Much to Raven's relief, she was able to enter the carriage that she and the sixth madam used in arriving at the main manor before the short-tempered Edwin caught up to her.
Immediately her butt touched the soft cushion of the carriage, her body suddenly relaxed even if it was not her intention. It was as if the tension from within has been released.
''Too weak…'' Raven mumbled, her eyes looking down at the small body with a deep frown. In her former life, when she was still active as a dangerous criminal, her body had never relaxed like this. Even during her rest, she was always at alert and prepared for anything.
With many bounties, and targets on her head, how could she have the time to relax, even if it was for a minute?
The situation was the same with this body that she was in.
Now that the original owner had reached the age of succession, she was like a lamb ready to be slaughtered in the midst of hungry wolves. Yet, she was never prepared for anything, and died an insignificant death, according to that novel.
Just thinking about this gave Raven a sudden headache. Right. She still had to think about the fact that she was inside a novel.
'I wonder if I changed something since I, as Raven's character, is still alive?' Raven couldn't help but think about that question. Since she was inside a novel written by someone, then everything must follow the person's writing. Each significant and insignificant characters have their fates and endings written by the author, but she as Raven was still alive.
Raven didn't know if this was a good or bad thing.
As Raven was in thoughts, the door to the carriage suddenly opened, and her gaze shifted to the sixth madam entering the carriage with the help of a footman.
Once the sixth madam was settled opposite Raven, the door blocked the outside world from them, and soon after, the carriage began to wheel back to their manor.
''Why did you accept that challenge when the victory is surely not your hands, Raven?'' Unlike before, the sixth madam initiated a conversation with the child in front of her.
'So you speak now…' Raven was amused. She never knew the always quiet sixth madam was a curious person.
''Why do you say that, mother?'' Raven asked. Her eyes deeply focused on the sixth madam, waiting for her reply.
''Death awaits you, Raven. It is your ending and everyone in this Grand duchy knows it.'' The sixth madam bluntly said without sugar-coating her words.
''And mother thinks I am not aware?'' Raven returned. ''I assumed mother has no need for the weakest child in the Langston family?'' She questioned further with a small tug on her lips.
''I did not expect my words to be considered this much.'' The sixth madam followed after. Her eyes were also on Raven, trying to see through the thoughts of the smiling girl. In her heart, she was a bit puzzled about the sudden change.
Her daughter was never one to speak like this.
''I am your precious daughter, mother.'' The sixth madam's words were somewhat funny to Raven. ''Should I continue my past behaviors then? I believe you find that character utterly annoying, mother.'' When the original owner was very much alive, the sixth madam despised her weak and soft character. Now that things were a bit different, the sixth madam still had something to say about that.
However, Raven did not overlook those words. For the sixth madam to say that, it meant she was a little suspicious. Raven knew that, and the best way to diminish that suspicion was by speaking like this.
Her body language was important as well. The sixth madam, despite her calm demeanor, was a smart person. Anything that she does right now could give herself away.
''I have underestimated you then.'' As Raven wanted, the sixth madam replied favourably for her. These words were like a sign that the sixth madam lessened her suspicions.
''Mother isn't the only one." Raven tugged her lips up. "Father, and everyone in the family look down on me. I don't see a problem in accepting fourth brother's challenge. Fourth brother also won't give me a chance to refuse his challenge. Mother can see this life and death battle as an opportunity to change my reputation in the Langston family.''
''....''
''Mother does not approve of this plan?" Raven tilted her head in question.
''...It is yours to battle, Raven.'' The sixth madam calmly turned her head away; a sign that she no longer wanted to continue this conversation.
''Thank you, mother. This daughter will disappoint you no more.'' Raven proclaimed with a smile. In response, the sixth only glanced at her without a word.
And so, the conversation ended between both mother and daughter.
****
Deep within the late hours of the night, the Langston Grand duchy was dead silent as most people, including the servants, were asleep on their respective beds.
It was a peaceful night, but not for everywhere.
By the window of the manor of the sixth madam, a hand could be seen gripping on the window frame before a body was propped up and silently entered the room. Black boots noiselessly stepped on the floor, and motioned straight for the hunched figure under quilt on the bed. In the grasp of a black gloved hand was a sword with its blade glinting its sharpness due to the shining moon reflecting in the room.
Once the person got to the bed, the sword in the grasp did not waste time before plunging to that hunched figure underneath the quilt. The person expected a scream or a sharp gasp to follow after, but that did not happen. There was no sign of blood on the quilt as well, which was quite puzzling.
Confused, the person withdrew the sword and closely eyed the quilt with a hole. Just as the person guessed, there was no blood. What was in the place of blood was white and fluffy that followed by the sharp blade of the sword.
It was feathers floating down, and the person quickly realized that something was wrong.
Why were there feathers in the place of his target?
That question was easily answered as the person felt something piercing from his back.
''I guess I was correct about assassins being in this world, and you seem to be a man given your height and built. Am I right or wrong?'' A childish voice sounded from behind him. Stunned and still confused, the assassin instinctively wanted to turn around to see the owner of that voice. If he was correct, that voice should belong to his target….right?
''Turn around and another one will be aimed straight at your neck. Your death will be quicker than now.'' The voice continued as if this moment was a time to be casual. ''Since I need information from you, your back is the most suitable for my knife. If I had targeted your leg, I might be at a disadvantage because of this weak body. Your chest is a big NO since your heart is somewhere around there, so that leaves your back. I do hope the knife didn't touch your heart, though. That will be very bad for me.'' The last two sentences were murmurs.
''Hmm….Why don't you move?'' The childish voice asked again.
Yes, why doesn't the assassin move? He was still at an advantage because the knife was aimed at his back and not his neck or chest. His sword was in his hand as well. However, the assassin could not move for some reason. His feet were glued to the ground as if something was holding him there.
Even if his will was to move and kill his target, he couldn't, and that was unsettling because his life was at stake.
''You can't move…That's strange.'' The childish voice said again.
''Then allow me to show my face. At least, you will see a beautiful young lady such as myself as the last face before your death. Be grateful for this privilege, Mr. assassin.'' True to those words, the assassin felt the absence of the person behind him. Fortunately for him, his eyes could move, and the person he saw walking out from his back stunned him.
Exactly as he thought, the person was his target, but…the information he received was very different from what he was seeing right now.
''Hello.'' Seated on the bed with her small legs swinging back and forth, Raven twirled the silver cutlery knife between her fingers with a wide smile. Her eyes like crimson were particularly glowing in the dark, making her seem like a devil crawling from the pits of hell for a deep-sated revenge.
''Now….'' Raven paused for a moment and aimed the silver cutlery knife straight for his chest. The sharp knife pierced accurately in the middle of the assassin's chest.
*groan*
The assassin groaned in pain, but that was not of Raven's concern as she brought forth her question, still with her wide smile.
''Why don't you start talking, Mr. assassin? As you can tell, I told a little lie, so your lips need to be faster.''