The First Misstep on Her Plan

"WHAT?!" Aster jolted. "What are you talking about? Guard medal subordinate should be a lifetime secret! No one, not even your spouse should know about this!"

Jain knew and understand that. In fact, if it wasn't because of the situation right now, he wouldn't even suggest a ridiculous request. But when he was watching and guarding the palace, he was ambushed and subsequently directed to a location far from Young Lord's room. When he was attacked by two assassins, he called his disciples, yet they were also ambushed by unknown forces.

He watched around to check the shadow guards around the palace, but they were nowhere to be seen. Which was strange, because they were supposed to guard the palace nonstop.

A strange thought appeared in his mind, but he tried to brush it off and fought the two assassins by himself. As he got overwhelmed, a reinforcement appeared, a tall man with mask appeared beside him and helped him. Jain didn't know who this person was and his eyesight was already blurry because he was bleeding too much. When the enemy assassins ran away, Jain rushed to Young Lord's room because there was a bad feeling lurking in his heart.

That sight hadn't leave Jain's memory even a bit. The sight of his master getting ravaged and touched indecently by Crown Prince, and almost got his purity stolen. It was something that came out of his nightmare.

He protected his Young Lord and get ready to fight in his last stand because there was no way he could fight Golden-Eyed Crown Prince, because in that state, the golden blood will have all his capability enhanced, including strength and intelligence.

'And, that person…' Jain recalled the next day after he was treated by Young Lord. The same person who helped him almost killed him, he was lucky because his instinct kicked in and he dodged the knife. That person chased him around even though he already used his stealth technique, but when he went straight to Young Lord's room, that person stopped and disappeared.

'He… is afraid with Young Lord?' Jain was in doubt.

'Why would he target me anyway? If that person wanted to target someone, it should be Young Lord, not me.'

Jain connected his strange thought before with this new fact and there was a wild guess that almost made him unsure whether it was possible or not, 'The person who targeted me is afraid that Young Lord would find out about it. That person is someone who is close to Young Lord and inside this palace.'

It would require someone with supreme power to let this assassin chased him in this heavily guarded palace with shadow guards everywhere, in fact, that person must have control over these guards. The only person who fit these criteria was… Grand Duchess Camille.

It was ridiculous but Jain almost laughed at this stupid idea, why would Grand Duchess harm her precious son? But the more he tried to ignore it, it made him even more anxious.

Thus, he came up with the idea of telling Grand Duchess about his identity. But it was impossible to tell his real worries to Young Lord. Jain looked up to his master and said, "Young Lord, since I am your guard medal subordinate, I believe we should seek protection from Grand Duchess. Since she is your mother and held political power in Grand Duchy, she would definitely protect us from harm," Jain persuaded.

"But… it's a secret…" Aster was hesitant. His mother wouldn't hurt him, but this was supposed to be a lifetime secret. Something that should never be told because you didn't know the future.

"Young Lord, please trust this subordinate. This is the best way to prevent another accident similar to… that day," Jain persuaded more.

Aster hummed in deep thought, what Jain said was reasonable. Because his mother really has power in the Grand Duchy. Aster glanced at Jain's eyes who looked certain with what he suggested and finally sighed, "Fine, let's go tell my mother. This is the perfect time to tell it anyway, since we are leaving tomorrow morning."

***

Grand Duchess was sitting leisurely and was seemingly joyous when he discovered the news about his son stomping that slave. It was nine in the morning and she heard the guard outside reported, "Milady, Young Lord is visiting!"

Grand Duchess raised her brows, her mood had gotten even better, "Let him in!" she said.

Aster entered the room with the sight of his mother smiling amiably to him. He approached his mother with Jain silently tailing him. Grand Duchess noticed immediately, but decided to stay calm.

"My! isn't this a pleasant surprise? What do you want? Tell mom!" Grand Duchess asked enthusiastically.

"Mom, this might be abrupt, but I want to tell you something," Aster glanced at his subordinate and nodded, "I want to tell you about my secret."

Grand Duchess was surprised, "Secret?"

"Yes," Aster replied, "I want you to know that I own a guard medal subordinate."

"WHAT?!" Grand Duchess stood from her chair and her chair was knocked back. She glared at this butler named Jain, trying to guess if it was a trap, or whether this person finally noticed about what she did that night.

Grand Duchess tried to calm down and kept her smile, "My bad, mom was surprised that my son has a big secret. A guard medal subordinate? That is amazing! But you should keep it a secret, right?"

"Naturally, but for this one, I want you to know," Aster said. Grand Duchess gulped, she finally understood that this was a trap set to lock her in this position.

Aster smiled, "This is my guard medal subordinate, Jain Tellah. He is an assassin that works as my butler in meantime, but he is indeed a trained assassin. He is also dedicated to me."

Jain smiled, he fished out his guard medal and slowly put it on the table, in front of Grand Duchess.

Grand Duchess had the urge to just destroy that gold guard medal, so his son wouldn't dare to hide something from her. But he revealed it himself, even bravely showed his medal, it was out of her prediction.

"I—I see, well, what does my son request for this information?"

"Well, I don't ask much, mom. But please give me protection, because I was targeted few days ago and Jain was also heavily wounded."

"Targeted?!" Grand Duchess was shocked, "Who targeted you, my son? How could he bypass the tight security here!"

Aster shook his head, "The detail wasn't important, mom. But at least I'm safe for now… so please, protect me."

Jain bowed his head and added, "Dares this humble servant request, but this servant begs Her Highness Grand Duchess to ensure Young Lord and this servant's wellbeing, because this servant is still a human, this humble servant might get overwhelmed sometimes."

Jain carefully inspected Grand Duchess' expression. This woman was extremely skilled that her guise was almost perfect. But maybe because she was facing her own son, there was a crack which ensured Jain, that Grand Duchess was the one who set everything up.

The reason why she did it wasn't important for him, but at least he knew that he should be guarded against this woman. He should also guard Young Lord, in case his mother wanted to harm him.

Grand Duchess wanted to refute, but there was no way she could refute and refuse this request. Because her son might get suspicious, she gritted her teeth silently, then smiled gently, "Of course, I would protect you and your subordinate. You are my only son!"

"Thank you, mom. I know you will keep your promise," Aster smiled. He stood from the chair and hugged his mother. He knew it felt childish, but knowing someone was there to always protect and help you was the most reassuring thing that could calm his heart.

Grand Duchess softened and smiled. She hugged her son and patted Aster's head gently, "You are such a big baby, my dear son."

Jain was observing Grand Duchess since the beginning and almost gasped when he saw Grand Duchess' expression when Young Lord hugged her. Her eyes turned gentle and her expression was that of a mother who loved her son deeply. It was the perfect picture of genuine love.

'Ridiculous, how could she harm and torture her only son… whom she loved dearly?'