“Myrin!”

  I have heard that name for 14 years. And I just hate hearing it more every single day. I understand that I needed a fake identity, but Myrin? Couldn't they give me a better name?

  “What is it?”

  I turn to face the mage talking to me.

  “Our freezer’s mana stones are depleted. I’m going to fetch more. Could you make sure that it stays cold until I get back?”

  “Sure.”

  I walk next to the freezer and let my ice magic into it. Sometimes acting like a well-behaved dog grinds my nerves. But it’s important to blend in and have good connections with people. I can't raise suspicion.

  Being an assassin and a spy right under Master Lonefre's nose is enough of a risk. Everybody called me crazy for wanting to come here. I don't deny that.

  I was born and raised in Hilver. Hilver’s Mage Tower is nothing compared to this one. And no one can deny the fact that Master Lonefre is superior when it comes to magic. So I came here only to learn. I wanted knowledge and skills.

  I quickly formed connections with the right people. There was more than enough work here for an assassin. And the money is good. Of course, my country is also eager to have any inside information about Barham. So after I graduated, I decided to stay. For the money.

  But I have to admit that it's starting to get tiring to live a double life. Not that I would ever tell the truth. But maybe I should just leave, go back to Hilver or something.

  Enred isn’t even here anymore. I can honestly say that I like the guy. It’s a shame he needed to go live in Hilver to deal with his family's business. I guess that's the noble way of life. Sons are required to follow in their fathers’ footsteps. Daughters are required to be sold to the highest bidder. When daughters are born, parents already start pnning which old rich geezer they are going to be married to.

  Of course, there are always exceptions, like Elena. Her parents have never tried to push her into a marriage.

  When I finish work, I go downstairs. I’m feeling more annoyed than usual, not sure why. I spot the familiar-looking ticket on the notice board. I walk closer. It’s one of the tickets Ayas gave to Elena. The serial number is the same. I don't know why I even checked the serial number when Elena fpped those around like some kid who got their first allowance.

  Maybe I’m just a sucker for details.

  I kind of hoped she would ask someone from the art department to go with her, since that girl seriously needs a boyfriend. Maybe then she would finally stop fpping around me like the annoying butterfly she is.

  It’s so weird. No matter what I say or do, she just keeps coming back to flutter around me. I know she thinks that no one knows about her little crush on me. And she is partly right. I don't think anyone else here, but me, knows.

  For me, it’s impossible to miss her annoying eyes gleaming at me. It’s like she imbued some sparkles into her eyes or something.

  She really has some horrible taste in men. I can't understand a single reason why she would like me. She doesn’t even know anything about me. All these years I have known her, I really haven’t given much about myself to her. Does she have some weird kink for men who are cold and blunt toward her?

  I’m just gd she has kept her feelings to herself. The st thing I want from her is a confession. I’ve done my best to send the message that I’m definitely not interested. But she is a persistent little fucker.

  The worst part is when Enred moved away. He asked me to look after his sister. I said no. But he kept insisting. So I yielded. Only because I like the guy, I couldn't say no to him. So here I am, bound to be some kind of bodyguard to an annoying butterfly.

  I do understand why Enred is worried. Elena is small and fragile, and incredibly naive. The world would devour her. I have lost count of how many times I have rescued her. Most of the time, she doesn’t even know she was in danger in the first pce. It’s like she doesn’t understand that bad people exist.

  I drop my things in my apartment, change my clothes, and head to the Underground. When I reach the portal, I put the mask on. I head straight to the information guild I usually work for. I open the door, and Zed is sitting behind the front desk, lifting his gaze at me.

  “Oh, surprise to see you, K. It must be my lucky day. What brings you here? Did you miss me?”

  “Are there any new jobs? I need something to do.”

  “Unfortunately, no. Unless you changed your mind about joining Duke Callum’s forces?”

  “Never. Even a brainless slime would realize that's just a suicide mission.”

  “Well, there are surprisingly many people joining him. He offers good money. He really wants the Crown Prince dead.”

  “I value my life more than money. It should be obvious that he is impossible to assassinate. If it were possible, it would have been done already. Duke Callum is just a ticking time bomb.”

  “You sound grumpier than usual. You need a drink?”

  That doesn't sound too bad. I sit on the couch.

  “Whiskey, neat.”

  He appears soon before me, handing me the gss.

  “So what’s wrong?”

  “I’m just pissed off.”

  “Why?”

  “Not your business.”

  ‘’Okay, charming. So anything new happening?’’

  ‘’Fuck off.’’

  “Always lovely to talk to you, K.”

  “Feelings not mutual.”

  “Of course it’s not.”

  He goes to sit behind the front desk and continues working. I take my time drinking the whiskey. But it doesn’t make me feel any better. I need something to do.

  “Are you sure you don’t have any work?” I try again.

  “No. There literally isn’t anything but delivering a simple folder to a customer. So nothing for an assassin like you.”

  I get up.

  “Give it to me. I’ll deliver it.”

  “What? Why? You are not an errand boy.”

  “Don’t care. Just give me the fucking folder.”

  “Alright, if you insist. You really are pissed off, aren’t you?”

  I snatch the folder, gnce at the address, and leave. It’s on the other side of the city. Good. It takes more time to get there. I exit the Underground and take the mask off. It takes me about an hour to walk there. I try to walk slowly, so it takes more time. I deliver the folder and end up going to a bar afterward.

  I still have to work tomorrow, so I can’t exactly drink much. Just enough to take the edge off.

  Tomorrow, Elena will have her double date. I looked into that Jerome. Just wanted to make sure he isn’t some scum who would hurt her. Enred really would kill me if I let some man hurt his sister. But he seemed like a decent guy. So I doubt he would harm her. Maybe he even charms her. That’s probably wishful thinking, though.

  Even if Elena’s feelings have always been obvious to me, she hasn’t exactly ever tried to do anything about it. Lucky for me. But for some reason, she is acting weirder tely. And I have a bad feeling about it. Her stupid dress thing really was ridiculous. I don’t know what she thought she would gain from that. I have known her for years. Did she really think that I would suddenly see her differently because of a stupid makeover?

  I thought I really hurt her with my opinion about her new look. Never thought it was possible to even hurt her. Her annoying wide smile never falters, no matter what I say. But she was so silent when we were in the carriage together. She is never silent. She bbbers so much that my ears start to bleed from it.

  I don’t know why she suddenly started acting differently. I just know I don’t like it. Maybe I really should pn my move back home before things get too out of hand.

  I gnce at the clock. 11 PM. I should get back to my apartment and go to sleep.

  I walk again. I pass by her atelier and notice that her lights are still on. It’s te. She should be at the Tower already. She never stays te in the city. Did she get some sudden inspiration after that painter’s exhibit?

  I walk closer to gnce in from the window, and I see her, sleeping on the couch.

  She really is a pain in my ass. Can’t she realize that any passerby could just see a weak woman basically serving herself on a silver pte? The city is full of creeps. I know, since I work with them. I knock on the door, but she doesn’t wake up. I try the handle, and the door is unlocked.

  She is definitely going to get herself killed if she acts like this. Practically just inviting some killer or rapist into her room.

  She doesn’t wake when I enter. I take the key from her purse, turn off the lights, and lift her into my arms. I really don't care about physical contact, but since she is sleeping, it isn't that bad. I exit the room and lock the door. She just keeps sleeping peacefully. I draw a teleportation circle, and soon we are at her door. I open it and pce her on the bed.

  I didn’t think her face could look so peaceful. It feels weird to look at. I guess even butterflies can be less annoying sometimes.

  I exit her room. I guess I could sleep at the Tower too, since I’m already here. My room is next to hers. I have no idea how she managed to get her room here. But I know it wasn’t just a coincidence.

  I take a quick shower and change into more comfortable clothes. I stare at my bed. Should I try to sleep in it? I honestly don’t remember the st time I slept in a bed. It’s an old habit. You’re too vulnerable lying down. But I know the Tower is probably the safest pce in the whole world. So I’m good.

  I lift the sheet and slide in. It feels weird and wrong. It’s too soft and too warm. I still force myself to lie there, trying to sleep. I turn around, trying to find a better position. I turn around once more. And once more.

  No. Can’t do it.

  I get up and go to the darkest corner of my room and sit down, letting my head lean against the wall. I stare at my door, like I’m waiting for someone to barge in. I know no one is coming. But I take my bo staff anyway in my hand. It feels safer to sleep when it’s close by.