Chapter 18
It looked familiar somehow.
Ignoring the thugs crudely imitating it, I unfolded the scrap of paper. Scattered across the note were bizarre glyphs I couldn’t even begin to read.
What the hell is this?
“It’s a cipher. They left a message saying it would be more convenient if you memorized this translation key in advance.”
I opened the small notebook the bartender handed over.
An dizzying array of symbols stretched out before my eyes—it seemed to be some kind of phonetic script.
This is way too hard. And there are so many. Do all assassins memorize ciphers like this?
I got the intent, but it was a hassle. I’d have to head back to the mansion and match the cipher to the key one by one.
“I’m off.”
The executives, who had been cleaning and washing dishes while polishing glasses, stopped what they were doing and bowed in unison.
“Take care, Boss!”
“Take care, Boss!”
You guys are definitely from the assassin guild, right?
I came here to find my lost item, you know?
“Hey.”
Right after opening the door, I shared an important fact with them.
“I’m a woman.”
But before the executives could hear, the door slammed shut with a bang.
Hm, I’ll deal with that later.
Back at the mansion.
In between my afternoon chores (curtain washing today), I cross-referenced the note with the translation key.
According to the key, the note’s contents read as follows.
『Obtained information about the client from the valets.
The client has changed the mission due to repeated failures.
The new mission is to ‘slaughter all the employees of Weatherwoods Mansion, investigate the interior, and steal any items and information related to Dian Ket.’
Be wary of the assassins who will come looking later.』
The valets must refer to the two assassins who snuck in after the butler assassin.
Those two were really playing the part of valets at Eschla Mansion.
‘The client is after Dian Ket’s Legacy too. As expected, there must be a definite connection between the Weatherwoods family and Dian Ket.’
Me, Lu, and now the client. That’s three people I knew of who were after Dian Ket’s Legacy.
Lu’s involvement was based solely on the butler assassin’s testimony, but I was nearly convinced. There was no other reason for someone like him to personally take a job at Weatherwoods Mansion besides Dian Ket.
‘I need to get into the Weatherwoods Room soon.’
The problem was I had no clue where the key was.
I’d searched the head maid’s room while she was away, but hadn’t found anything resembling a keyring.
She must carry it on her person.
Should I slip some sleeping pills into her drink?
Nothing was ever straightforward.
Two days later, on a dreary morning shrouded in hazy gray clouds.
Today, Lu’s sprouts had grown a bit taller.
The ones transplanted to the garden looked sturdier than before, and since they were clustered in a circle instead of a straight line, it seemed Lu had replanted them from the start.
‘At least he covered them with soil.’
But there was a slight issue today.
Fireplace? Cleaned to perfection.
Grocery shopping? Lately, Lu sourced simple cooking ingredients straight from the farm, so I rarely had to go out.
Not losing an argument to Lu? That one… I’d half given up on.
Today’s problem was with the head maid.
If you asked if it was a big deal, it was hard to say yes. But from early morning until now—after Lu had prepared dinner and gone home—she’d been scrutinizing me nonstop. It was impossible not to notice.
Had she found out about the I’d procured from the pub?
Her gaze, stealthily trailing me, was deeply uncomfortable, so I spoke first.
“Spit it out.”
The head maid’s expression hardened.
She’d been peeking at me for ten minutes from inside the kitchen while I was hanging curtains in the back yard and taking a break.
“Miss Daisy.”
“Yes.”
“Ever thought about disguising yourself as a man?”
Her short remark sent cold sweat trickling down my back.
At the same time, a whirlwind of questions and assumptions raced through my mind.
‘Disguising myself as a man out of nowhere like this? Does she know my past? Does she know I’m Anderte? How? Who tipped her off? Or did she figure it out herself…?’
“Sigh. Surprised you, huh? Sorry, just let it go in one ear and out the other.”
…Not that?
‘But she’s definitely different from usual.’
Especially that letter that arrived two days ago.
Since then, the head maid had been clutching it and sighing deeply over and over.
What was going on? Judging by the paper’s luxurious quality in every way, it seemed like correspondence addressed to the Weatherwoods family, not her personally.
“Why?”
“It’s fine.”
“I swore an oath.”
I rolled up one sleeve to show the straight scar of the oath, and the head maid’s expression grew slightly more serious.
“Alright, since you’re part of Weatherwoods Mansion now too… it would be silly to keep hiding it. Two days ago, we got word from the Noble Assembly.”
“Noble Assembly?”
“Yes. The Noble Assembly refers to the seventeen most prestigious noble families in the Pen Rota Empire. It’s essentially an exclusive social club for the uppermost echelons, fostering camaraderie and cooperation. Though it’s laced with political motives that make it more than just a simple gathering.”
I had a rough idea of what it was like.
“The Weatherwoods family, with its deep history and high prestige, has long been a member. We held meetings once a year to discuss various practical matters. But as you know, Miss Daisy, for the past four years, our Weatherwoods family has…”
Been run by an egg instead of a person.
Aha. An egg can’t move around like a person, so…
“Long-term absence.”
“Exactly.”
“Kicked out!”
“Not yet. But it might be soon.”
Haaaah. The head maid let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes.
“By the rules, no Noble Assembly family can miss meetings for three years straight. Last year and before, exceptions were made due to the special circumstances of the Magic War, but not this year. If we don’t attend, we’ll be expelled from the Noble Assembly.”
“Sounds good to me.”
The head maid’s eyes snapped open, glaring at me.
“Good? Being expelled from the Noble Assembly would bring huge problems for the Weatherwoods family, beyond the dishonor. There are so many who held back from touching us solely because we were members.”
“So.”
Flutter. As I hung the last curtain on the line, I asked.
“You want me to go in his place?”
“No. Just a bit of meddling on my part. Let it go in one ear and out the other.”
“I’m for it.”
“…What?”
Thwack, thwack. I beat the curtain several times with the stick and headed toward the window.
Disguising myself as Viscount Weatherwoods to attend the Noble Assembly.
If I could pull off a perfect disguise, it would benefit me more than hurt.
Especially since I might get a glimpse of the client’s identity, who was watching me.
‘Given their level of intelligence—enough to access funding or military security… the client sending assassins to Weatherwoods is likely a member of the Noble Assembly. If Viscount Weatherwoods himself shows up, they’ll definitely take notice.’
If I could bait the client or make use of the other nobles, I might even track down another of Dian Ket’s relics.
For someone like me, stuck in the role of a maid and unable to easily leave Midwintree, it was a golden opportunity.
I pointed my thumb at my chest to show my confidence.
“No one could out-man me.”
The head maid’s eyes wavered slightly.
“Of course, for a woman, you’re tall and your gait has this oddly commanding presence, but…”
“If you send the master to the Noble Assembly, the Weatherwoods family is done for.”
“Don’t jinx it. You’re still sleek and handsome, at least.”
“But it’s an egg.”
“Who says.”
In that instant, a voice cut in from the side, leaving me speechless.
I heard someone swallowing dryly somewhere. The head maid and I turned our heads at the same time.
“The faceless master of Weatherwoods?”
A man with a sneer-like smile leaned against the wall, looking down at us.
“This is quite intriguing.”
Of all people, it was Lu.
‘My mistake.’
I’d only said it after confirming no one was around!
But Lu’s skill level was equal to or higher than mine, so he could hide his presence anytime. I’d overlooked that crucial detail without thinking.
“Watch what you say, Lu. How could the master be an egg? You’ve been reading too many novels. Show some restraint.”
Oaths like ‘I can’t divulge secrets’ are powerless in sudden situations like this.
The head maid made her brazen excuse, but Lu didn’t even bother listening. Instead, he jerked his chin toward my arm and shrugged.
“So that’s where you got that mark all of a sudden. Hmm. Having a secret chat without me, huh?”
“…When did you peek at my arm?”
“While you were doing dishes.”
I don’t roll my sleeves up that high even while dishwashing, enough to show the oath.
‘It must have shown through when it got wet.’
Sharp bastard.
To deduce that much just from the ‘egg’ info. At this point, it’d be hard to fool him on purpose.
Don’t glare like that, Head Maid. It’s not my fault. You let it slip too, all casual.
Lu, hands in his pants pockets and head tilted sideways, looked at the head maid.
“Nothing to say to me?”
“…What do you want?”
Staring into her hostile green eyes, Lu replied calmly.
“Etch one on me too, the mark of the oath. In a mansion with only three employees total. We should live and die together, right?”
