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Prologue
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Amidst the fierce snow storm, Alessia's bloody leather boots were buried in the thick snow at every step. Her open wounds were freezing just as much as she is despite her layers and layers of garments. Her teeth bared through the cold storm, determined to reach the palace and report her mission to His Majesty.
"Argh!" She grunted as the snowstorm in the meadows threw her to a nearby tree, rocking the birds and letting snow fall to her. How is all the misfortune suddenly dumping on her? She begrudgingly rose back to her feet after huffing a heavy amount of snow that fell on her. The visibility was nearing zero around her because of the raging storm nearby which made it more difficult for her to return, and having the dozen men that came with her when she started this mission, she felt the responsibility of completing this mission heavier than the amount of snow on her back. She must return, for her men to be recognized for dying a heroic death.
Finally, after the grueling torture of hell commonly called the woods, she reached the grand gates of the royal palace. With a limping right foot and hand over her bleeding left shoulder, she locked eyes with the guards and delivered a stare that shot right through their spine.
Despite being unrecognizable with the amount of white snow that fell on her and the gross bloody clothes, her stare was enough of an introduction.
"Open the gates! It's the King's Assassin!"
Even at her state, none of the men had the guts to help her. She was a woman of great honor, and maybe greater pride, so the men around her didn't move an inch. All they did was open doors for her. Even the royal helpers that passed by her had the guts to shoot her a disgusted look.
As the throne room's double doors opened, Alessia hung her head low for appearing in front of His Majesty in such a horrible state. But it was protocol that she report to him first after returning.
"Your Majesty," she bowed with utmost respect. Her chocolate brown locks sticky with blood retained its mild glow as the sun rays met her hair. "Forgive me for the mess. The mercenary was a tricky target. He trapped us in multiple dangerous traps, every one of which deteriorated my troops. I apologize for only being able to return myself."
The King, clad in his formidable golden mantle while seated on his high-backed velvet chair and arm rest with a golden frame in the middle of the elevated platform as the flag of his kingdom — Caelum — was hung elegantly, nodded calmly. As if he expected it to happen.
"Were they a burden to you?" His low, calm yet domineering voice reigned on all four corners. Alessia unconsciously gulped the lump in her throat. The men were kind and dedicated men, but they were a heavy baggage to carry around. They couldn't move unless ordered, they couldn't formulate their own strategies of combat, nor could they figure out teamwork. They were nice men, but hindered her from executing the mercenary cleaner than usual. She was an assassin, not a leader for soldiers.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hmm. That was a test I tried and it failed." He nodded repeatedly and chuckled. Alessia's eyes slightly rose to him. "Make haste in healing yourself and embark on your next mission quickly. I assume this will take time in finishing."
Her head rose but her eyes remained down. "Pardon me, Your Highness, but what mission am I to face next?"
From the tension in the room, she could already expect it'd be something about the entire kingdom's well-being again. He trusted her that much. If her shallow breathing isn't enough, her heart also starts to race. The corner of the King's mouth curled.
"The Prince of the Dragon-borns is looming in the dark and will soon attempt to spark terror at the towns. Silence him, Alessia."
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The world around Alessia stopped. The flow of her time was interrupted by the shock that took its time sinking in as she felt the blood gushing from her abdomen. She was stone-shelled for a moment as her eyes just stared back at the perpetrator, wide-eyed and in disbelief. It had been years since she felt real pain. She had always considered her combat skills above average, but that was only on a human-scale. Because she was quite sure the perpetrator is no human, because his eyes glinted a shade of gold and his skin shone like scales.Her reflexes weren't good enough against him. She wasn't good enough.Against dragons.
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The Supreme Alpha's commanding voice boomed in all four corners of the room. He has stormy gray hair and equally stormy eyes. His regal red mantle rested comfortably on his broad shoulder, and his golden-threaded tunic hugged his well-framed body perfectly. His eyes were as sharp as his jawline. Alessia couldn't find any fault in his physical appearance at all. He was godly."Have you had your meal yet, Clyde?"Clyde chuckled and shook his head. "I haven't. I was waiting for someone to eat with me until I found out she fell fast asleep," he replied, sparing Alessia a glance."Oh." The Supreme Alpha's gaze followed Clyde's and met hers. She awkwardly curtsied and avoided his gaze. "Is she your wife?""No." Clyde was quick to deny it as if he hated the very idea of it. "We've formed an alliance with each other and will part ways after our mission."He introduced her as his
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"What are you trying to say?" He frowned and stopped cleaning the blood on her waist. "Should I throw you out, then? Or leave you here 'til you die and rot?"Alessia sighed. "I'm just gonna be a burden. This will take me a long time to heal, so you should just carry on with your mission."She was spouting nonsense. That much she knew. He's her target, she can't let him go loose. But something different is going on with her today. It was so unlike her."Are you telling me to leave you here? The only company I have? That's an enticing offer, but no thank you," he said, nonchalance dripping in every word. He continued cleaning her with his slightly damp cloth, unbothered by her earlier remarks.Alessia rolled her eyes. "I'm being selfless for once, Clyde. Don't waste this opportunity. I don't want to see you still in here when the sun rises—"Her heart skipped a beat and th
