Chapter 55

**Thud!**

“Guh…!”

The maid who had been slammed to the floor contorted her face in pain.

How dare she brazenly infiltrate the Imperial Palace. No matter how skilled she might be as a Master assassin, has she lost her mind?

Under normal circumstances, she could have wandered through the palace grounds freely. But what can you do when I’m here?

“P-please… spare me.”

Her face had turned pale, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her amber eyes trembled violently. The assassin disguised as a maid writhed, trying to catch her breath.

‘Anyone who sees her would believe she’s a real maid.’

My strength is on a completely different level from that of an average person. The force with which I threw her to the ground wasn’t ordinary either, and it wouldn’t be strange for an ordinary person to faint or have some part of their body shattered.

But this maid was fine.

She was still brazenly acting her part despite the situation—she was definitely not your average madman.

“I’ve dealt with your kind before.”

I have considerable experience in territory management. That’s why I learned about the movements and characteristics of assassins from my mentor, and I have vivid memories of clearing out assassins and spies who had infiltrated the northeastern region for a long period of time.

“I ran into you in the southern sector today. The hair color may differ, but that’s no problem with a simple disguise.”

Gag.

I needed to uncover at least her client or affiliation.

How did she manage to slip into the Imperial Palace unnoticed—and even make her way into Iris’s Audience Chamber?

I couldn’t let her go unchecked.

In every underworld, there must be an unbreakable rule that cannot be overlooked. Targeting the Empress is akin to suicide, and any contract related to the Empress must be strictly excluded.

“Where are you from? Wildfire? Abandoned Leaves? Or… Balance?”

“…”

The assassin with green hair remained silent.

She tried to move, but with the way I had pinned down her joints and center of gravity with my entire body weight, she was unable to budge.

I spoke to the assassin who persisted in silence.

“I know you’re trained to keep your mouths shut. But rest assured.”

Assassins who have undergone professional training are often more taciturn than intelligence operatives.

The first thing they are taught when they enter the organization and even during their formal operations is the vow of silence—it’s something they hear over and over again until they have blisters in their ears.

But…

Vows can’t withstand extreme pain.

And I have the means to extract the truth.

“I specialize in treating people who keep their mouths shut. If you feel like talking, just roll your eyes. Otherwise, I’ll assume you have no intention of cooperating and will proceed with physical therapy.”

Just as I was about to start interrogating the assassin, a moment passed.

Creak.

The familiar sound of three sets of footsteps came as the door to the Audience Chamber opened.

Just as I was about to dig for some crucial information, they arrived. It might take a while since she’s a Master-level assassin. This is inconvenient.

“Your Highness…?”

Alberto’s voice carried a tone of bewilderment.

He seemed flustered, and understandably so. After all, an assassin appeared in the heart of the Imperial Palace—the Empress’s Audience Chamber. It’s a situation where even a thorough review of the security system would be insufficient.

While keeping my eyes fixed on the assassin, I spoke.

“My apologies, Chamberlain. I’m quite busy, as you can see. We have a rather passionate guest.”

“That… is it? Well, Your Highness, I understand your youth and passion, but this might not be the appropriate place.”

Indeed, it would be troublesome if blood were to splatter in the Audience Chamber.

It’s only natural that physical therapy could involve some bleeding. Though it’s tedious, it might be better to take her to the Training Grounds or a dungeon.

“I’ll take her to the Training Grounds or a dungeon. Thank you for the advice. I was feeling frustrated and a bit stiff.”

Flick. Thud.

I released the pressure momentarily, then swiftly flipped the assassin’s body.

Lying on her back now, the green-haired assassin’s emerald locks fluttered violently.

Holding her firmly by the bent arm, I addressed her.

“Bear with it a little longer. I’ll take you to a more appropriate place shortly.”

“Guh…”

Her breathing was ragged, and her ears—visible through her disheveled green hair—had turned red.

As the assassin wheezed and groaned in discomfort, I moved to lift her up.

At that moment, Alberto interjected in surprise.

“Charles? What are you doing here?”

“Uh?”

I raised my head at Alberto’s words.

The astonished face of the old man came into view. Behind him stood Iris, expressionless, and Rani, who had her hand over her eyes.

“…Do you know each other, Chamberlain?”

“Yes, indeed. She is one of the children I oversee.”

What?

“Has Charles offended you in any way?”

“An assassin?”

“An assassin…? Ah.”

I relaxed the pressure I had maintained on the ‘assassin.’

Alberto seemed to realize something, let out a gasp, and then held his forehead.

“…I apologize, Your Highness. I intended to inform you when the opportunity arose, but Charles is primarily responsible for external duties and works as a palace maid when she has no other tasks.”

So, she’s not an assassin but a maid. A maid emitting such a presence?

I slowly turned my gaze to the woman with green hair sprawled beneath me.

She glared at me with moist, amber eyes as she struggled to turn her head. Her face was flushed, her breathing rapid. Her elegant figure was revealed due to the maid’s uniform being drenched in sweat and messed up.

And… I was still on top of her.

After comprehending the situation, I slowly lifted my head. My gaze met the calm yet slightly cold violet eyes of the Empress.

“…”

Ah.

—

*

Having sent away Charles, the supposed assassin who turned out to be a maid, a silence fell over the Audience Chamber.

“…”

“…”

The explanation for the layered misunderstandings had ended.

I glanced around awkwardly, Alberto remained silent, and Rani stared blankly at her pudding. The room was quiet.

What is this? I ended up feeling awkward for no reason.

‘This won’t do.’

I, Cain MacBilian.

I am a person who stands confidently unless I’m at fault.

But somehow, the situation felt like that of a husband caught in the act of infidelity by his wife.

I have nothing to hide.

“Ahem.”

As I cleared my throat, the eyes of the three people turned towards me.

Time had been wasted due to this minor incident. It’s now time for the tasting session I had prepared.

“Chamberlain, could you prepare us some tea?”

“Ah, yes. Rani, come with me. Would you like to pick out your favorite tea leaves?”

“Yes! Delicious tea! Delicious snacks!”

With that, Alberto and Rani left to prepare the tea, leaving Iris and I alone.

The warm, refreshing aroma of tea as it brewed filled the room, calming my spirit.

After taking a moment to center myself with the scent of the tea permeating the Audience Chamber, I called out to Iris.

“Iris, I apologize.”

“For what?”

“I promised to bring you a gift and failed to do so.”

After a moment, Iris shook her head while looking into my eyes.

“No, Cain.”

She checked the pudding on the table then turned her gaze back.

“Isn’t Cain’s busyness all for my sake?”

Nodding in response, she hesitated a few times before sighing softly.

“All I need is for Cain to return safely. What you grabbed onto earlier—it was merely out of concern for you heading to a dangerous place.”

With that, Iris raised her finger and gently lifted the corners of her mouth.

“There’s no need to apologize.”

Her somewhat clumsy smile was adorable despite being pressed by her fingers.

“Is that really a smile?”

“Yes. I’m still getting used to it.”

As I looked at her returning to her usual emotionless expression after lowering her hand, a chuckle escaped me.

“…Why are you laughing?”

When questioned with a puzzled look, I shook my head.

I couldn’t say that I laughed because I thought she looked cute in her earnest practice. How would I explain such an embarrassing line?

“I apologize for nothing. Iris.”

“Yes, Cain.”

“The dessert on the table is a gift I made myself.”

“Personally?”

Nodding in response to her question, I turned my gaze.

Just in time, it seemed the tea was ready as Alberto and Rani approached.

The Chamberlain elegantly prepared four cups of tea, and I set the pudding plates and spoons in front of everyone to complete the preparations.

Raising the teacup filled with warm tea, I spoke.

“This is a dessert called Custard Pudding. It’s made from eggs, sugar, and milk, and it resembles a dish from a place near my homeland.”

“It’s really yummy!”

Rani, who had tasted it once before, chimed in enthusiastically.

She looked ready to drool with anticipation after waiting for so long.

“Just take a spoonful.”

With a small invitation, everyone picked up their spoons.

Iris inspected the wobbling pudding carefully before delicately scooping a small portion and slowly bringing it to her mouth.

With a look of utmost caution, she savored the spoonful, then her eyes widened as if surprised by the pudding’s softness.

‘Hmm.’

Why do I feel tense all of a sudden?

While Rani said it was delicious, she usually finds anything tasty unless it’s too strange. This was my first time offering pudding to someone outside my family.

I glanced at Iris anxiously while sipping my tea slowly. After rolling it in her mouth, she began quickly scooping spoonful after spoonful.

Swish. Scoop. Swish. Scoop.

Her small spoon moved nimbly as she devoured the pudding, reminding me of a little bird hungrily pecking at food.

Although Iris’s expressions remained subtle, her eyes sparkled.

Watching her devour the pudding with such enthusiasm, Alberto and Rani also picked up their spoons.

“Well, I’ll try it too.”

“I’m ready to eat!”

Scoop.

Rani quickly shoveled a big bite into her mouth and began devouring the pudding greedily.

Meanwhile, Alberto…

“This… this is…”

Even the old man with white hair trembled with excitement as he began to eat the pudding with increasing speed.

Upright and stiff but within the limits of decency, the pudding disappeared from the spoon into his mouth almost instantly. The pudding that had previously maintained its wobbling shape was mercilessly consumed, gradually losing its form.

Thus, the Audience Chamber was filled only with the sounds of pudding being scooped and the clinking of spoons.

The pudding I had worked hard on disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving me with a great sense of fulfillment.

‘Glad it suits their tastes.’

Leaning against the window while sipping my tea leisurely, Alberto spoke.

“A simple combination of ingredients creates a melting softness in the mouth and a gentle sweetness that wraps around the tip of the tongue. Truly remarkable. This dessert could easily be served at the palace banquet. The balance between taste and aroma, complemented by a slightly bitter tea, makes it continually enjoyable.”

The sight of the white-haired old man speaking with great excitement was something new to me.

It was evident when he showed up with a bunch of snacks intended for Rani, but it seems he has a particular interest in desserts.

Iris, who seemed to agree with Alberto’s words, quickly nodded while silently eating the pudding.

“Everyone seems to like it, which is a relief. This is my first time serving it to someone besides family, so I was a bit worried.”

“Master! Give me more!”

Already having licked her plate clean, Rani shouted for a second helping even forgetting formalities. Her actions drew the gazes of both Iris and Alberto toward me.

“…I also need more.”

“In fact, one serving alone may be insufficient for a proper evaluation. Another serving would allow for better judgment…”

Ugh. This is problematic.

“You just had the last of it, Iris. If there’s another chance, I’ll make more for you.”

“That’s… all?”

Her downtrodden expression tugged at my heart, but there’s nothing I can do.

However, in the middle of expressing her regret, Iris’ eyes widened as she looked between the plate in her hand and me. After pondering for a moment, she shyly extended the plate with only a small portion of pudding remaining.

“I didn’t see Cain eat any pudding. Are you not eating it?”

“I’ve tasted it during the preparation process, so there’s no need to worry about me.”

Of course, I didn’t actually eat any.

I don’t have a particular fondness for sweets anyway, and the chief chef tasted it for me.

Simply by observing how everyone enjoyed it is more than enough for me.

“Is that…”

Iris glared at her plate as if deep in thought and suddenly scooped up a large portion, pushing it forward.

“I want to share my feelings with you. Open your mouth.”

Midsentence, she managed to bite her tongue, yet the determination in her eyes was unshakable.

Iris, who immediately served the pudding while I obediently ate it with a closed eye, seemed gratified and continued to eat.

“…”

The warmth spreading across my face prompted me to gulp down the remaining tea in one go.

The pleasant yet ticklish moment ended, and after Iris and Rani left the Audience Chamber,

I said to Alberto, who was quietly tidying up the room.

“Sir Alberto.”

“Yes, Your Highness. About Charles?”

I nodded lightly, and the old man continued.

“This might be a long story. I’ll prepare more tea as well.”

---