WHM | Chapter 37

~Chapter 37~

“Could it be Ced—”

As soon as Diana tried to raise her voice, Eileen grabbed the hem of her dress and shook her head.
From what she could hear, it definitely wasn’t Cedric. The heavy voices of two grown men were slowly getting closer.

We need to hide.

A chilling sense of danger pressed down on Eileen’s chest. She leaned closer and whispered in the lowest voice possible:

“Let’s go upstairs.”

“Upstairs?”

When Diana repeated the words too loudly, Eileen pressed a finger to her lips, signaling her to be quiet.

It’s not Cedric’s men either, is it?

She had briefly considered that maybe Mary had gotten worried and told Cedric about her whereabouts earlier. But if the men were here to find them, they would’ve already been calling out their names. They wouldn’t be approaching so cautiously.

If it were Cedric, he would’ve come himself, not sent someone else.

Eileen hurried Diana up the tower stairs.

“This way.”

They had just reached the second floor, separated by a half-circle staircase, when the door below creaked open. Eileen quickly pressed herself against the wall and peered down.

“…Is anyone here?”

“No. No one.”

Two rough-looking men entered one after the other. They wore black clothes, hoods pulled low, and were fully armed. Despite their size, they moved with no sound at all.

…Assassins? No way…

One scanned the area with sharp eyes while the other crouched, examining the pile of sticks Diana had gathered earlier.

“Looks like someone tried to start a fire here.”

“Probably just kids playing around. There’s no warmth.”

“Hmm… true.”

It was a relief Diana didn’t know how to light a fire. If she had, the lingering warmth would have exposed them.

The larger man slumped against the wall and sat down.

“Let’s rest a bit. We should also look around more.”

“What’s the point? We just need to slip inside and slit his throat.”

“Still, from the look of it, the security’s stricter than expected. We’ll need a distraction.”

“Then you handle it. I’ll divert their attention.”

From their conversation, the truth was clear: they were here to kill someone. Most likely Cedric.

Diana, who had been holding her breath, looked at Eileen with wide, anxious eyes.

We have to wait.

Eileen mouthed the words without making a sound.

Cedric will come. He definitely will.

Diana didn’t understand how Cedric could possibly know to come here, but she still nodded.

But maybe because she felt a bit relieved, she made a mistake. As she leaned back to sit more comfortably, her arm hit a long stick propped against the wall.

The stick clattered to the ground with a loud clunk.

“Ah…”

Diana slapped both hands over her mouth and looked at Eileen for help. But what could she do?

“What was that?”

“A rat, maybe.”

There was one desperate option. Earlier, Eileen had noticed a large sack beside the men—filled with dirt or fertilizer. She pointed at it, then gestured downwards.

Drop it.

Would Diana understand? Hopefully. After all, anyone would panic if something strange suddenly rained down from above.

“I’ll check.”

One of the men began to rise—just as Eileen shoved the sack with all her strength.

“Agh! What the—!”

“Dirt! In my eyes!”

“Run!”

Eileen shouted, but Diana was already dashing down the stairs at full speed, faster than she’d ever seen her move. Eileen, slowed by her dress, was one step behind.

“There really is someone here!”

“Catch them. Kill them.”

Their cold words rang out as the two girls burst outside.

But unlike Diana, who kept running, Eileen turned back. She slammed the door shut, dropped the wooden bar into place, and leaned her body against it to hold it.

“Diana! Go call for help. Hurry!”

“Aren’t you coming?”

“If we both get caught, it’s over. You’re faster than me.”

Their eyes met. Diana’s wavered with hesitation.

If only she’d just turn and run without looking back…

Behind her, the door rattled violently as the assassins tried to force it open. Eileen could barely hold it shut.

“Hurry!”

Her sharp cry finally jolted Diana into action. After hesitating, she turned and sprinted toward the castle, the faint light guiding her in the dark.

How long can I hold them off…

Now they were kicking the door, trying to smash it down. It was old wood; it wouldn’t last long.

Eileen watched Diana grow smaller and smaller in the distance, then braced herself.

One, two, three—

CRACK.

The wood splintered beside her waist, shards flying everywhere. She let go and immediately bolted.

“Get her!”

She knew she’d be caught soon, and sure enough, a brutal hand grabbed her hair and yanked her back.

“Aaah!”

“Go after the other one. I’ll handle this.”

“Make sure you finish the job.”

The pull sent her sprawling. Pain shot through her ankle as it twisted beneath her. She couldn’t even stand properly.

A rough hand grabbed her shoulder, pressing a blade cold and sharp against her throat. One swipe and it would all be over.

Eileen thought she was ready to die, but with death right in front of her, she knew she wasn’t—at least, not like this.

Not such a meaningless death… I want to survive. I want to endure.

Steadying her shaking voice, she tried a desperate gamble.

“Wait. Whatever you were paid, I can give you more.”

That was the second reason she had stayed behind. Men like these usually worked for money, not loyalty.

The assassin paused.

“…What are you, some noble’s daughter?”

“What if I am? You won’t escape anyway. Soon the soldiers from the castle will be here.”

She wasn’t sure if her bluff worked, but she had to keep him talking.

Their eyes met. He glanced at her hair, then back at her face.

“You. What’s your name?”

“Does it matter?”

“You’re…”

“Eileen!”

Hearing her name called had never felt so relieving. Cedric’s voice—though distant—echoed across the wind.

But instead of panicking, the assassin smiled. A chilling, sinister smile.

“So you’re Eileen Cassiar.”

The knife pressed harder against her neck. He was ready to end her life in one motion.

How does he know my name…?

No time to think. She struggled, kicking and thrashing.

“Let me go! Let go!”

“Die quietly—”

She had no chance of overpowering him, especially with her injured ankle. She nearly gave up—until a dull thud sounded behind her. The assassin’s grip loosened, then collapsed completely.

The knife sank straight into his head, a perfect hit.

“…What…?”

Eileen turned her head just as the sound of hooves filled the air. Cedric leapt down from his horse, storming toward her.

“Are you insane? Why would you come out here alone? If you knew where Diana was, you should’ve told me!”

He reached her, gripping her shoulders tightly, his words spilling out without pause.?