Chapter 9
They say humans are creatures of adaptation. It was about the time when repeated assassinations started to feel like part of my daily routine. I set foot in the mistress’s mansion. If you ask why I was doing something so crazy, it’s because no matter how much you hear about the enemy, it’s just an inference formed from others’ evaluations. I needed to see it for myself.
“M-Master. May I ask what brings you here?” The butler, who was opening the door, was startled and bowed his head. His severe trembling was evident in his voice as well.
“It’s mealtime, so I came. Why, is it so strange for a family to eat together?”
“Pardon?”
The original Hersel would have eaten alone, holed up in his room. It was hard to imagine a brat who would dine merrily with his family. Moreover, no matter how clueless he was, he must have known that the mistress and his half-siblings disliked him. It’s no wonder the butler was surprised that such a person suddenly showed up talking about family meals.
“Is there a problem? Surely there’s enough time to set another place at the table.”
“Y-Yes, of course…”
The reactions of the other servants were the same. Those I passed whispered behind their covered mouths as I walked. They were clearly agitated, which worked in my favor. It would be hard for them to decide whether to attempt an assassination here and now. They couldn’t have anticipated such a sudden, unexpected move.
Of course, there are exceptions for those who are thoroughly prepared.