Assassination I

"Pact of Vallansia"

An ancient pact between the Four Dukes and the King.

"What's so important in this thing?" Erin asked Diana. She was holding a small history book, sitting beside her on a rug-like carpet.

"You need to know that, my lady, because you are the direct lineage of House Alfredo. It is extremely important." Diana said. "Once upon a time, when it was practically impossible for dragons and humans to be friends, there were some open-minded people," she stated while rubbing her head.

"Why does every story have to start like that?" Erin cringed at the boring introduction.

Diana sighed and continued, "A dragon and his five closest friends sealed their lifelong bond by founding the Empire of Vallansia, a testament to the unbreakable power of friendship and unity"

"So that's how this kingdom started? It's simply rubbish." Erin repulsively commented.

"My lady." Diana silenced her and continued. "To bridge the gap between human frailty and draconic might, the dragon king shared his powers with his five closest friends. He himself took the position of king and his friends became the five dukes only loyal to him."

"Betrayal struck when one of the five Dukes turned against the dragon king, but timely intervention by loyal friends saved his life. The aftermath ignited a maelstrom of anger and mistrust among the remaining Dukes. To prevent such strife from ever recurring, a sacred Heavenly Pact was forged, sealing their bond with divine promise."

"No one from the Four Dukedoms can attack the king or his descendants no matter what. And this pact was named the pact of Vallansia."

**

Two days later....

"*sigh*"

"This will never end." I sighed, landing my head in the pile of papers. That maniac had handled this territory so well I think we might as well go broke another second. Huge scraps of documents were lying in front of me. My days were going by working and working.

"I miss fighting." I mumbled.

After taking the position of Duchess, I never got little rest; even my coronation ceremony was on hold. Currently half of Elmar was suffering from famine, and main trade routes were blocked by the riots. Citizens are starving and on the other hand, lots of nobles were living in luxury. My dukedom was on verge of collapsing.

"Rina~"

My whole body became alerted. Cian barged into my room with some desserts. Well, it's been two days since that incident, and the only thing that changed was him being clingy and caring for me the whole day.

Never did he leave my sight for once. Cian came with some cake; keeping the stuff on the table, he wrapped his arms around me.

"Are you still working?" He pouted, snuggling his face in my shoulders.

My face flushed red again; it was difficult to get accustomed to this. Talking about my memories... Yes, I still don't remember a single thing.

"Hey?" Cian kissed my cheeks. "Rina... did you take your medicine?"

"Erm...." If you do that, how the heck will I answer??

Well, the physician who's been treating me was none other than Cian. I was surprised to hear he learned this kind of stuff, but apparently our second prince was the best physician on this continent. Being a second prince, he had been given a lot more freedom than one could ask for.

He nibbled my ears, which made me moan.

"Your highness," I firmly said, "I have some work to do."

Once in a while he used to do stuff like this. He never crossed a line, but....

Like a small pup, he looked down. "Rina..." He looked at the papers in my hand and replied, "Half the country is facing this."

"You mean famine?"

He nodded, enveloping his arms around me, "MM... and it started from the west border."

"That's where the Cold War had started..." I added to his statement. "And where I lost my memories."

Could these things be related?

A question came to mind, but it vanished soon; losing memory and famine are two different things. Not to add, I had willingly given up my memory....

"I ought to go there." I announced. As the head of these lands, the western border is under my jurisdiction, so going there was inevitable.

"Nope," he firmly replied. His voice wasn't like usual; it was changed a little... harsh and possessive.

"..." I have no words.

"Never mind. I'll take a break now." As I rose from the chair, Cian swiftly sprang into action, presenting the cake and tea on the quaint side table. He settled in beside me on the sofa, carefully slicing the cake. With a gentle smile, he offered me the first bite, the fork hovering before my lips

It was familiar action, and somehow it didn't feel that strange. I munched that thing. He was smiling wildly like a happy pup.

"Rina, you're absolutely adorable from this angle~"

Cian's sudden compliment caught me off guard, and I choked on the cake.

'Puahhh!' I sputtered, my face burning with embarrassment. 'Cough cough!' I hacked away, trying to dislodge the offending morsel. How could he just blurt that out?! What angle could possibly make me look cute?! My cheeks flamed.

"Your highness, don't say stuff like that." I pleaded with him, one day this guy will be the reason for my funeral.

He tilted his head and said, "Eh? But I only said the truth..."

God, I will die from cuteness... This guy!!

How come he is cute and possessive at the same time???

I sighed and lifted up the teacup. Inhaling the aromatizing fragrance of cardamon, I took a sip and slowly kept it aside.

"Your highness, you're cute too." I teased him; well, it was the truth, and I wanted to say it for a long time.

Strangely, his pale cheeks flushed red. He covered his face with his hand to hide his face. His long hair was spread out wide on the sofa. This was my first time seeing this kind of face from him.

"Looks like you can't handle compliments." I laughed. Cian peeked through one of the gaps in his fingers.

For some reason a strange thought came across my mind. I picked that cake and brought it close to his mouth. "Your highness, say 'ah.'"

His eyes were widened. It was really difficult to control my laughter. Like a small kid, he nervously opened his mouth and gulped that cake.

"Ha ha ha," I started to laugh out loud.

"Rina, that's enough," he nervously said. Cian gently took a nearby cloth and delicately wiped the creamy residue from his own mouth. Then, with a tender gesture, he brought the cloth to my lips, softly cleaning away the stray cream with a touch that sent shivers down my spine.

Suddenly his smile faded and eyes widened in fear; yes, it was fear. I felt a moist sensation on my palm; it was a drop of blood. My head started to wobble and my vision was blurring. My heart was beating rapidly, and this body was stiffened. My mind was blank and cold.

Was the cake poisoned?

Or was it the tea?

But the person who brought it was none other than Cian.

Did Cian poison me?

Impossible. Maybe my mind was unstable, so I started doubting him. Cian has no reason to poison me; regardless, it was getting difficult to breathe.

I started to wheeze. My throat was swollen and burning rapidly, and not long after that I coughed up the patch of blood stuck in my throat.

Cian was panicked, doing something I just don't know. It was too tough to even notice him. He started to shout out my name loudly. I closed my eyes because it was too difficult to hold on.

**

"Where is that maid now?"

I slowly opened my eyes. It was difficult to process what was happening.

"Your highness, assassination and poisoning are common among nobles."

Assassination? Poisoning?

Was it poisoning?

"I know, but it feels a little fishy."

Am I alive after eating that poison?

"If you say so."

Cian was talking with someone. I had never seen that person.

"And-"

Cian glanced at me, quickly running towards me. "Rina!!"

He gripped my hand tightly. I tried to stand up from the bed, but he stopped me.

"You should rest." He firmly said,"

"What happened?" My brain was working slowly.

"You were poisoned." Tears flooded his eyes.

Soon the fog cleared. Apparently, the tea I had drunk had contained a lethal poison that brought me to this state; if it weren't for Cian, I might've suffered more consequences than this.

The maid and chef involved were in the dungeon now. I ought to go there to check on them.

Such a foolish mistake?

Just how the heck did I not notice it? It looks like my senses are becoming too dull.

"Are you fine, your highness?" since he might've made a contact with those things I asked him.

"Shut up."

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VOTE THIS CHAPTER IF YOU WANT SPICEY MOMENTS.

PS; CIAN MY BOY IS SO CUTE~