Chapter 3

The first thing I had to do for my divorce was to cancel the assassination order and erase all evidence. After all, I needed to stay alive to get divorced.

The guild master did not keep any records.

If the assassination was discovered, he would be the one in the most danger since he was making money through such an unethical and ruthless method.

‘If I just erase his memory, it will be the perfect cover-up.’

I discreetly touched my hand and pressed the decoration on my ring, opening its lid.

A colorless, odorless drug, which erased memories for about three days, vaporized into the air.

It was something I had bought at an auction after my debutante, where my aunt had taken me to experience the dark side of society.

Since I had already taken the antidote, inhaling the gas would not harm me.

‘Good thing I kept it.’

I smirked as I dreamed of committing the perfect crime.

At that moment, a messy man, looking like he hadn’t washed in days, entered with a heavy sigh.

I was sure he was the guild master. I had seen him through my drunken, blurry vision before.

I secretly smiled.

The moment he breathed, the drug in the air would start stimulating his left hippocampus.

“I’m busy as hell. What do you want, lady?”

The guild master, dressed in rags, sat on the old sofa across from me, panting.

The worn-out leather couch made a hissing sound as he sat.

I gracefully lifted my teacup.

“First, have some tea and catch your breath. You seem flustered by my sudden visit.”

Tsk. The impatient guild master drank the cold tea without hesitation, finding it too much trouble to refuse.

“Tch.”

He wiped his mouth roughly with the back of his hand.

“So, why did you come here?”

“I want to cancel my request.”

I calmly placed my teacup down.

The guild master frowned deeply and clicked his tongue. Tsk. He should have known from the moment I made the request while drunk.

Muttering to himself, he glared at me as if he would throw me out by force if necessary.

“Hey, lady. Is this how it’s gonna be? We make a living off of these jobs.”

As expected. I lowered my eyes, pretending to be pitiful.

‘He took everything in the divorce. I’m struggling financially now, so wasting money is a shame, but…’

I looked up again and smiled slightly.

“You don’t have to return the deposit.”

The guild master’s eyes widened like lanterns. His greedy lips twitched.

“Oh? Now that’s a different story.”

“Will you cancel it?”

“Of course, lady. No problem at all.”

He winked slyly and pressed a button under the corner of the desk next to the sofa.

“Come here.”

Bang!

The door burst open, and a young boy with a round head entered.

As I widened my eyes in surprise at the fast response, the guild master stepped outside to talk with the boy.

Time passed. Just as I was growing impatient, the guild master peeked through the door with an awkward expression, scratching the back of his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well… There’s a problem, lady.”

The guild master gave me a troubled smile, showing his yellowed teeth.

“The assassin has already been sent.”

What?! I jumped to my feet, my face turning pale. My sudden movement knocked over the teacup, spilling tea onto the table and dripping onto the floor.

‘Damn it…’

So, they had already been sent to kill.

* * *

**Razbel Road, 3rd Street**

A woman was struggling to carry a gift box, groaning softly as she walked. She passed through the square and headed toward a famous café street in Razbel.

She seemed to be in her early to mid-twenties.

She had long, silky brown hair tied in a half-up style and innocent, bright brown eyes.

‘Found her. Lilien Mipedian.’

I hid in the alley and smirked.

The guild master had told me where the assassin had been sent and described Lilien’s appearance.

‘Lady Lilien Mipedian of the Mipedian Count family. Your target is a silver-haired, brown-eyed girl who looks like a puppy. Can you recognize her?’

Oh, very well. I would love to answer now.

As soon as I heard, I had borrowed a horse and rushed here. I was so nervous that, even with my mask on, I barely noticed how stuffy it felt.

Cold sweat had drenched the reins from my worries that I might be too late or fail to find her.

‘Now, I just need to find the assassin.’

Just then—

While I was loosening my grip on the reins, my horse suddenly reared up and charged out of the alley.

‘Damn it…!’

Worse, it was heading straight for Lilien.

“Kyaa!”

Lilien gasped and dropped her box.

People murmured and scattered as the horse raised its front legs toward her.

I swiftly grabbed Lilien and pulled her into the alley, holding her tightly.

The box she had been carrying lay abandoned at the alley entrance.

The excited horse stomped its hooves again.

From outside, someone cursed, demanding to know who had let a horse loose. After a while, the city guards took the horse away, and the commotion settled.

As the sound of hooves faded, I happened to look up and noticed something glinting on a rooftop.

‘…!’

The assassin was there, licking a dagger ominously with a thick tongue.

‘Found him.’

I immediately pulled out the contract cancellation document signed by the guild master.

The hidden assassin nodded, put away his dagger, and disappeared.

Ha, what a relief. I finally let out a breath of relief, knowing I had stopped a chain of murders from the original story. Now, I should be safe too.

Just as I was thinking that—

“U-um…”

A soft, embarrassed voice came from below my chin.

Oh, right. I quickly stepped back and removed my mask. My thick hair fell and brushed against Lilien’s face.

She blinked blankly and rubbed her cheek, still processing what had just happened.

She looked so adorable that I let out a small chuckle.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes! I’m fine.”

Lilien, now fully alert, looked at my attire. Realizing I was a noblewoman, she politely asked,

“Are you alright, madam?”

Despite being the one most shocked, she was concerned about me. Just as her kind and harmless appearance suggested.

‘How did someone so sweet end up with that trash…?’

I sighed and nodded instead of answering.

Seeing that I was unharmed, Lilien gave me a bright smile.

“I’m glad you’re safe. Thank you for saving me. I almost died.”

Well… she almost did. I couldn’t laugh at her joke. My conscience pricked at me.

Lilien glanced at her fallen box in concern, then hesitated before speaking.

“Thank you, madam. May I offer you a reward…?”

“No need.”

Lilien blinked. Normally, she would have insisted, but my firm tone made her nod instead.

“Oh… Then, I’ll be going. Thank you again, madam. Take care.”

Just as she turned to pick up her box, I quickly spoke with a serious expression.

“Stop seeing that man.”

“Huh…?”

Lilien turned around in shock, looking confused.

I sighed, feeling a sense of duty to save this innocent woman.

“That man is married.”

Lilien’s face turned pale.

“M-married?!”