A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night Chapter 21: Duchess Leona’s new proposition

As the sparring session ended, everyone else dispersed from the room while Serestia was carried away to the healer. The two nobles remained alongside Cain. Xarx turned to Kael. "By the way, Big Bro, I forgot to tell you sothing. I have a ssage from my mother."

"What is it?" Kael asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The Ball event is going to be tomorrow night," Xarx replied, leaning casually against a pillar. "You'll need to dance with the princess. It's a tradition, after all."

"Yeah, I'm aware of it." Kael groaned inwardly, already anxious about the event. Commoners or the soldiers aren't aware that ball events are where the politics of a Queendom happens the most. Of course, while it is a good source of information for an assassin like Kael, the problem is that not everything he hears is true. In fact, a large amount of such information is completely based on speculation. A huge amount of gossip and rumors would also start from this very event. Kael, who doesn't like complications, naturally hates such events but he cannot do anything this ti to even try to skip it using an excuse as he is an esteed guest from the imperial city.

After a while, Kael and Amanda were seen in their royal guest chamber, practicing for the Ball event. Although Kael was familiar with the formalities of noble dances from past occasions, his steps were slightly out of sync with Amanda's fluid movents. The princess, calm and composed, took the lead while Kael focused on matching her rhythm. "Step and turn, step and bow, glide to the left, now step back slow. Forward now, and turn once more, pause, and rise—graceful to the floor. Repeat."

As they danced, their eyes t several tis, but Amanda's gaze held an unsettling mix of pity and reluctance. Kael, however, maintained his deanor, choosing not to confront her emotions. Instead, he played the part of an oblivious husband, keeping the mood light and formal.

The soldiers and the servants either quietly stood in the corner of the living room or returned to their rooms as if they didn't exist. The spectral wolf continues to nap, ignoring their weird circus moves.

But then, their practice was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the Duchess of Aquareld, a fellow royal guest who sought to pay her respects to the princess.

Her perfu blew through the chamber, subtly altering the expressions of every man who caught its scent. For most, it induced a trance-like infatuation, making them unable to look away from her.

Kael, however, remained unaffected, his deanor unchanged. The Duchess imdiately noticed this anomaly.

"Leona of Aquareld House greets the envoy." "Greetings, Duchess Leona."

"Lord Moonstone." "A pleasure to et you, Duchess."

After exchanging formal greetings, the Duchess unexpectedly turned to Kael with a bold question:

"Do you love soone?"

"Pardon?" Kael blinked in surprise, his gaze shifting briefly to Amanda, who also appeared taken aback.

Before he could answer, the Duchess elaborated, her lips turning into a knowing smile. "Today, I wore a special perfu known as Cupid Essence. It only affects the opposite gender, and whoever slls it would beco infatuated with as long as I was there. Only two types of n can resist its effect: those with cultivation higher than the Elite realm (Tier-5) or n truly in love with soone."

Kael's response was steady and asured. "Well, I'm married, Duchess. I love my wives."

The Duchess tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. "Even a mother cannot love all her children equally, let alone a husband with multiple wives—especially in political marriages. Surely, you have a favorite among them. Tell , who is it?"

Amanda's brows furrowed, and she was about to interject when Kael's voice cut sharply through the room.

"My personal life is none of your concern, Duchess," he said coldly. His piercing gaze left no room for argunt.

All the spectators in the room were taken aback by his reaction. Who was that lady? It is the Duchess of Slaughter. Even powerful adventurers cower in fear in her presence. And what is he? A guy who could be killed by even the weakest wild boar.

For a mont, he gave the image of a lamb that was facing a tigress.

"If you excuse , I need to freshen up and et Xarx as we planned," Kael excused himself, bowing politely to the Duchess and giving a nod before leaving to his room, shutting it.

Once Kael was gone, the Duchess turned to Amanda with a sly smile. "It's either the Third Princess or the Fourth Princess, isn't it?" she mused, her tone playful yet pointed.

Amanda's expression darkened. "That's enough, Leona. You've overstepped."

The air between them grew tense as Amanda's displeasure was evident. The Duchess, unbothered by the princess's stern tone, simply chuckled, her curiosity about Kael seemingly satisfied.

"Alright. Let's talk in private."

The Duchess of Aquareld, having subtly tested Kael earlier, now revealed the true purpose of her visit as she and Amanda entered the princess's room. After settling in, the Duchess's tone turned serious, and she leaned forward slightly. "Ok, I have sothing to tell you."

Amanda also turned serious, seeing Leona's sudden change of behavior. "What is it?"

"Things beca complicated as Mark Welsh removed his curse and achieved a breakthrough. There are significant losses from our side. So, I need K's help more than necessary." She said, her tone turning deeper and deeper as she continued to talk while her fists clenched tightly, controlling her anger.

Amanda furrowed her brows. "I believe I have already sent you the reply. I passed the ssage to my mother as you requested, but the Queen firmly refused to co into your private matters, and she denied any involvent with K. In return, she lashed out at instead."

Leona nodded, her expression unchanging. "I know. But this ti, I'm here with another proposition that will change her mind and also yours. Believe . As long as you and Kael have not consummated your marriage, you can force the Queen to revoke your marriage too."

Amanda's expression darkened, her posture stiffening as she asked coldly, "Why would my mother even consider such a thing?"

The Duchess's lips curved into a sly smile as she answered, "I received a piece of news that there's an item in the upcoming auction—a priceless treasure created by Witch herself that guarantees a breaking through to the Supre realm. You know how much the Queen covets such a breakthrough. If you offer that item in exchange, you can secure your freedom from this... loveless arrangent. And I would help you in securing this ti, along with the other one."

Amanda's eyes widened at the shocking suggestion, her breath catching. "Why would you help with sothing like this?"

The Duchess's smile turned cryptic as she explained, "I told you before, right? All I want is the death of one man. Present it to the Queen in exchange for your freedom and ensure a deal with her secret hound."

Amanda's brows furrowed as she considered the implications.