“Your Highness!”

  Daphne bowed slightly as I stepped out of my grandparents’ estate.

  “Daphne?” I raised a brow in mild surprise. “What are you doing here?”

  She puffed her cheeks cutely before blinking up at me. “Of course I’m waiting for Your Highness. That’s what a proper servant does.”

  “…You know that’s not what I meant.” I shook my head with an exasperated sigh.

  She giggled softly. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I finished my duties early… and I missed you. So I thought I’d surprise you.”

  I smiled wryly and reached out, lightly pulling her cheeks. “Well, consider me surprised.”

  With that, I turned toward the carriage waiting nearby.

  Daphne pouted at my reaction but said nothing more. We were still in public. No matter how indulgent I was with her in private, appearances had to be maintained. She quietly followed me and boarded the carriage.

  “Return to the palace,” I ordered calmly.

  The coachman nodded without expression and cracked the reins. The horses began moving at a steady pace.

  Inside the carriage, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Daphne sat close, her shoulder brushing against mine. After a while, her playful side returned, and she began teasing me softly, careful not to make too much noise that might alert the coachman.

  Then suddenly—

  She froze.

  Her nose twitched slightly as she leaned closer.

  “…Your Highness,” she murmured suspiciously, “what is this scent on your clothes?”

  “…What scent?” A bead of cold sweat slid down my back, though I kept my face perfectly composed.

  Her brows furrowed. She sniffed again.

  “Your Highness… what happened while I was away?”

  Damn.

  Daphne was frighteningly perceptive when it came to these things.

  I searched quickly for an excuse. The last thing I needed right now was another cold war with her—

  But at that moment, something outside caught my attention.

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  My expression changed instantly.

  “Daphne,” I said in a lowered voice, “something is wrong.”

  Her teasing demeanor vanished. She immediately straightened, her face turning pale.

  “Y-Your Highness…?”

  I lowered my head slightly and activated Akashic Sight.

  The world shifted.

  Mana flows, hidden movements, concealed presences—all of it unfolded within my perception. In mere seconds, the situation became crystal clear.

  Isolation barrier.

  Six hidden signatures.

  One at the eighth layer.

  One mage among them.

  I exhaled slowly.

  “…They move quickly.”

  “Your Highness?” Daphne’s voice trembled.

  I gently patted her head. “Don’t worry. Just wait a moment. Everything will become clear soon.”

  She looked confused—but she trusted me. She nodded silently.

  A few minutes later, the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

  “…Your Highness, we’ve arrived,” the coachman said.

  Daphne’s grip on my sleeve tightened. She understood now. If she couldn’t sense it directly, she could at least feel the tension.

  I stepped down from the carriage calmly.

  This was not the palace.

  Instead, we stood in a narrow street within the noble district—old houses lining both sides, windows shut tight, no pedestrians, no servants, no guards.

  Too quiet.

  “What is the meaning of this?” I asked the coachman, my voice steady.

  He avoided my gaze.

  “I’m sorry, Your Highness,” he muttered. “I couldn’t refuse their offer. The payment was enough to live the rest of my life without worries.”

  I stared into his eyes.

  “Do you truly believe you will live long enough to enjoy it?”

  His lips trembled. Then he gritted his teeth. “Perhaps not. But I’m willing to take that risk.”

  “…How unfortunate.” I shook my head. “I hope you do not regret your choice.”

  “He won’t, Your Highness.”

  A black-robed figure stepped out from one of the abandoned houses.

  His face was covered with a dark mask. A sword rested at his waist.

  Eighth layer of mana.

  Moments later, five more figures emerged from the shadows. The weakest among them was at the sixth layer. One radiated the distinct signature of a mage.

  A translucent barrier shimmered faintly around the street.

  Isolation barrier.

  They had prepared thoroughly.

  “Don’t bother trying to delay, Prince Edric,” the leader said calmly. “This location was carefully selected. Close enough to the palace to avoid suspicion. Empty for years. Even if someone passes nearby, they won’t perceive anything within the barrier.”

  “…To think someone dares attempt to assassinate a prince of the Eldoria Imperium.” I crossed my arms and sneered lightly.

  The leader frowned.

  I could feel his unease.

  I was too calm.

  Daphne suddenly jumped down from the carriage.

  “Your Highness!” she shouted, standing directly in front of me.

  She spread her arms wide, shielding me with her body.

  “If you want to harm His Highness, you’ll have to step over me first!”

  The assassins fell silent.

  The leader sighed faintly. “Your loyalty is admirable. But it changes nothing, young lady.”

  “Hmph!” Daphne stood her ground.

  I smiled helplessly and grabbed her arm.

  In one motion, I pulled her into my embrace.

  “Kya—!”

  “Silly girl,” I whispered. “What kind of man would I be if I let my woman protect me?”

  “Y-Your Highness!” Her face flushed crimson.

  I placed a finger gently against her lips. “Shh. Leave this to me. Watch closely.”

  I kissed her forehead and stepped forward.

  The assassins stiffened.

  I unsheathed my sword slowly. The blade gleamed faintly under the dim light of the street.

  Taking a relaxed stance, I smirked.

  “Well then,” I said calmly, “who will be first?”

  The leader’s unease deepened.

  “Be careful!” he suddenly shouted to his men.

  Too late.

  I stepped forward.

  In that instant, my presence vanished.

  The world slowed.

  And then—

  A flash.

  A clean arc of silver.

  Before anyone could react—

  One head separated cleanly from its body.

  It flew through the air.

  And blood painted the silent street red.