Chapter 3

A middle-aged lady knocked on my door after exactly one hour, just as Miss Larn’s statement. She was wearing a black uniform with a piercing gaze drifting from my face down to my chest before she rolled her eyes and turned her back on me. "Follow me."

I almost scoffed at her attitude but simply chose to let it pass. I know how big my boobs are enough for others to be envious…I get it. I noticed how she swayed her hips side by side as she descended to the first floor before speaking again.

"Hilda, right?" Her voice was kinda harsh, but I simply smiled at her, showing my perfect pair of teeth.

“Yes, that’s my name.” I intentionally made my response joyful yet with a hint of innocence. It was a typical pure girl act, but my smile almost broke when she just arched her brow at me as if disgusted by my charm.

She once again gave my whole body a passing gaze before crossing her arms above her shoulder. “You’re assigned to the Farm. To the stables specifically.”

I immediately understood what she meant by that statement. Of course, I’d be assigned to the stables…Hilda is an expert in taking care of horses! Despite having a hunch about the reason why I wasn’t assigned to the main mansion, I still dared to continue my innocent act.

"Oh, but I was told that I'd be working inside the Mansion," I told her, trying to act surprised. Based on the intel, Hilda indeed was supposed to be sent to the main mansion, but after analyzing the information we gathered through Gel’s sources, we concluded that there’s a possible chance that it wouldn’t be the case.

A snort came out of her nose, which made me secretly grimace. Was Heinz lying to me when she said that maids here don’t react much? This lady right here is very much doing the opposite.

"You don't get to pick your job here. The recruits usually work outside the mansion for years before they get promoted. Only then can you set foot on the Castle." She turned her back and spoke, leaving me a little surprised that she still took the time to explain the situation to me.

"By the way, you should always state your name first before speaking here. You can't expect everyone to remember you, can you? " She added in an annoyed tone, which almost made me want to pull her hair.

"I introduced my name earlier…I’m Hilda." I replied quite sarcastically but immediately gave her a wide smile when she glared at me.

"State your name and the area you work for." She hissed.

You said I only need to state my name…

I almost snapped at her, but there's an image I need to keep here. So I just smiled. Gently.

"I am Hilda of the Stables."

A satisfied look appeared on her face, looking a little bright at hearing me do what she asked. She then shrugged her shoulders and spoke. "I am Jean of the Main Mansion."

I was about to give her empty compliments and try to get on her good side when Jean rudely turned her back on me again, not really interested in what I would say. "This building is the Servants' House. Maids, Guards, and other workers stay here. The third floor is for the maids, the second floor is for the other workers, and the first floor is for the Guards "

I took a deep breath, calming my nerves before I nodded my head.

The mission comes first, and Jean’s head comes second.

I wandered my eyes throughout the building, making sure to take in every crook and cranny and bearing them in my pretty head. The very first thing I should accomplish is to create a concise and dependable blueprint for this place. I’d need it if I ever had to escape alive.

Outside the building was the garden I saw from the windows. It was huge and beautiful. Gardeners were already working around, watering the plants, while some maids were walking huge dogs around. I licked my lips as I saw at least five dogs who were about half as tall as me pulling their maids and dragging them everywhere.

They look cute, but I bet their bites aren’t.

I was a little distracted by wanting to play with the dogs, but thankfully, Jean tugged me, pulling me back to my senses. "Don't get distracted. We need to go to the farm."

I immediately nodded and simply followed her. We walked inside a garage attached to the Servant's House. It was big and spacious yet dark. Jean just walked towards the light switch and turned it on, revealing at least twenty mountain bikes neatly arranged on the right side of the room.

Why…

"The twins crashed almost every vehicle available here, so there are only bikes left." As if Jean knew what was inside my mind, she just shrugged her shoulders and explained without me needing to ask.

" So... but why? Don't they use bikes? " I couldn’t form a clear question as questions flooded my head. The other pile of broken skateboards and scooters on the other side didn’t help.

Jean just pursed her lips as if remembering a memory she tried to forget. "Sir Cassio hates bicycles, and Sir Dren feels like it isn't fun to ride them if Sir Cassio's not with him. So the bikes were safe…"

“Stop asking and just choose one.” She changed the topic, walked towards one, and pulled it before motioning me to take one.

"So we're riding it…" I muttered to myself and then pulled one from the pile. Most bikes are the same model, color, and design as if they were uniformed, so there’s no use in being picky. I quickly got on it and smiled a little.

It's been a while since I've ridden a bicycle.

"Follow me quickly. I still have to prepare the Twins' meal." Jean muttered seriously and rode off, not waiting for me. I pursed my lips tightly and just rode my bicycle following her.

The scenery outside the garden was beautiful yet gloomy. It was quiet, which somehow soothed my anxiousness of being in a place that I was unfamiliar with. I slowly took a breath as we approached the entrance of the forest, and took a glance back at the Mansion. I sighed and then just moved my legs to pedal quicker, following Jean who didn’t bother looking back to check on me.

I watched her back intently as thoughts passed through my head. Based on her words earlier…there’s a huge chance she’s working closely with the twins, Dren and Cassio. The two are probably too young to be chosen as the Next Head, but taking my time to be close with them might be a good idea. Kids are easier to manipulate…although they’re not normal kids.

As I was in deep thought, I didn’t realize that we were far too gone inside the forest. It wasn’t a hard path because the trails had been cleared off, but it was still a little bit eerie for me. I’ve never been on a mission where I had to go far away from the mainland. Thinking back, I think I accepted a mission too dangerous for me.

No— this isn’t the time to think negatively.

I immediately forced myself to focus on the trail ahead. The forest is strangely quiet, and I assume that they had exterminated any dangerous animals before they settled here. I don’t know much about how families like the Madrevals would raise their children, but they’re probably sane enough to ensure their safety, aren’t they?

“We’re near the borders of the hunting grounds…” I frowned when Jean suddenly spoke, which made me tilt my head to the side in brief confusion.

I guess they aren’t sane enough to not have hunting grounds—

A flying arrow quickly gushed straight in my direction, which alerted my whole being, forcing my body to quickly dock down on the ground, crashing my weight and the bike on my left leg. “Shit!”

Jean immediately stopped in her tracks and looked in the direction from where the arrow came. “Well…watch out for flying arrows”

My jaw fell open with that late warning before shaking my head and getting up. My left leg was bruised by the bike, and I suffered a few wounds in my arms as I crashed into the ground. I kept silent as I tried to control my anger before blowing out the air in hopes of calming down.

That arrow would’ve shot me in the head if I had dodged a little later.

“Thanks for the warning; you almost saved me.” I couldn’t help but give Jean a sarcastic remark despite my attempt to just let it pass. I picked up my bike and then stared intently at the direction of where the arrow came from before arching my eyebrow as I heard steps approaching.

One…two. Walking? No… they’re running.

“Someone’s coming,” I told Jean, who was noticeably unfazed. She then got off her bike before standing straight, keeping a stoic expression on his face.

The footsteps became louder and louder as time passed by, and as I listened intently, I slowly had a hunch about who they were.

“Cas…I told you not to shoot it in this direction. You know the workers take this path; what if you accidentally hurt somebody?”

“Their fault for not dodging.”

Wow, those brats…

The bushes then revealed two teenage boys with pin-straight hair and pale skin. My eyes immediately scanned their faces and quickly identified Cassio and Dren. Unlike the pictures I had studied, the two somehow give off a strong presence that influences their overall appearance.

Dren is like a sun; he has bright and lively eyes that make him a little playful in my eyes, while Cassio gives off a dangerous vibe that is intensified by his piercing gaze and forehead scar.

Dren’s face immediately changed when he saw Jean and me standing to greet them. His bright eyes scanned us both and grimaced when he noticed my bruises; a reaction quite far from what I’d expected from a child who grew up in this kind of family.

“See, Cassio!? I knew you’d eventually end up hurting somebody!” He almost shouted while looking at Cassio, who just looked away as if unwilling to hear and face Dren’s nagging.

I, on the other hand, was a little taken aback. Watching the two… they really do seem like normal teenage boys.

This is… the twin Madrevals?

“Good morning, Young Master Cassio, Young Master Dren.” Jean didn’t mind the mini quarrel of the two and simply greeted them, which made me bow my head a little. I intentionally acted like I didn’t recognize them, since new maids are not supposed to know most of the Madrevals unless they’re in the public eye.

Cassio then simply looked my way before he nodded his head to Jean as if acknowledging her presence, while Dren rushed towards me and shamelessly checked my body for other wounds. Dren was hissing the whole time, but Cassio just picked up his arrow on the ground that bounced off due to hitting a tree earlier.

“What are you doing here, Jean? Aren’t you supposed to be cooking our breakfast?” Cassio asked seriously. He was taking small glances at Dren, who was still panicking, tending to my injuries.

I almost shook his hand away from touching me, but I just let him. The kids were a little warmer and normal than I thought they’d be… I do not wish to form attachments in case my target turns out to be one of them. I looked down at Dren, who was biting his nails in anxiousness, before my eyes turned cold and my heart went numb.

Yes, this is a child I might need to kill.

A fake smile slowly formed on my lips, and then I spoke. “Y-Young Master Dren, I am fine. Do not worry, for I can treat them later.”

Dren looked at me straight. He was tall, at the same height as me. My eyes slowly scanned his physique, and I simply closed my lips as I took notice of his trained body. There was no denying he knew how to snap one’s neck just by seeing his strong arms. It wouldn’t be surprising if he could kill me in a fair fight, because after all… I am an assassin who relies on tricks, not on strength.

“Dren didn’t ask you a question, so you shouldn’t have spoken.” Cassio’s warning glare made me look at him unconsciously.

Cassio…

“And you shouldn't look at me as well.” He added, which almost made me smile. That’s it… Between the two, the one who’s easier to manipulate would be Cassio and not Dren.

Dren’s bright eyes tell me that he’d be hard to fool. His eyes are not of a kind, selfless child but of an aware and open individual. An expressive person like Dren tends to have strong boundaries and is not easily swayed by external influences, especially people.

Cassio would be hard to manipulate as well… but only if you target him specifically.

The answer is Dren.

“It’s fine, Cas. She’s probably...new; look at her wearing a white uniform.” Dren shrugged it off and simply gave me a respectful smile, which made Cassio hiss and stab the arrow he was holding back into the tree.

Just because Dren would be hard to manipulate doesn’t mean I can’t take his personality as an advantage…

Given the behavior Cassio showed within this short time, it seems like he has a very short temper and is quite violent. I’d need to rile him up more.

I was about to act pitifully to force Cassio to act violently against me, but a sudden presence behind me made me freeze. The wind of the forest seemed colder against my skin as I felt fear rush through my veins. I didn’t feel anyone approaching… yet someone else was standing right behind me.

I was so sure I’d die, but nothing happened, and instead, the twins’ faces just brightened up looking at the person behind me as if they had seen someone they’d trust with their lives.

“Sid! I thought you’d be back later this month!?” Dren shouted in glee, which gave me a breath of relief. I remember that name… it was the third son, Sid Madreval.

Gelois told me about him. The very person that I at least would be able to defeat in this place.

I immediately acted surprised and turned to face him. “G-Greetings, Young Master Sid!”

“Sid! Help us! Cassio accidentally burned down Cain’s treehouse a week ago… and we still haven’t told him.” Dren immediately clings to Sid as the latter laughs out loud. His rash voice caused a surge of strange uneasiness through my veins.

I frowned; I somehow didn’t feel right with the person who appeared. I simply took a glance at the tall man. He had thick black hair, thick eyebrows, a tall nose, and a pair of blue eyes. But what really sticks out to me is his three small moles: one on the tip of his nose, the second on his lips, and the third one on the right side of his temple.

Sid…

I don’t understand. He’s smiling and chuckling, but something is definitely amiss here.

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