“I want you to enter Blaise mansion.”
Kuhn’s eyes widened. He had taken on countless disguises in his work in assassination and infiltration. However, this time was different from when he set foot inside Blaise castle in the south. This time…Mirabelle knew his face. Kuhn spoke, his voice soft.
“As I told you before, General, the young lady of the Blaise mansion has already seen my face. I don’t believe I’m the right person for this task.”
Kuhn hadn’t told Elena, but he had already reported to Carlisle what took place in the palace. Carlisle knew that Kuhn and Mirabelle had already met each other.
“I know. She saved you, and you gave your name to her.”
“…I did.”
“She doesn’t know the fact that you’re my subordinate, or that you’re taking action for the sake of Elena, so there are no problems.”
Kuhn couldn’t think of a reply. In fact, all Mirabelle knew was that Kuhn was involved in dangerous work. Of course, any employer would be reluctant to let that kind of character work for them, but as Kuhn thought about it, he knew Mirabelle’s feelings toward him were of goodwill, not distrust. She wished to meet him again. Mirabelle was not likely to turn away Kuhn, even if she met him face-to-face.
After considering it rationally, Kuhn realized he had no reason to refuse this job. He had infiltrated enemy positions in worse circumstances–and yet somehow, he still didn’t want to do it. He never thought he’d see Mirabelle again.
“General, I–”
Kuhn was about to refuse. Carlisle’s brow furrowed, and the prince interrupted, changing his expression into a cool stare.
“Why are you avoiding the mission? If you really don’t want to do it, capture the person who infiltrated Blaise mansion and bring them to me as soon as possible.”
“…”
“They were good enough to conceal their presence and escape from you. I’m sure you realize that I just can’t send anyone for this task.”
“…I understand.”
Kuhn fought down his reluctance and accepted Carlisle’s order. Kuhn knew better than anyone else how formidable his opponent was, and the servants employed at Blaise mansion were the first suspects. Not one person particularly stood out to him, but that was only more troubling. After all, the most dangerous enemy was the one that appeared to be a friend.
“I’ll go to Blaise’s mansion as soon as I assume a fake identity.”
“Good.”
Carlisle’s glare finally lifted. He glanced towards the word room where Elena was asleep, a rare look of apprehension on his face.
“You haven’t forgotten my original order, have you?”
“Yes, General. I will put her safety first and foremost, no matter what happens.”
Carlisle had ordered Kuhn from the beginning to save Elena in an emergency and leave behind anyone else. If Elena and Mirabelle were ever in danger, Kuhn had to choose the former without hesitation.
“If she resists, take her to me by force. It may be difficult for you, but…”
Kuhn did not know why Carlisle’s words trailed off. It was easy for as assassin like Kuhn to overpower a woman like Elena. Her ears were more sensitive than he expected, which aroused Kuhn’s suspicions somewhat, but he was not privy to those details.
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
Kuhn knew how much Carlisle cared about Elena, not from some detailed observation, but because anyone who saw how Carlisle survived on the battlefield would notice the change in him. Carlisle would never have worn such a worried look before.
But that was how it began. Before returning to the Imperial Palace, Carlisle had etiquette instructors teach him how to treat women. In the past, Carlisle considered women as inanimate objects, his behavior towards them appalling. Even Kuhn had never seen the prince treat women with any particular sensitivity in all his days with him.
Then suddenly, Elena appeared. Kuhn immediately noticed the changes in Carlisle when he first introduced Elena to him. All Carlisle worked towards was for her.
‘So he will send me further.’
Among the knights, Kuhn operated the best in the dark, and so he was often involved in assassination or infiltration of enemy positions. However, he was mostly in charge of guarding Carlisle’s person. The fact that Carlisle sent him to Elena revealed how much he prioritized her safety.
Tabak tabak–
Carlisle’s and Kuhn’s ears picked up the sound of Elena moving about the room. She had woken up again. Carlisle turned his head towards the door, then gave an order to Kuhn.
“There’s not much time, so you must infiltrate the mansion as soon as possible.”
“Yes, General.”
After Carlisle finished speaking, he strode inside the room. As Kuhn watched Carlisle’s urgently retreating back, he felt it again. He didn’t know if Elena might accidentally summon a bloodstorm if she made a mistake…
Kuhn had heard of it once in the past. On the back of a dragon’s neck was a scale that had grown upside-down, and so it was called a reverse scale, and was said to be the dragon’s weak point.
Kuhn felt as if he had found Carlisle’s reverse scale.