CHAPTER 6: ASSASSINS

Leiana didn't say anything to me. Why did she leave the most important part? I AM A DUCHESS? I AM MARRIED? I know he is the father and I am the mother. But I didn't know that we are tied bound by marriage! I thought it is a one-night stand or accident. It isn't unintentional but intentional?

He smiles mischievously. "So, what is your plan now, duchess?"

Duchess huh... I suffered the laboring and everything but I couldn't taste the making, the process? I had experienced the product. Isn't it unfair?

"Why is the long face? You look like you are being tricked."

I was! I sighed. "Nothing."

"Nothing, but you are moping?"

"I am not. I am thinking about what to do now." I excused.

"You are planning to hide Leitz?"

Can I? If I hide him, I am sure he will live a different life than in the novel. He will not be involved in the capital's political power and messy life. About my death in his hand, if we put it that Leiana didn't take good care of him in the past life then, I did a good job now so, I will survive somehow.

But if I do that, the story will be changed. If it changes, can I discover the truth? What if not? Will Leiana appear and haunted me for breaking our deal? I sighed again.

"You sighed twice now. Is something bothering you? You can say it to this old man."

I stare at him. Will you believe me then, that I am not Leiana? I possessed this body and we are living inside the novel? Probably no. You will think I have gone crazy. I sighed again.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

For now, let's follow the path. I don't know anything, maybe something will show up when I just let with the flow. I will face the problem if it has already happened in front of my eyes. After all, Leitz and the duke will meet ten years later. I have a lot of time to relax before I am stressed out about everything.

"My plan, for now, is to live my life here with Leitz. I will problem the problem later on. Anyways, as long as I don't step into the capital city, they will never know about Leitz's existence. It is very impossible that I and Leitz will get lost in the north where the duke's territory is. Or neither bumped each other here. What will he be doing in the countryside?"

He stares at me. "Hmmm... but I am pondering on this. Why did you run away?"

"Why would I know when I lost my memories?" I said bluntly.

"I am trying my luck? Maybe you remember a bit now?"

"You were the leader of the famous information and mercenary guild named Black Hawks. Yet, you didn't have any information about it? I thought you had information about my identity?"

"I get information because people do speak. It wasn't that I had some magic power that can read minds or can see the future and past," he said sarcastically.

"Am I supposed to be happy that I choose the latter than wanting to know about my identity? It seems you will not give me important information anyway."

"Now, you are looking down on this old man huh!"

I shake my head and laugh softly. I stand up.

"I will go home now. It'll be bad if Leitz wakes up and I am nowhere to be found."

"Hmph! Did you leave your son alone in the house, in the middle of the night? What kind of a mother are you?"

I grin. "Oh? Are you saying that the person assigned to us is not that reliable?"

His face turned pale and shocked. It's his man after all.

"H-How did... is it normal for a lady to have sharp senses?"

"Maybe, I'm not normal?" I shrugged.

"Hah! Hahaha!"

Did he go senile?

"My goodness! You are a clever lady."

"I guess that is a compliment. Thanks."

I turn around and walk toward the door.

"Thanks, Sir Herwin," I said sincerely to him before leaving his office.

*****

Weeks have passed and everything is fine. Tonight, while I and Leitz having our dinner a loud thud is heard on the door. We are surprised, but then I walk toward the living room to check. However, Leitz follows me behind and looks at the door that is still close.

"Leitz go hide..." I instructed.

Leitz immediately runs back to the kitchen and hides under the table. I slowly approached the door and grabbed the doorknob. Slowly open the door and suddenly a body drop on the floor inside.

"What the..." I turned around the body and saw a black-masked man. Wait this black dress and black mass. A black hawk embroidery on the clothes and cape means he was one of the hawks. One of the old man's followers is watching us all this time.

I immediately look outside and gaze sharply. I can sense the presence of a few men in the darkness. I pulled the body inside and closed the door. The man groaned and slowly sit up on the floor. He looked at me and pull out his mask.

"Karl?" I muttered in surprise.

"You should run with Leitz," Karl instructed.

"What? Why?"

"There are assassins who are after you."

"Assassins? Why would an assassin be after us?"

"That's we don't know either. It must have a connection when you are about to be kidnap before. Unfortunately, you didn't remember anything so don't have any clue."

Wait, I'm about to be kidnap before? What happened to this body before I possessed it? No, I should resolve first my present situation. I will ask about those things to him afterward.

"How about you?" I asked him worriedly.

"Don't worry about me. I will buy you time so that you can run away farther."

"No. In your state? Look at you... you are deeply wounded. My floor is already covered in blood. Goodness! You are giving me household chores at this time?" I nagged.

Karl looks at me amusedly. "You are more troubled by that?"

"By that, you say? Didn't you how many household chores I need to do? Let alone I am working the whole morning in the tavern. Taking care of Leitz is another story and here you are, messing my floor when I just had finished it cleaning?" I glared at him.

Karl shrinks and gulps. "B-but t-this isn't the right time to think about the floor, Yana. There is no time! You must go now!"

The door fell to the floor. The two of us look at the door and three assassins came in.

"Just three?" I accidentally blurted out.

I can feel Karl gaze at me.

"What are you saying?" he said.

"Ha-ha-ha... I mean you got wounded because of this three?" I look away. "I thought that old man followers are strong. Maybe, I am wrong."

Sorry, Karl. I know you are one of the elite members of the Black Hawks. But I don't know what to say to excuse myself.

He gazes at me sharply. Sharply enough to feel that he wants me to fight with him.

"No, I couldn't leave someone behind for me to live..." I stand up trying to change the topic.

"What are you doing?"

"Saving our ass." I wink at him.

I turn around and face the three assassins. I take a step toward them to distance myself from Karl, wounded

"I'm the one you wanted right? Now come..." raising my hand gesturing for them to come.

One of the assassins launches at me first with a dagger in his hand. I caught the hand of the assassin that about to stab me. I glide away from the knife that is pointed at her and punch his throat. The assassin cough and holds onto his throat taking a step back.

The two assassins launched at me. I'm ready to dodge the attack but an arrow from the outside catches my attention. I'm too late to move and the arrow hit me on my right shoulder. The two assassins continue to attack me, I glance at the knife of the assassin who attack me first.

I picked it up and in a swift move attacked the assassin. I kneel on the floor on one knee and then use my other leg to kick the leg of the two assassins. The two of them fell to the floor. Without hesitation, I jump on top of one of the assassins and slice their throat.

The blood splatter on my face. An arrow is coming toward me again, I immediately half the arrow into two using the knife. More assassins emerged from the darkness outside and charge inside the house. Dang, it! No wonder Karl became like that, it is more than three!

I leap back and throw the knife into the forehead of the assassin charging toward me. The assassin fell to the floor while the others stop in their way, becoming weary of me.

"Mommy!"

I flinch hearing Leitz's voice. I turn my head just to be surprised when I see him out from where he is hiding. He is about to take a step toward me.

"Leitz, go back!" I demanded.

"But mommy you..."

"Mommy is fine. I will come and get you, okay?"

"But..."

I can sense the arrow and immediately run towards Leitz and cover my body. Instead of Leitz, Leiana received the arrow and hit behind her.

"Mommy!" Leitz cried.

Dammit! They aim at him. They know that I will save him no matter what. I need to get Leitz in a safe place.

"Leitz..." I smiled. "Listen to mommy, okay?"

I can sense there is another incoming. I push Leitz away. More arrows pierced my back. I grit my teeth and clenched my hands. I was supposed not to let my son see me suffering or being pathetic.

"Mommy, you are bleeding..." Leitz's tears started to drop one after another. He reaches out his hand and is about to reach me.

I shake my head. "Mommy is..." I caught blood out of my mouth.

I'm surprised since I am doing my best to hold back from the pain. I glance at my son just to see his eyes widen and look terrified.

"M-m-mo... m-mother..." he stuttered looking dazed and horrified.

Dammit! I shouldn't let him see this kind of thing! He is just five years old! This body couldn't withstand this kind of pain.

If I survive here, I need to train this body. The arrows didn't hit my fatal parts but I might die from blood loss. My sight is getting blurry and I'm getting dizzy. This is not good!

"Mommy is protecting you... so please ...g...go...h...hi...de..." I fell unconscious to the floor.

[ KARL POV ]

I am already bewildered just to witness that a lady is so well versed in fighting. Not only does she know how to wield a dagger but she knows her ways. She is quick and sharp.

Leitz's eyes widen when Leiana fell to the floor. "M...mo...my?"

Leitz stared blankly at his mother lying on the floor with blood. Leitz's eyes glowed with a blank expression and tears. The assassin that Leiana punched in the throat walked towards Leitz. I wanted to move but I could not because of my deep wound.

Leitz sensed his presence and glanced at him. The assassin is about to grab Leitz when he caught the assassin's hand and twisted his wrist. The assassin wanted to shout in pain but his damaged throat prevented him to do it.

Leitz pulled him closer and kicked him in his face. The assassin fell to the floor. Leitz looked outside and saw a part where there was a small sparkle, which was the tip of the arrow. He grabbed the knife from the floor and deflect the arrow.

I don't know where Leitz learned his movements. I am amazed but at the same time feel worried for him. After all, he is still a five-year-old child.

"This situation is ridiculous," I mumbled to myself.

I am worried for the child but seeing things right now. It seems he is the one who is protecting us, adults, who are supposed to be protecting him instead.

Leitz step outside and threw the knife in a certain direction. A loud groan and thud are heard. I really couldn't believe what I am witnessing now. A dreadful mother and a little monster son.

Leitz left the house and walked in a certain direction.

"Huh? Leitz? Don't go out. Who knows how many of them lurking in the darkness!"

He doesn't hear me? No, he is out of control. He stops at a tree and under it was a man hit by the knife on his right shoulder.

"You son of a monster... ahhh!"

Leitz without hesitation pulled out the knife and stabbed him again. He pulled out the knife and stabbed him, which was the only Leitz did repeatedly with a blank face and glowing eyes. Leitz went back to the house and stopped when he saw Leiana lying on the floor.

"Mommy..." tears streamed down from his eyes while still his, eyes glowing.