"I do…" Mina sighed and took Lara's hand. "What should I do then?"

"Be careful…" Lara walked to her side, "that woman, Marielle will try something tonight."​​

Mina narrowed her eyes, "can't I just kill her?"

"No…" Lara sighed, the times, Mina had asked that same question were already reaching the thousands. "Not for now, she is still useful."

"Sigh… I understand," Mina was not someone that acted on impulse, at least, not since she began her training with Master Allen. However, even with all the training in the world, it will be hard to stand the stupid conversations with those fragile ladies that only know how to talk in riddles about mockeries and clothes. They were so empty-minded that she couldn't stand it. Well, she could give some credit to that Marielle, if not for her, she would have already died of boredom. At least, in her, she could feel a bit of a challenge.

"Princess, the bath is ready…"

The little maid from before came back after heating the water. However, she felt a strange breeze hitting her face the moment she came inside.

"Princess!" She thought something bad had happened but she only saw the window of the balcony open. "Are you alright? Should I close the window?"

"Yes," the silly Princess face came back while she was modeling in front of the mirror a white dress.

****

"Did you get it?"

Mirelle was inside the carriage when a sudden man in a black cape entered.

"Yes, milady," he took out a strange little bottle. A black liquid was inside. "This is the best we could find in the black market."

"Who sold this to you?"

"The Golden Eagle Company, they are the best, milady."

Mirelle arched a brow. She had heard about that company, it had risen the last few years and had been established in different countries as a well-known crafting company. The machines they had created were a novelty in the world, and they were the only ones who had the exclusive patents to operate them.

Even if there were many experts trying to understand the complicated machinery, they couldn't comprehend even the beginning. It was so advanced that they could only admit defeat and beg for the Golden Eagle Company to accept them as their business partners or ȧssociates.

'This is perfect for that stupid princess. To be the wife of such a magnificent Duke, what a joke.'

Mirelle smiled, then signaled the man to get going and carry on with the second part of the plan. When he left the carriage, she frowned. She didn't like the sight of a commoner near her. "How disgusting."

The carriage continued with its path without knowing that someone had heard and seen everything.

"How dumb," the man in dark clothes and a mask covering his face said. "How dare he scheme against our captain… sigh… this will be fun to watch."

He continued following the carriage while sending a little message through a small communication device.

***

On the Royal Palace side, the nobles arrived in their pompous carriage that only displayed their magnific and wealthy families. Such extravagance came out as a form of respect for the Duke. They all wanted to make his acquaintance and stand on his good side, and so, their only way to gain attention was to enter the party with their best attires and catch his eye.

"When is he going to arrive?" one of the young ladies, daughter of a count said with eagerness in her eyes.

The other girls were the same as she. Though it was not only because of the mysterious Duke's arrival, also because the Crown Prince will make an appearance and the other young bachelors of many noble houses will arrive too.

"Oh… look!"

One of the girls signaled to the entrance, "Who is he?"

"I can't see!"

"Let's go to the front quickly."

They were in a frenzy. If not for their elegant and refined education, they would run as crazy fans to the frontline.

"He is Duke James Elvin and his son, Adam," one of the girls whispered.

The two men that entered the venue came along with two beautiful women, one of them was a tall regal woman with black hair, the other one was a girl with soft brown hair.

"Oh my, she is Count Lind's daughter, Amanda Lind," the soft murmurs began to increase again filling the air on the venue.

The beautiful girl with brown hair looked at the group of ladies and smiled. "Good evening."

'Hahaha, this is so entertaining,' Mina was looking at the little show from one of the balconies. She usually liked to spy on the venue to see those kinds of high-class drama and laugh a little. Though, this time, she was dimmed to be in the spotlight of the party.

"Captain, what do you want us to do with that Mirelle woman?"

Mina ċȧrėssed her chin in thought. "What should we do?"

The potion they sold her was a potent aphrodisiac, however, as one of the captains of the ȧssassin's groups, Mina was resistant to all the drugs and potions developed in the guild.

"I will take the drug," she said with a little grin, "afterward, make her follow you with one of my mother's letters. She will feel thrilled with it."

If she was the vain Mirelle she knew about, she wasn't going to let out the opportunity to get closer to the Queen and then to the Crown Prince. After all, if she failed to seduce the Duke, the second-best option was the Prince.

"Then…" Mina smiled mischievously, "give her the same potion. Sister told me not to kill her but I can play a little with her, right?"

The subordinate only sighed. It was hard to understand their leader's thoughts sometimes.

***

The two regal figures with crowns over their heads entered the hall while the rest of the nobles lowered their faces and chanted to the gods for their blessings over the Kingdom and the Royal Blood. It was a usual sign of respect in the Kingdom, though, it was inspired by an ancient legend.

They said that the spirits of life wandered around the world. If the people pray to them, they were blessed with fertile lands, health, and wealth. However, if the spirits entered in battle among themselves or were angry with the humans, they would punish the land with dries, floods, storms, and fire.

It was said that once, humanity made such a mistake that the spirits changed completely. From life to death. Then the death spirits were born. However, as the humans fought and pray for the life spirits, they chose to give humanity a new chance. Still, the death spirits that were controlled by impulse and blood didn't like the decision of the life spirits and started a war.

Only after many years of suffering, the life spirits unified their forces and defeated their enemies. They were imprisoned inside a cage that the life spirits kept hidden at the end of the world.

However, all of that was a legend. Humanity had long forgotten the existence of such creatures but still, the chants and songs were taught to the little children.

"Where is the Crown Prince?"

"I hadn't seen him," the ladies were still chatting among themselves, they were waiting for the handsome man with blue bright eyes and black hair. They didn't care about the silly princess that was lucky enough to get an engagement with the mysterious Duke.

Their only goal now was to appeal to the handsome prince.

"Where is he?"

The party had already begun and the first dance was already over, however, the prince hadn't made an appearance.

"Look!"

Finally, the announcement was made by the guard in the front and the doors opened for the man to come inside. However, he was not alone. A young woman was hanging by his arm. She wore a beautiful white long dress with pearls and diamonds on her neck and ears. She was indeed a gorgeous young lady. And she looked spectacular in that white dress.

However, what was more outstanding than any of those gems was her carefully braided black hair. Even if Mina was usually called silly and without any