At that moment, I was reminded once again that the major plot points of this novel can be manipulated, but it cannot be changed entirely.

For instance, an extra like me can escape death through my own efforts, but someone would have to die on my behalf. That's how Leila got killed.

"Isabelle," Grand Duke Averill must have noticed my tensed disposition. "Is something the matter?"

I assume it's the same this time. That veiled man with a scar on his face must be here to harm the heroine. The question is, who hired him to do so?

"Yes." I sighed. "We have an emergency."

I ran an eye over the place. It's too crowded at the moment due to the ongoing festival. At this rate, it would be difficult to spot Ingrid or Prince Dion.

"Listen, Your Grace. We have to split up." I tightly held onto both of his hands. "Do you trust me?"

"I like you." Alistair remarked earnestly. "And my affection comes with trust, Isabelle. So yes, I do."

"Good." His words soothed me. "Lady Marchetti must be somewhere nearby. Find her and stick with the lady. I want you to ensure her safety."

"You speak as if there's imminent danger coming this way." His eyes narrowed into slits. "Do I have any reason to be worried about you, Isabelle?"

"No." I gave him a reassuring smile. "Because I'm not a damsel in distress and I can protect myself."

The grand duke bit his lower lip. His dander seemed down. "I wish you'd rely on me more."

"I am relying on you." I cupped both of his cheeks and fiddled our noses together. "That is why I am asking you to do this for me. I need your help."

Grand Duke Averill caressed my hands placed on his cheeks. "I understand. I shall do as you say."

It was comforting to know that there's someone who trusts me so much he's willing to do as I say, no questions asked. Having him by my side gives me courage, as if I have nothing to be afraid of.

As planned, the two of us split up. Alistair went ahead and looked for Ingrid, while I searched for Crown Prince Dion. They should be here nearby.

I can't let the heroine get hurt. I must protect her.

We have been quiet these past few weeks, but if Ingrid gets so much as a little scratch, it might stir some rumors and the blame might fall on my lady.

That is, Lady Camellia, who's trying her best not to put herself in a bad light. Even a minor move on her side could instantly paint her as the villainess.

"Found him." I whispered upon seeing the male lead from a distance, who seemed to be waiting for someone.

Even though he was dressed modestly in a white shirt and black trousers, his glowing red eyes failed to conceal his regal appearance.

I charily approached his spot.

"Your Highness," I called with a hint of urgency.

"Hm?" The crown prince glanced over me. His brows furrowed. "A maid from the palace."

I bowed politely to him. "Yes, I am."

"What is it?" Prince Dion asked impatiently. "Get on with your business and just pretend you did not see me. I am currently incognito, servant."

I dared to move closer to his ear then spoke in hushes. "You're being followed, Your Highness."

His eyes twitched. "What?"

"I know that you're supposed to meet with Lady Marchetti, but it's not safe to be here. I have asked Grand Duke Averill to find her and keep her safe."

Before he could even answer, I suddenly felt an intense bloodlust at the back of my head. At that point, I was convinced that the assassin's here.

I looked around in panic, trying to pinpoint his location. However, by the time I caught sight of the scarred and veiled man furtively positioned on the second floor of a brothel, it was far too late.

He had already fired an arrow, and it hit me right on the shoulder. I couldn't even react on time.

I screamed on top of my lungs. "Bloody hell!"

"Servant!" The crown prince exclaimed then held my forearm to stop me from stumbling down.

Despite the excruciating pain, I kept my eyes wide open so I won't lose sight of the assassin. As soon as he fired the shot, the man made a run for it.

"Oh no, you don't." I said through gritted teeth then pulled the arrow out of my shoulder.

I subconsciously brushed the crown prince aside then chased after the culprit. I heard Prince Dion shouting, but I paid no heed to him and focused on the man tearing down the streets and throng.

Blood trickled from my shoulder with every step I took. My vision began to be bleary, so I smacked my wound to feel the pain and stay awake.

This is no time to pass out, Isabelle!

I picked up a stone, one of a size of my fist, along the way. He's a man. He has more stamina than me. At this rate, I'll get exhausted before him.

I smirked. "As if I'd let you go, fucker."

When the assassin took a turn into a dark and desolate alley, he lost his chance to escape.

I mustered all my strength and threw the stone, which hurtled towards his direction and hit him right on the head. He blacked out and slumped on the ground.

"Asshole," I cursed, out of breath. Now that I had caught him, what do I do? "Of course, I kill him."

I answered my own query and took out a knife.

I don't know who ordered him to do it, but if he makes a confession that Lady Camellia did, then it'd be the end for the lady and she'd be framed.

At this point, it doesn't even matter who paid him to do it. I need to silence him for my lady's sake.

"Sorry, but that's just the way of the world. Kill or be killed, right?" I blurted out, as if trying to justify my decision. "Besides, this fucker attacked first."

I knew exactly what I have to do.

But my hands were trembling so much that I couldn't even aim and hold the knife properly.

"For heaven's sake, Isabelle..." My eyes watered with tears of frustration. "If you don't kill him now, he's gonna cause problems in the future."

Just when I was about to stab him on the chest, a familiar voice thundered behind me. "Isabelle!"

It was Grand Duke Averill.

He glanced over the unconscious man then shifted his gaze to me, who gripped the knife as if my life depended on it. He caught me trying to kill him.

In an instant, his face twitched in realisation, like Alistair already knew what I was about to do.

His jaw clenched. "Isabelle,"

"What? Are you disappointed, Your Grace?" My lips quivered. "You must be turned off... but you'd be surprised by all the things I can do to survive."

Lady Camellia is my lifeline. If she goes down to hell, I'll be dragged down with her. I need to protect her. She's the master I chose to serve.

My heart pounded when Alistair unsheathed his sword and walked towards me with a conflicted face. Is he gonna arrest me for attempted murder?

When he raised his sword in front of me, I closed my eyes out of fear. I thought he would strike me, but I was mistaken. When I opened my lids, the grand duke's sword was already covered in blood.

"The emperor has granted me the authority to execute any individual under two conditions."

Alistair swung his sword to rid of the blood.

"One, that they threaten the safety of the empire. Two, that society will be better off without them." His face darkened. "This man put Prince Dion's life in danger and injured a maid from the palace."

The assassin was already decapitated. His head had rolled a few inches away from his body.

"I deemed him to be dangerous, thus I killed him." Alistair dropped his sword then went closer to me, his eyes filled with concern. "You are wounded."

"Why aren't you arresting me, Your Grace?"

"Because you did not commit any sort of crime."

My voice cracked. "I was about to kill him!"

"And I do not give a damn, Isabelle!" he shouted.

For the first time, Alistair was seething with rage.

"You asked me before if I trust you, and I said that I do because my trust comes with affection." His eyes remained ablaze. "Unfortunately, I failed to mention that my love also comes with madness! When it comes to you, my morals become history, something from the past I'm willing to abandon!"

Tears streamed down on my cheeks.

"I would kill for you, Isabelle." Alistair ripped my sleeve and exposed the wound on my shoulder. His jaw clenched. "I especially have no problem killing a bastard who dared to do this to you."

This time, I burst into uncontrollable sobs.

To be honest, I didn't have the courage to kill that man with my own hands. As an extra whose life was already robbed once, it didn't feel right.

But I was truly desperate to survive.

"There is no need for you to dirty your hands." Grand Duke Averill lovingly embraced me in his arms. "Whoever it is, I shall kill them for you."

At that moment, a part of me was regretful.

Alistair Kirsten de Averill was supposed to be a man with a strong sense of justice. To think that he'd utter such cruel words just for my sake.

If we hadn't met, he would still be the upright man who prides himself as the shield of the empire. Am I the one who corrupted all of his heart and soul?

But then, I realised... I would've done the same.

I would kill anyone for him, too.

---

The first arc is ending soon. Many bloodshed and violence ahead. You have been warned, guys.

Anyway, thank you for reading this story!

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san