it was truly too miserable, so I bought you dinner.”

Hearing this, a small sense of warmth rose in Ainola’s heart.

At the same time, she felt a little guilty.

However, once she thought of Anderson’s identity, that bit of guilt disappeared.

“Thanks.”

Pretending that nothing was wrong, Ainola began to eat heartily.

If Ainola was not guessing wrong, this should be her last supper.

Or rather, the last meal she would be able to mooch off of Anderson.

While Ainola ate, Anderson just stared blankly at the young girl.

In fact, over these days, Anderson had more than once had thoughts about Ainola.

Of course, these were feelings of admiration, not anything untoward.

This girl was very beautiful, her personality was very cute, and she got along with him very happily in their daily life.

The only suspicious point was that she had no legal registration.

It seemed as if she had smuggled herself in from somewhere else.

No matter how he searched, he could not find the origin of her identity, as if she were an angel who had appeared out of thin air.

In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that she was truly as cute as an angel.

“I say…”

Anderson did not touch his chopsticks, but interrupted to ask:

“Why don’t we just settle down and be a pair?”

“Cough cough cough!”

Ainola almost choked to death upon hearing this, and after recovering, she rolled her eyes at him and said:

“In your dreams.”

“Didn’t you always say you wanted to lie flat and find someone to support you or something like that?”

“I say it with my mouth, but in reality, I am not the kind of person who can’t take their eyes off money.”

Ainola said with iron integrity.

“One cannot lose their self-esteem just because they are poor.”

“…What a pity.”

Anderson sighed, feeling a bit helpless.

While the two were eating in silence, Ainola stood up and went to the front of the refrigerator.

She familiarly poured two glasses of barley tea, and then took a packet of white powder out of her pocket.

Although the plan was well prepared, she felt conflicted, extremely conflicted.

However, after hesitating for a while, Ainola gritted her teeth and poured the powder into one of the glasses of barley tea.

Taking a deep breath, she picked up the tray, walked over to Anderson, and said with a smile.

“All that’s left is barley tea, do you think that’s okay?”