Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 33.1

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Chapter 33.1

The culprit who summoned the beasts to the Kishar princes’ residence and manipulated the monstrous creatures to kill Bashar…

Pazl would have realized, as time passed, that the prince attacked by the beast in the rear garden was Haroon.

At the same time, he would also realize that Bashar Kishar wasn’t by Haroon’s side. Pazl would have surmised that Bashar, still inside the residence, would seek refuge in the annex, a sanctuary, to escape the beast. He’d likely try to move directly there.

So, just before parting ways, I warned Bashar Kishar to remain vigilant, as he might encounter Pazl in the annex. I, too, stayed on high alert, prepared for a possible confrontation with Pazl.

‘I never thought I’d be doing this.’

Concealing my presence, I focused all my attention on Pazl in the hallway. A small mirror allowed me to observe the man’s movements. Contrary to my expectation that he’d be with other assassins, Pazl was alone. He carried no weapon to harm Bashar; his hands were empty.

“Tsk, I’ve wasted my time. And I almost hurt His Highness Haroon.” Irritated, his voice was followed by the sound of retreating footsteps, then a soft splash.

‘What is he spreading?’

Unable to observe Pazl directly, I could only rely on the sounds and the small reflection in my hand mirror. He carried nothing resembling a weapon. While he had a dagger at his hip, even Pazl wouldn’t think that sufficient to kill Bashar. Instead, he held a bottle filled with a black liquid, dripping it onto the hallway floor with each step—the source of the splashing sound.

‘That’s….’

It seemed too viscous to be mere water. Even a brief glimpse in the mirror evoked an indescribable unease.

‘…Oil?’

The distinct odor wafting from the hallway confirmed it. But it was stickier than ordinary oil, its smell bordering on noxious. I frowned, observing the black oil droplets spaced evenly along the hallway floor.

I had anticipated several ways Pazl might harm Bashar, but using oil was unexpected. Pazl wasn’t covering his mouth or wearing any protective gear while spreading the oil in the annex, suggesting it wasn’t poisonous.

‘Then there’s only one possibility.’

The Kishar servant intended to set the annex ablaze. A lingering unease remained. Burning down the annex was a precarious method. It would only work if Bashar was trapped inside, but otherwise, it was an unreliable way to eliminate someone. Bashar could escape the annex, evading Pazl. It didn’t make sense. Pazl was skilled enough to infiltrate the Kishar princes’ residence and summon beasts, yet he resorted to such an uncertain method to eliminate Bashar.

‘Then again, it’s not the only thing that doesn’t make sense.’

The plan to poison Bashar, the catalyst for war in the original story, had already failed. Moreover, Pazl himself was now implicated. With things unfolding this way, they couldn’t blame the Empire for Bashar’s death and use it as a pretext for war, as in the original story.

‘Even if the assassination succeeds, it’s more likely to be considered an internal Kishar family matter, not the Empire’s doing.’

There was no guarantee Haroon would return to the kingdom, and this incident could even damage his standing and reputation. What was Pazl planning to do next? Even if the assassination miraculously succeeded and he returned to Kishar, his safety wouldn’t be guaranteed, not after summoning magical beasts to the Crown Prince’s residence. He might be branded an Imperial terrorist.

“Tsk, it won’t be enough. I should have brought more. It’s too late to get more now. Oh, well.”

Pazl’s disgruntled muttering reached me. He seemed to be running low on the liquid he was spreading. I glanced at the hand mirror. There was still a considerable amount of oil in the bottle. His complaint suggested he intended to cover the entire annex with the unknown liquid.

‘Did he get this from an accomplice?’