Chapter 74
The Kingdom was a lower-ranked nation than the Empire. There was no reason for a superior to go out and meet an inferior. Of course, manpower was needed to guide the delegation to the palace, but such roles were usually handled by knights. It was unusual for a prince like Helion to take on such a task.
However, there was no need to be anxious just because he was the only royal family member allowed to leave the palace.
No matter how much they gnashed their teeth to kill him, the delegation wouldn’t cause trouble as soon as they entered the Empire.
So, the real danger had to be considered to begin with the welcome banquet.
At a banquet, even the most impenetrable fortress would let its guard down.
The sound of women’s laughter. The swirling hems of dresses. The dazzling light of chandeliers. Sweet desserts and alcohol.
Someone might think, ‘Surely not during a banquet?’ But that was precisely the opportune time to kill someone. Especially because there were people who saw his funeral as a celebration.
And yet, he was only allowed two guards to accompany him to the banquet. It was an excessively small number to entrust his life to in a place where everyone, excluding his own party, could be an enemy.
‘Should I secretly plant someone among the attendants?’
No, it’s useless. The import of weapons is strictly prohibited for anyone except the designated guards. How could she deal with an assassin bare-handed, without even a fist?
At that moment, a woman came to Helion’s mind.
The one who had sent a robust assassin flying, bare-handed, not even with a punch, but with a single shoulder bump…
“Conveniently, the partner spot is open.”
How could everything align so perfectly? There was no need to even disguise her as an attendant and plant her.
Katie was a woman. A partner wasn’t included in the guard count and could enter together, meaning he could openly have an additional guard right by his side.
However, there was one thing that bothered him.
He didn’t know her true identity. He had countless experiences of guards turning into enemies, and he knew better than anyone that this woman might be no different.
Helion looked at the window where Katie had stood motionlessly. He wasn’t a gambler, so he didn’t bet on uncertainties. Yet, Katie constantly provoked strange impulses within him.
Earlier, it was his lips, but this time, what he had to wager was much, much greater.
Still, he was contemplating it because if things went well, there was no plan more perfect than this. Not only could he secure his safety, but it might also be an opportunity to dispel his suspicions about her.
“At least I’ll definitively learn her purpose for entering the palace.”
In truth, Helion didn’t care what her true identity was.
Whether she came to steal information, steal wealth, or seduce him to steal his heart, he was willing to pretend not to know, as per their agreement.
Only one thing. It was fine as long as what she was trying to steal wasn’t his life.
His life was something he absolutely had to protect. Even though he thought he wanted to die every day, even though he wished tomorrow wouldn’t come, it was something he couldn’t abandon. It was a gift left to him by his benefactor.
No matter how much he thought about it, it was an outrageous impulse. Nevertheless, Helion couldn’t erase the woman’s name from the mental layout plan.
“If I’m a fool who can’t even stop a mid-level knight, then there’s no reason to live anyway.”
Even if things didn’t go well, he just had to stop them. He even gave himself an absurd reason, pretending to trust his own skills.
Ultimately, Helion put the woman to the test. This was definitely different from the terms of their agreement.
However, Katie had no reason to feel wronged.
Because he, too, was on that same testing ground.
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