Pulling off the hood she saw two strikingly green eyes staring at her in fright. Lilly instantly realized that this wasn’t an assassin or a guard. It wasn’t even a warrior or someone brave. The person she had pinned to the ground was a scared young girl.

Retracting her dagger and dispelling [Overlook] Lilly got off the girl and sat down on the grass. She knew this girl, or rather, she’d almost killed her a year ago. It was the princess.

“If I may ask, what is a princess doing out at this hour?” (Lilly)

“Sneaking out.” (Evelyn)

“Not running away?” (Lilly)

“Why would I run away?” (Evelyn)

“You are seriously lucky aren’t you?” (Lilly)

“What do you mean?” (Evelyn)

“The assassin Ghost snuck into your room to kill you only a few minutes ago.” (Lilly)

“What, no, that can’t be, my room is protected by spells and there are guards all over the place!” (Evelyn)

“Saw it with my own eyes.” (Lilly)

“And who are you anyway!?” (Evelyn)

“I’m Shadow.” (Lilly)

“Like, the assassin?” (Evelyn)

“Yes, why?” (Lilly)

“You don’t look like one.” (Evelyn)

“What? But I’m wearing black clothing, covering my face and I have a knife.” (Lilly)

“Isn’t that what any criminal would wear?” (Evelyn)

“And why aren’t you scared!?” (Lilly)

“I think it’s got something to do with how you’re thin, sit like a fine woman, and have this dark manly voice.”

“…” (Lilly)

“What?” (Evelyn)

“Damnit!” (Lilly)

Lilly stood up and started walking away. She wasn’t getting paid to play with the princess so she might as well go home and sleep.

“What? Aren’t you going to kill me?” (Evelyn)

“No, I’m not being paid to.” (Lilly)

“Not that, aren’t you going to finish what you couldn’t do a year ago?” (Evelyn)

Evelyn got up and followed Lilly.

“That fuck up was on purpose.” (Lilly)

“You’re a terrible assassin.” (Evelyn)

“No, I’m the best, I said I spared your life.” (Lilly)

“That’s why you’re bad at it.” (Evelyn)

“I chose not to kill you, get it through your head.” (Lilly)

“You’re just a sad excuse of an assassin. I bet even if I held your hand to my throat, you couldn’t squeeze.” (Evelyn)

“I chose not to kill kids, I chose not to torture people or kill innocents, and I chose not to be a cruel piece of shit!!!” (Lilly)

Lilly had gotten angry and yelled, the girl really knew what buttons to push. They just stood there in silence for several minutes before Evelyn spoke.

“Why are you an assassin?”

“Reasons.” (Lilly)

Reasons she didn’t want to talk about. And the girl had a point, she didn’t need to be an assassin. She had accomplished her goals, had more than enough money and a normal job that paid well. But she kept killing people. It was what she’d always done. What she’d been trained to do.

Lilly continued walking, she’d had enough off this little princess prying into her personal matters. Evelyn kept following her in silence.

When they got to the wall Lilly cast [Spiders Thread] again, waiting for the guard to walk by.

“Wait!” (Evelyn)

“What?” (Lilly)

“Can you help me over the wall?” (Lilly)

“Why would I do that?” (Lilly)

“Please, I’m trying to sneak out but I didn’t really plan it that well.” (Evelyn)

“Why are you even trying to sneak out in the first place?” (Lilly)

“I’ll tell you later if you help me!” (Evelyn)

“Fine… but I’ll have to cast a spell on you.” (Lilly)

“Ok, sure.” (Evelyn)

She quickly cast [Overlook] on Evelyn and herself and told her to climb up the wall. Once she was up, Lilly followed and dragged the rope up and over the other side. Evelyn climbed down while Lilly simply jumped.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“How do you not hurt yourself jumping like that?” (Evelyn)

“Training, a lot of it. And enchanted boots.” (Lilly)

“Can you teach me?” (Evelyn)

“No.” (Lilly)

Lilly undid [Overlook] on both of them and started walking home. After a few minutes she turned around and glared at Evelyn.

“Why are you following me?” (Lilly)

“Cause you’re interesting…” (Evelyn)

“I’m not interesting, I’m an assassin. Stop following me.” (Lilly)

She turned around and continued walking. Evelyn still following.

“Stop following me.” (Lilly)

“I’m not following you, we’re simply going the same way.” (Evelyn)

“And where are you going?” (Lilly)

“Wherever you’re going!” (Evelyn)

“That’s exactly what following someone is!” (Lilly)

“No no no, I’m just going to the same place as you.” (Evelyn)

“…”

“Fine, continue on your way then, I’ll go somewhere else.” (Lilly)

“Ok ok, I’m following you, but please, can’t I hang out with you for a bit?” (Evelyn)

“Why, why would you want to hang out with an assassin? And don’t give me some crap about me being interesting. Answer me honestly.” (Lilly)

“Ok… it’s because I don’t have any friends. I’m not allowed outside the castle and there’s nothing fun to do or anyone to talk to. My parents are overprotective as fuck and I just wanna have fun! I thought trying to sneak out would at least be interesting even if I failed. And maybe my parents would take a hint and let me outside. I just want someone to talk to! That’s why! So please, can I?” (Evelyn)

”Alright fine, but I’m going to a bar so keep the hood on.”

Evelyn took off the hood and her cloak and threw them away. Completely disregarding the assassins order. The girl stood a little bit shorter than Lilly and had long flowing dark hair.

“Why…?” (Lilly)

“The commoners don’t know my face anyway, they won’t recognize me.” (Evelyn)

“I know! It’s drunkards harassing you I’m afraid off!” (Lilly)

“I’m sure you can handle a few drunkards!” (Evelyn)

“That’s not the point damnit!” (Lilly)

“Sure it is!” (Evelyn)

“Oh my god, you are impossible!” (Lilly)

Lilly had had enough and stormed of to the bar. Evelyn skipped along behind her, happy that she found a friend. Even if the friend wouldn’t admit it.

When they entered the bar they got a lot of strange looks with one of them clad in black hiding their face and the other a kid. Lilly sat down at the counter and ordered a mug of ale. Evelyn mimicked her and asked for her own mug.

“Miss, aren’t you a little young to be drinking?” (Barkeep)

“I’m older than I look.” (Evelyn)

“And how old are you?” (Barkeep)

“Fourteen.” (Evelyn)

“In that case you’re younger than you look!” (Barkeep)

“Oh come on, just give me a mug!” (Evelyn)

“Give it up, we’re leaving.” (Lilly)

“What, why, Aren’t you going to drink?” (Evelyn)

“I can’t drink with my face covered.” (Lilly)

“Then why did we come here in the first place?” (Evelyn)

”…”

“Really…?” (Evelyn)

“Let’s go.” (Lilly)

Lilly had been so flustered by Evelyns antics that she’d forgotten she was hiding her identity. Deciding she needed some actual sleep for once, noticing she was quite tired, she figured she should bring Evelyn back to the castle. On the way however Evelyn noticed where they were going and stopped.

“I’m not going back!” (Evelyn)

“What, of course you need to go back.” (Lilly)

“No, not until you promise to come visit me!” (Evelyn)

“I can’t do that.” (Lilly)

“Why not? You were strolling about in the park without anyone noticing, and you easily climbed the wall!” (Evelyn)

“That doesn’t mean I have time, or even want to.” (Lilly)

“Then just make some time! Or are you too busy killing of the nobles? Just because I’m sheltered doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention. Are there even any nobles left for you to kill!?” (Evelyn)

“I’m not nocturnal, I do shit during the day as well so I need the sleep, and I’m not only an assassin I do other jobs as well. I simply don’t have time!” (Lilly)

“…”

“…please.” (Evelyn)

“I…” (Lilly)

“I need someone to talk to. You don’t have to come every night, just now and then.” (Evelyn)

“Alright… I’ll visit you.” (Lilly)

“Thank you!” (Evelyn)

Evelyn quickly ran forward and hugged Lilly, almost knocking her over. After several seconds of tightly holding on to the assassin she let go. Thanking her again Evelyn ran off towards the castle.

“I’ll head back then, don’t forget to visit me!” (Evelyn)

(Is she really six years younger than me? I feel like she’s manipulating me…) Lilly couldn’t help but feel oddly anxious about visiting the charismatic girl.