Chapter 48: The Assassin, the Proposal, and the Impossible Condition

Lucy walked with steady steps toward the direction the arrow had come from, her eyes narrowing. Ahead of her, Rubia moved with swift, calculated strides, ever vigilant.

Lucy knew full well that she was stronger than her, but Rubia had a duty to fulfill.

‘If anything happens, I will throw myself to protect Her Majesty the Princess,’ Rubia resolved silently.

With a bright, determined face, she declared, “I will be your shield!”

Lucy, however, ignored her. It wasn’t out of disregard—she was simply wearing a death-avoidance ring on her index finger. To her, relying on that was more practical than risking someone else’s life for her own safety.

She activated her Demon Eye, scanning the dense forest. The unknown enemy, realizing that Lucy was approaching, attempted to flee. But the magic eye had already pinpointed their location.

“Nine o’clock, above the tree,” she instructed Rubia.

“I got that,” she responded without hesitation, dashing forward.

The moment the hidden assassin sensed their cover had been blown, they launched a preemptive strike. From between the bushes, dozens of magic arrows rained down. The first arrow split midair, multiplying into a deadly barrage.

Rubia twisted her body gracefully, flipping through the air, dodging the incoming projectiles with acrobatic precision. Her movements were so fluid, so refined, that Lucy unconsciously clapped her hands in admiration.

“It’s my turn now,” Rubia muttered.

She drew a dagger from beneath her skirt and flicked it in the direction of the attack. The blade, coated in a potent purple poison, sliced through the air. But it missed—the enemy had already relocated, using invisibility magic to mask their position.

The attacks resumed, this time from multiple directions. The enemy was altering the arrows’ trajectory mid-flight by enchanting them with wind magic.

Despite her agility, Rubia was struggling. She dodged flawlessly, but without a way to detect her opponent, she couldn’t counterattack effectively.

Lucy sighed. “You have no detection skills, do you?”

With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a handful of jade powder. She blew on her palm, sending the fine dust swirling through the air. The enchanted particles clung to all objects, including the invisible figure among the trees.

“There they are!”

Rubia wasted no time. She dashed forward, dodging the final arrows, and in an instant, closed the gap between them. Her sword sliced cleanly through the air, striking the hidden figure.

The assassin collapsed, paralyzed by the poison.

Rubia knelt and pulled away the mask. The face beneath was that of a dark elf—blue-skinned, sharp-eared, with yellow hair. Her eyes narrowed as she muttered, “They’re from the northern forces.”

Lucy tilted her head. Two things confused her: the assassin’s race and the fact that the northern forces had orchestrated this assassination attempt.

‘A nation that lost the war is trying to kill the princess of the victorious country? Are they not afraid of retaliation?’

Lucy crouched beside the assassin, her crimson eyes gleaming. “Who sent you?”

The dark elf remained silent. Torture would typically be the next step, but Lucy had no need for such crude methods. Her illusion magic was more effective.

“Look into my eyes.”

Her red irises glowed, activating Hypnosis. An assassin might have some resistance to mind control, but Lucy’s skill level was far too high for that.

The dark elf’s expression slackened. “Our ruler… ordered us…”

Just as Rubia suspected, the northern forces were behind it.

Having extracted all the necessary information, Lucy ordered the guards to send the assassin to Helatos’ underground prison.

“Rubia.”

“Yes, Princess?”

“What happens to him now?”

“Attempted assassination of a royal is a high crime. He will experience every form of suffering imaginable before his execution.”

Rubia said it with a cheerful expression, making the contrast between her words and her demeanor unsettling. Lucy sighed.

Assassins knew the risks when they accepted their missions. There was no room for mercy.

Once everything was settled, Lucy and Rubia returned to the tent, where the nobles had gathered after their hunting expedition. They compared their kills, boasting about their trophies.

The moment Lucy entered, their attention shifted.

One by one, they approached her, offering the game they had caught.

Lucy frowned. If these were living creatures, she might have been interested. But she had no desire to collect lifeless beasts.

With a wave of her hand, she dismissed them and entered the main tent.

Inside, several high-ranking nobles awaited—figures of great influence, including the treasurer, the ruling party leader, and the successor prime minister. To Lucy, they all seemed the same: men grasping for power.

Satan soon arrived, looking slightly disheveled, as though he had just returned from outside. Dragos, his ever-loyal attendant, wordlessly poured him a glass of wine.

Satan took a sip and glanced at Lucy. “Daughter, did anything happen while I was gone?”

“Nothing significant.”

“Good. We’re having a morning feast with the nobles soon, so get ready.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow. “A feast?”

“Yes, and I heard they have a request regarding your marriage.”

Lucy blinked. “Marriage proposal!?”

She had expected such discussions eventually—after all, she was a princess. But so soon?

She was still quite young. The idea of marriage was laughable.

“Don’t take it too seriously,” Satan reassured her. “It’s just for show. If you don’t like it, you can break it off later.”

Lucy sighed and followed him to the central tent. Inside, a large round table had been set up. The high-ranking nobles sat in their designated positions, all eyes on Lucy the moment she entered.

“The princess is even more radiant up close.”

“I’ve heard stories of her remarkable talent at Edem Academy.”

“As expected, she is a true royal.”

Their flattery was transparent.

It was obvious what they wanted—an engagement between Lucy and one of their sons. Even if it was just symbolic, the status of being her fiancé would bring immense power.

Lucy forced a smile. The very thought of marriage unsettled her. But suddenly, an idea struck her.

She looked around the table and spoke clearly. “Regarding the marriage proposals, I have one condition.”

The nobles immediately fell silent, their expressions tense. Their futures rested on her words.

“My fiancé must be stronger than me.”

The entire room froze.

Everyone knew that Lucy was no ordinary princess. The rumors of her defeating northern assassins had spread widely. Her condition was, in reality, an impossible hurdle.

One noble hesitantly raised a hand. “How… how do we prove our strength surpasses yours?”

Lucy smirked. “Simple. Defeat me in a duel.”

A collective gasp filled the room.

Sparring against the princess? Even in a controlled match, who would dare risk harming the heir to the throne? The consequences of injuring her—even accidentally—could destroy entire noble families.

The nobles exchanged anxious glances.

“Princess… please reconsider.”

“Indeed. Even if it is just a duel, we would never be so disrespectful.”

“Please, find another way…”

But Lucy had already made up her mind.

Satan, however, burst into laughter. “Hah! As expected of my daughter! Women admire strength, and you demand the best. I support your decision!”

No one dared argue further. With grim expressions, the nobles had no choice but to accept Lucy’s impossible condition.