22 When Will I get a Peaceful Life?

After another day of training, I finally was granted a day off. I made sure to lay in bed all day to make the most of it, much to the displeasure of Lona. She sure seems to nag a lot. If I didn't know better I would have thought she was my mother.

At night, she would would draw me a nice fragrant warm bath. At first, I was a bit weirded out by the fact that she would help me bathe. But after a while, I got used to it.

I stuck my leg out of the bath at her, "Lona, can you massage my leg?"

"Yes, little Miss."

As she massaged my leg I finally understood what the saying "a blissful life" meant.

"Ahh. That feels so good. My muscles are so sore I can barely move."

"If it's that bad, then why don't you stop training to be a knight?"

"Unfortunately, I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because, if I quit then that means William and Dante wins. And I refuse to let them do that."

"I see. And for what reason did you want to become a knight?"

I paused. I gave a guilty smile, "To be honest. I forgot." I looked at her disapproving glare and quickly added, "But I know it was important! I probably wanted to protect everyone. Yeah, that sounds right."

Okay, that's flat out a lie. Why the hell would I want to protect anyone? But she doesn't need to know that.

She sighed, "I've known you for a while so don't lie to me. I know you would think that protecting anyone is too much work."

Oh sh*t. She knows me too well.

She continued, "Whatever your reason is, I'm sure it would make me angry either way."

I have a feeling she is right.

"Well. It doesn't matter why I wanted to back then. All that matters is that I get so awesome that Dante and William cry."

"Why do you want them to cry?"

"Because they are bastards."

"Aren't they your friends?"

"No! They decided we were but never asked me. Why would I ever want to be friends with them? William is so entitled and smug, I really want to punch him. And Dante is so fake and evil, I want to punch him too!"

She chuckled, "It seems like you three get along very well."

"Us? Get along? Please. I am too intelligent and amazing to be stuck with them."

"I would say violent and overconfident."

"What? I'm not f*cking violent!"

"Can't forget vulgar. Didn't you say you would stop swearing as much?"

I sunk deeper into the tub and mumbled, "I can't help it. It's engrained into my brain."

"Then we will have to get you a better brain."

"Hah. Hah."

After my bath, she put me to bed and I pretended to be sleepy. I yawned and closed my eyes. I waited until I heard her leave and walk down the hall. I quickly sprung out of bed.

Hehehehehe. I've been waiting for this all week. Finally! I can go get the book I requested. Ahh. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

I used my rope to climb out of my room once the coast was clear. I skipped into the night towards the red light district.

I've always loved the night. It's the perfect temperature and it's a bit spooky. Such a wonderful combination! I used to always stay up late at night in my previous world. Of course, I would be reading novels online until my eyes came bloodshot, but it was refreshing.

I walked into the bookstore and smiled at the clerk.

"Hey old man. I'm back."

"I told you, I'm not an old man. I just turned 30."

"Yeah, yeah Gramps. So do you have the book?"

"I thought you died since you didn't come pick it up."

I smacked my chest, "Nope. I'm very much alive. I've just been busy."

"So I've heard."

I froze. He's heard? Oh no what is it this time.

"Oh? What have you heard?"

"I heard that your master made the prince and his friend his mark. When a rival came to kill him, your master actually forced them to eat poison in front of him and they died so violently!"

I swallowed hard. Violently you say?

"For some reason, he let the two who masterminded it go. However, now no one can find them and no one knows where they went. Although, we all know it was your master. You truly work for a terrifying man."

I'm sure those two ran off in the middle of the night. At least, that would have been the smart thing to do.

I nodded, "Yes. My master warns everyone not to cross him. They didn't listen."

He shifted from fear, "I understand that. Everyone does now. No one will dare do anything to cross him. Especially, me. You let him know that too."

"Yeah yeah. He's happy with you for now. You can relax. Just keep doing business with us and everything will be okay."

"I will! In fact, you can have a deal on this book! Just take it. Tell your master it is a symbol of my cooperation."

I nodded and smiled, "That's very kind of you. I'm sure my master would be very pleased."

I waved to him and left. I can't believe I got this for free!!! Wow! I didn't know it would be so beneficial to work for someone so scary. I should have invented him sooner!!!

As I walked throughout the red light district, everyone moved out of my way and bowed. God d*mn. I'm respected now. That's right. Move aside.

There's no way this could end badly.

I returned back to my room and began to read my new book. After reading into the wee hours of the night, and suffering major nosebleeds, I stashed my new book in my hiding place and went to sleep.

I was awakened by Lona a few hours later. I groaned as she dragged me out of bed.

"What happened last night?! Did you have another bloody nose?"

"Mhm. Dry air."

She began to get me ready, "I didn't think the air was dry last night."

"Then humid. I don't know."

As she got me ready I purposely ignored my reflection. I'm still beautiful even when I'm sleep deprived, but maybe a little less than usual.

I walked into the school yawning. Today's going to be a rough day, but it was worth it. I looked around the hallway and noticed Dante and William standing in front of me. They were both staring at me and giving the same creepy smile. I am used to seeing William when I come in, but not Dante.

I gave an uneasy smile, "Can I help you?"

They both grabbed my hand and began to drag me down the hall. They took me to an abandoned hallway.

Oh my god. They are going to kill me. Sh*t. Is it because I considered letting them get poisoned? But I swear I only thought about it for a moment!!!

They both put one of their arms against me and pinned me to the wall. Oh sh*t. Is this the famous two person wall slam?! I've never seen a wall slam before. I've only read about it before. I must admit, it's a bit nice to see it in person. But, you can easily escape. Just one kick to the crotch and-

"Oi."

I jumped and looked at William, "Hey boys. It's nice to see you again. What's up?"

William sighed, "Do you not have anything you want to say to us?"

I tilted my head in confusion, "Uhm. You look very nice today? Did you get a haircut?"

He growled, "No. Not that. But yes, I did get a haircut."

"It looks very nice."

He smiled smugly, "Thank you."

Dante spoke, "William. Focus."

"Oh. Yes, sorry."

D*mmit. I almost had him.

Dante continued, "We tried to get you to admit it, but since you won't, let me do it for you. Two cooks attempted to poison us and you somehow figured it out and prevented it. The other two who set it up, were also found out by you."

My jaw dropped. How did they figure it out? Did someone blab?

He smiled, "I have my ways."

I forgot that Dante was good at detective sh*t. Everyone went to him in the novel if they needed to figure something out.

"So, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Oh god. They are actually about to kill me. Is this one of those last word scenarios?

"I promise that I only thought about letting them poison William a bit. B-but just enough to make him sick."

William blinked, "Wait. What?"

Dante ignored him, "Well since you didn't let us get poisoned we have something to say." He paused and looked at William.

William frowned, "I don't want to say it now. She just said she thought about letting me eat it."

Dante quickly jabbed him in the stomach. William groaned and grabbed his stomach. They both released me from the wall slam attack and bowed.

They spoke in unison, "Thank you for saving us."

My face twitched, "Wait. Am I not going to die?"

William glared at me, "Why would you think you were going to die?"

I looked around, "Well you brought me to an empty area that no one really uses. What else would I think?"

William thought for a second, "I guess that does make sense."

Dante shook his head, "But we would never hurt you."

That's gold coming from the kid who grows up to kill my character.

William nodded abruptly, "That's right!"

"Anyways, we got you something to say thank you."

Dante elbowed William again. William pulled out a necklace and handed it to me. He looked away blushing slightly, "We didn't know what you liked so we had someone help us pick it out."

I looked at it in surprise. I held it up to my eyes and looked at the jewels carefully. Are these real diamonds?! Just how much did this cost?

I smiled, "This looks expensive."

William looked at me, "Do you like expensive things?"

Well. I like to sell them.

Dante took it from my hand and put it around my neck. I froze at his sudden action.

He smiled, "There. It looks nice on you."

William nodded, "I guess it's not so bad."

I looked down at it around my neck, "Well, I usually don't like to wear such flashy things. But, I guess it's pretty nice."

Dante stared at me, "Are diamonds your favorite?"

I shook my head slightly, "I think pearls are my favorite. They say that no two pearls are the same. Not to mention they come from oysters and those taste delicious!"

William frowned, "You are such a glutton."

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Meanwhile, in a distant castle, a man with straight black hair and golden eyes sat at a desk finishing paperwork. He wore a bright red suit with gold lining. He sat in a dignified position as if asserting his prowess.

A man with blondish brown hair and brown eyes walked in. He was covered in blood. He bowed, "Your highness."

The king nodded to him, "Did they say who was behind it?"

"They admitted to it."

"And what about the 'Black Death' fellow?"

He shook his head, "They didn't know much about him. They just said he was the one who discovered the plot and stopped it. Apparently, The Black Death master has claimed the Prince under his protection but they have no idea why."

"Is that all?"

"No. I feel as though they aren't telling me everything."

"You? Then I suppose you have to be more rough."

"Unfortunately, the woman already died. I pushed her too hard. I fear the man will follow soon. Whoever they are protecting, they are far more afraid of them than me."

"Hmm. I see. Perhaps this man is stronger than we thought. Since he doesn't seem to be targeting us, it'd be best not to poke the hornet's nest. Don't antagonize him, but find out what you can."

"Yes, your highness."

The king leaned forward and brought his hands together deep in thought.

"Whoever this 'Black Death' man is, he is certainly powerful and fearsome. We must be careful."

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As I sat at my desk, I sneezed. Ugh. Why do I feel like someone is talking about me?