The Assassin Maid

Chapter 177 - The Assassin Maid

"My son!" my mother exclaimed, leaping towards me and pulling me into a tight hug.

She immediately began showering my face with affectionate kisses.

"Mom… that's enough," I tried to say, uncomfortable with so much attention.

"It's never enough," she replied, planting one last firm kiss on my cheek before finally letting go of me.

Next, she wrapped my cousin, Chloe, in an equally warm embrace.

"I've missed you both so much," she said, visibly emotional.

My mother then crouched down to greet Cylla, who was in her gray cat form.

"I've missed you too," she said, stroking Cylla's head, which earned a contented purr from her.

"It's only been a few days, Auntie," Chloe laughed at the exaggerated reaction.

"For me, it felt like an eternity," my mother responded, her tone full of affection.

Suddenly, she glanced behind us, her face lighting up.

"Kinue?"

"I came too, Auntie…" Kinue replied shyly.

My mother hurried over to hug the fox girl with just as much enthusiasm.

"You've grown so much these past few years. Have you been eating well? You've got the body of a woman now," my mother teased, causing Kinue to blush deeply.

"I'm seventeen now... that's why," Kinue mumbled, slightly embarrassed.

"I'll ask Martha to prepare something for us," my mother said, heading towards the kitchen. "So, how have things been at the academy?"

We walked into the house and began telling my mother about our daily life at the academy. Martha greeted us with a warm smile, and Kinue was especially happy to reunite with her former teacher. The two quickly dove into a conversation about battle training, discussing whether Kinue had kept up with her practice.

My mother looked genuinely proud as we recounted the wonders of the academy and everything we had learned. She never had the chance to attend a traditional academy; from what I knew, she learned magic on her own and later enlisted in the Evenhart military, where she gained her military training.

As the conversation drifted into topics full of feminine chatter I didn't quite understand, I quietly excused myself.

"Martha?" I called out as I headed toward the kitchen.

"Young master, do you need something?" Martha asked, always attentive.

"I need to talk to you about something private," I said, my tone turning more serious.

Martha raised an eyebrow at me.

"Is this about advice on how to talk to girls?" she teased, smirking.

"No… it's about our work. There's a little rat we need to take care of."

Without hesitation, Martha grabbed a long knife from the counter, her expression instantly becoming serious.

"Tell me everything," she said, ready for action.

Chloe Evenhart:

Kinue had gone upstairs with Cylla to find a room, and I took the opportunity, while Nate wasn't around, to have a conversation with Aunt Katie. I'd been wanting to ask for her help for a long time, but I could never gather the courage.

"Aunt…" I began hesitantly.

She was talking to me about things in the duchy, mentioning that my mother had left a few days ago to handle some important matters, probably related to Nate. My mom once told me that his situation was complicated because he was an elf.

"Aunt Katie, I need your help," I finally said, summoning every ounce of courage I had.

My aunt frowned slightly, curious.

"Is it something about the academy? I can help with what I know, but I'm not too familiar with other races," she replied, trying to guess.

"No… it's not about classes," I said, feeling my face heat up. "I need help… with Nathan."

She looked at me with a teasing smile.

"Oh?" she nudged me playfully. "What kind of help?"

I tried to brush it off, but ended up laughing at her playful tone.

"You know… about my feelings?"

"And who doesn't?" she laughed.

"Is it really okay with you that I like him?" I asked nervously.

Aunt Katie glanced around, making sure we were alone.

"You already know what your mother and I did years ago, so you already know my answer. That decision was made when you were just five years old."

"But it's different… you did that to protect us. I want to know, if that situation hadn't happened, would you still let me… be with him?"

"No."

"WHAT?!" I asked, shocked. My heart pounded in my chest when I heard her answer.

She laughed, pinching my cheek.

"I would never let my son be with anyone," she said, smiling.

I looked down, not knowing what to say.

"But," she continued, "I'll make an exception for you. I know you'll take good care of him, and I need more eyes to watch over that boy." She winked at me.

I tried to hold back my smile, but I couldn't. Happiness filled me at hearing those words. A part of me had felt guilty because of the arranged engagement, but now, I felt relieved.

"Aunt Katie… thank you," I said, giving her a tight hug.

She returned the hug, kissing the top of my head.

"So, what kind of help do you need with him?" she asked, curious.

I had almost forgotten, I was so nervous, hehe.

I glanced towards the kitchen, making sure Nate wasn't around.

"How do I make him realize I like him?"

"Everyone realizes you like him," she answered bluntly.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

Did she have to be that direct… this is so embarrassing… I'm dying of shame.

"You-you know what I mean… how do I get him to notice me? I've tried everything."

She placed her hand on my shoulder, her expression softening.

"I can help you, but there's something you need to understand first," she said.

"What?" I asked.

Aunt Katie glanced around again, making sure we were alone, and leaned in closer.

"Your mother and I considered telling him about the engagement, but we weren't sure how he would react to you."

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Would you prefer we tell him about the engagement before you confess? That was the dilemma we faced. The moment we knew you had feelings for him, we couldn't tell him."

"But why couldn't you tell him about the engagement? I still don't understand."

Aunt Katie paused for a moment, thinking.

"Chloe, if we told Nathan, we'd be overriding your feelings. You need to tell him how you feel without him knowing about the engagement. It will be much more meaningful if he responds to your true feelings without that pressure."

I understood what she meant. I didn't want Nate to respond to me just because of the engagement. I wanted him to respond based on what he truly felt.

"I think I get it, but what do you think I should do? How do I even approach something like this? I've tried expressing my feelings a little, but it seems like he's always running away."

Aunt Katie leaned in closer.

"Then don't let him run away. Corner Nathan in a way he can't escape. It's the only way to catch a runner."

I nodded in agreement, but as I realized what I'd have to do, my nerves started to kick in.

It's the only way! I need to make that silly boy give me an answer!