24th April 19xx
6 MORE DAYS
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"Geez, where the hell is she?" A man, slightly irritated spoke.
He hastily walks, all the while looking around the lively ballroom that is full of people, young and old, dancing and chattering with one another. Shortly after, the man met eye contact with one of the guards in the ballroom and approached him.
"Hey, Ivan. You know where Natalia is?"
"Greetings, Kaz. I haven't seen her yet, no. I reckoned Mr. Nikolai would have known where she was. He's at the private lounge right now. Although you'll have to wai-."
"That so? Guess I'll go and ask him. No way a father wouldn't know where their own daughter is at, no?"
Kaz then hurried off to the lounge.
"AH! Wait, Kaz! He's with the Woodwose Head right now! Ka- ah dammit! He's off..."
-----
It was a dark room illuminated only by a fireplace. Two old men stood there. Both with a glass of wine in their hands.
"Has the girl agreed to the conditions?"
"Yes. she might be young but she knows her duties."
"Rest assured that I will guarantee her safety... For the sake of both The Romanovs and the Woodwose family, she must be well and alive."
"..."
"Though, I overheard a certain matter, concerning her security. That she only ever has a single bodyguard. Is it not too few of a protection?"
"Indeed... She herself refuses an extra bodyguard you see."
"Hm..."
"Kaz. He is a violent one, but he has proven to be loyal and capable of being a man tasked as the only personal bodyguard for my daughter. They had... Long relationships, their bonds run deep. Numerous assassination and kidnapping attempts had happened and each time, he put an end to it far before they could ever so much as lay a hand on my daughter."
"I've heard various rumors about this Kaz character, It would be a lie if I said I had no interest in this individual. Mannerism about as equal as a wild and savage as a rabid dog yet acts as quick and efficient as a wolf. Such man... Is unpredictable, you best be sure that the leash you put him in is a tight one, lest you'll get bit once you turn your back. There's nothing more troublesome than an uncontrollable dog."
Hearing the man's opinions about the bodyguard, the other man turned his gaze to the fireplace.
"Have you... Ever heard of the 'Kyrill prison massacre'?"
"Hm? Yes... If I remember correctly, it was a massacre that happened at the Kyrill prison during the 'Mertvyy Sneg' calamity, 15 years ago was it not?"
"A massacre that leaves 37 armed soldiers dead, no one ever knew which militia group was involved in that massacre. An incident led to the truth that Kyrill prison is conducting human experiments on their prisoners inside their inner ward."
"...What is that incident had to do with what we're talking about?"
"What the media didn't tell you is that they're also kidnapping villagers from nearby rural villages as their guinea pig, even the women and children... A few members of our family just so happen to be from one of the villages and as the saying goes... An eye for an eye."
"Ah, so, it was your group who did it after all..."
"...As per expected, we sought retribution, blood as compensation. Armed with guns and a sizable force, I decided to bring my daughter along, exposing her to the grim reality of our family's ways for the first time. but... By the time we arrived, everyone was already killed. Fires and destruction everywhere. we had also thought that it was an attack from other militia groups that happened to find out about the truth but to our bewilderment, there was no sign of an external attack from rival militia groups; All of the prisoners were already gone, some died there but most simply had escaped from the rubbles. "
While listening, the other man with the wine gave a puzzled expression but said nothing and just continued to listen.
"One of the men noticed a trail of blood leading to the back of the prison. We followed it and discovered a lone boy sitting on a tree stump, drenched in blood, and dead bodies all around him. He's clenching a rifle clearly too large for him and staring down at the blood and ash-covered snow. "
The speaker lit a cigar and took a puff before continuing his story.
"After years of fighting on the battlefield, one could get a sense of the stench of death lingering on a person... Without so much as a glance, I could tell that the boy was the one that's responsible for the carnage that unfolded there."
"..."
"I believe all the men sensed it, even if subconsciously... None dared to approach him, no one even attempted to shout at him. After all, you'd never know what a wounded animal would do. It was clear that the boy is suffering many wounds and bleeding quite heavily. It was only a matter of an hour or two before he would succumb to his injuries. All we had to do was simply wait. Unfortunately, our undivided attention was on the boy, and none of us realized or expected that someone else would approach him. That someone being my dearest daughter, Natalia."
"...What?"
"...It was her first exposure to the battlefield, death and danger everywhere yet without so much as a care in the world, she nonchalantly approached him and not a moment later, brought him to me, asking me to take him to our family."
"As if he was just a damned stray puppy!" The man yelled before slowly regaining his composure and continuing on.
"I was furious then... No, I'm still furious even now. But I saw her eyes when she made that request, her eyes are resolute... It was not childhood ignorance that I was seeing, it was something else."
"..."
"As I've said, Their bonds run deep. he has proven himself to be worthy of his position and trust. He has not shown a single act of betrayal to the family once. Her decisions are ones that she has taken into a considerable amount of thought. I trust my daughter."
"Where is she now?"
"She's in the upper bedroom. Getting ready for the family photo. I had Kaz taking a look around the place before she arrived. Just to be safe."
"Nikolai... I've given you my word that none of the Woodwose family would touch her."
"It was simply an inspection. We have many enemies. I'm sure you understand."
"Fair enough. Then... I take it, he already knows about the marriage?"
"...Not yet. It'll prove to be quite the problem for him to know at the moment. I'll have him know once the marriage has been done."
"...Are you sure that's wise?"
"I'll manage it. I guarantee that the marriage will happen regardless of what might entail. As part of the deal, I shall offer my daughter... The sole heir of the Romanov, to you."
"Then... Here's to the Woodwose." one of the men loudly declared as he raised his glass.
"And the Romanov..." another one raised.
A private meeting and celebration between the two heads. No one outside that room knew about the plan they had for the future of the family. The true reason behind the truce of old rivals. Unfortunately, there was someone outside who had eavesdropped parts of the conversation. someone who happened to be the least desirable person to have known.
-----
It is the inside of a bedroom. a lavish one, illuminated by a crystal chandelier on the ceiling, and the floor is filled with luxurious furniture. A bedroom on the upper floor of the hotel, reserved for someone rich or important.
And there, sits a lone girl brushing her long hair in front of a mirror on a dressing table. A thin and elegant figure, pale blonde hair so long it reaches her knees and eyes, emerald green in color. She wears a white dress that looks traditional in nature yet still elegant.
Despite her beautiful looks however, she was silent. There is something that is troubling her mind but also an expression of resignation on her face. She did nothing but brush her hair gently and gaze with an empty expression into the reflection in the mirror, deep in thought.
The entrance door abruptly opens.
"Natalia! I heard about it! I heard what the old man forced you to do! What were you thinking agreeing to that?? Do you know what kind of man that Woodwose fucker is?!" an angry man shouts.
His hair long and disheveled suggested that he had little care in his looks. Despite him tying it to his back, it still did little to leave a good impression. His eyes are sharp and bloodshot.
The girl didn't have any reaction to the sudden outburst in her room, it was not a rare occurrence with her and the man.
"It can't be helped... that's part of the deal. It is my duty as the sole heir of the Romanov." She bluntly spoke as she continued brushing her hair.
"Well then fuck the deal! Is this what you truly wanted?? Marrying some old bastard more than twice your age?"
—Thwak!
The hairbrush flew violently across the room, striking the man square in the forehead
"Guah!"
The man staggered and fell on his back.
"Of course not!" The girl stood up after throwing the hairbrush, her scream filled with anger. But soon, that anger dissolved into sadness, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Of course not..." With a sad look, she replied to him. "You don't understand, Kaz. You don't understand the burden of having hundreds if not thousands of lives depended on you. Because... All you could do is take lives."
"...." The man was taken aback, unable to say a word.
Noticing her shameful outburst, she began to wipe her tears and straighten her dress. The girl took a deep breath before slowly sitting back in front of the mirror.
"...I had no choice. The peace treaty had to be made, the future of The Romanov family lies in my decision, Kaz." She now spoke in a tone just as she was previously.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
"Natalia... I- "
"Just for now, Kaz. Please... Leave me alone." She softly spoke.
Slightly downcast, Kaz then stood back up and quietly left the room.
With the brush no longer in her hand, all she could do was stare at the reflection in the mirror once more. Her eyes were slightly red and the hair she carefully brushed had turned messy once again.
Sigh...
Natalia slowly stood back up and walked up to where her brush was.
-----
Too noisy.
I can't stand the noise inside the ballroom, so I decided to head outside to cool my head down... Else I'm sure I would punch the old man's face the moment I saw him.
The air is cold. I wander around aimlessly and found myself in a garden courtyard just at the back of the hotel. It was dark but a pale light illuminated the surroundings. looking up, I saw nothing but the night sky... There, the moon shines all alone with not a single star that could be seen.
What an ugly sight...
I took a seat just below a tree on the corner of the garden a few feet from the door to the ballroom. I've always been drawn to shadowy spots. It always calms me down when I'm surrounded by the darkness. Here, no one will be able to see me, not that there's anybody out here anyway... All the guests are inside, all cooped out, nice and warm. Still, staying safe could never hurt. Years of being an assassin, you couldn't help but excel at acting like a coward. That's how I'm still alive after all this time.
"Haah..." I took a large air out of my lungs.
"What a fucking mess..."
Of course she doesn't want to... What am I? An idiot?
I promised I would protect her. No matter what. But now look at her... All sad and miserable. I swear... I'm going to kill that Woodwose bastard before the marriage will occur. I don't give a rat's ass about the rest of the Romanov family, all that I care about is Natalia. The rest could go to hell for all I care.
'Because... All you could do is take lives.'
"..."
I silently stare yet again at the dark night sky. The moon, now covered in clouds makes the sight above pitch black, it felt as if the vast darkness could pull me in.
"That's all I'm good at, can't you see Natalia? Taking lives is the only thing that I can do for you..."
......
Now I feel like shit...
I stand up, Rage building up inside me. I stare at the building where he's at.
I'll kill woodwose, that'll cheer me up for sure. Yeah... I'll fucking shank that fucker once the party is over. Or maybe a bomb would have been better? He had bodyguards... can't believe I forgot about that. Can't get close to him. This is going to be hard... but I'll fucking make it work, it has to. I have to call Lev, I'll plan an ambush on his route hom-
I reached out my pockets for my phone but instead, A metal object met my arm. It was then that I remembered what I had originally been here for.
Grasping the item out of my pocket, I took a look at it.
It was a silver necklace. One that she always brought with her. It just so happens that she forgot about it after leaving home that noon. Blinded by rage, I forgot to mention it back there in the hotel room.
Her face popped up into my mind once more. It was supposed to be an easy choice to make as her bodyguard. Her safety over her happiness... But I just had to remember her damn face back there. I crouched back down, looking at the necklace again.
"I don't want to ever see her making that face again if I could help it... "
Letting out a deep sigh, I finally calmed my frustration.
"Guess I'm an idiot after all..."
Fine. I'll play along with their little game for now, I didn't want to give her a hard time any longer...
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the cold air enter my lungs. It helps me clear my head a little bit better.
"Right... Then."
I'll go apologize to her.
I was just about to stand back up and head inside, but then I heard a light rustling and creaking sound.
I instinctively held my breath and stood silent like a statue, staying still in the dark shade of the tree.
Two figures came from the back gate.
It was supposed to be locked.
Intruders?
Judging from the body... a male and a female, they wore a tuxedo and sunglasses. I saw a faint glimmer, there was a gun on the man's belt, the female also brought a black suitcase with her. She seemed a bit fidgety; On the contrary, the man was calm albeit still wary of the surroundings.
They're heading to the ballroom...
-----
A step and a two, just keep walking and do as you're told. Leave no hesitation and all will be well.
I gripped the suitcase's handle tightly... Inside it was a bomb. Me and my partner are on an assassination contract. Our client wants chaos inside the ballroom and it is our mission to deliver just that.
A step and a two, just keep walking and do as you're told. Leave no hesitation and all will be well.
I keep chanting those sentences in my head. we just needed to head inside and pretend that we were one of the guests, the guards at the door had already been bribed, we just had to put the suitcase below one of the tables at the center of the room and leave, then another one of our partners will detonate it remotely. It was a simple plan. One with little chance of failure.
A step and a two, just keep walking and do as you're told. Leave no hesitation and all will be-
"Oi, what're you two lovebirds have there?"
A man suddenly emerges from the shadow, slowly walks to the front of the ballroom doors and stands there... Blocking the entrance. It seems that he is one of the guards at the hotel. Our reports say that the only guards guarding the entrance to the ballroom from this garden are inside and have already been bribed but it seems that the intel was wrong.
"Hm?"
We stayed silent. The man has yet to call for backup and instead slowly walks to us. we could still take him down quietly and continue the plan. But as he walked closer a shiver ran down my spine. The closer he is, the more obvious it is that he is no ordinary guard. Everything about him screams danger. The bloodlust was so thick that I could almost smell iron coming from him.
"Playin' the silent treatment, eh?"
Now in front of us; He narrowed his gaze. I took a glance at my partner and he too realized that the man is a threat... Someone who could break the whole plan easily.
"Oi, my guy... Didn't I just ask you something?" The man now looking down on us, spoke softly.
""...""
The both of them silently stared. No conversation is required anymore. Even without saying anything, it's clear that the both of them know what the situation they're in. The cold wind blows, the sky grows dark as the moon is covered by clouds. The courtyard is now pitch black.
"...."
"...."
It felt as if time stood still... The two men didn't move. I too didn't dare to move. I felt that if I moved even a little, the shadows around me would consume me instantly.
Moments later, the sky began to grow brighter once more, and as if signaling something, the two men finally made their moves.
But it was over in an instant.
My partner quickly took out his gun but before he could even blink, the man had taken out a knife on his sleeve and cut the finger that was holding the trigger with such precision. A diagonal slice upward, followed by a deep stab through the neck. Before my partner could even scream, blood had poured all over his mouth. I saw my partner collapse, choking on his own blood in less than a second. Desperately, he tries to close the wounds on his neck with his two hands even though even he knows that it is a futile effort. The man on the other hand seems bored, he looks more annoyed by the blood spurting on his clothes more than anything.
image [https://i.imgur.com/T1hHhLj.jpg]
I can't help but be amazed at the man's skills.
'I wouldn't mind getting killed by a person as skilled as him' I thought to myself at that moment.
But it was then that I heard a noise on my earpiece.
A step and a two.
"Can't go disturb the rich bastard's party, can we now missy?" the man took a step towards me. A demonic smile plastered on his face.
I took a step back.
"So why don't you hand over that suitcase already?"
just keep walking and do as you're told.
I took another step back.
He narrows his gaze once more; With a cold tone, he bluntly spoke.
"Or should I just take it after I gutted you like a fucking pig, huh?"
Leave no hesitation.
"...Fine, no hard feelings woman. I gave you a chance." A weak voice, almost as if he's disappointed... Or was it boredom?
Gripping his blood-soaked knife. Now determined to kill me, he took yet another step forward with the aim to end me.
and all will be well.
—SPLAT
-----
"...Huh?"
Without me realizing, a sharp burning pain emerges from my chest. I looked down and saw splatters of blood on the ground. My white shirt, now soaked with crimson right where my heart is at.
...Snipers.
I looked back at the girl in front of me. She acted all fidgety and frightened just a moment ago, as if this was her first day on the job... But now, she has a cold expression on her face.
All that act... Just to make sure that I let my guard down? Did she already know that I was there from the beginning?
The strength on my feet had already disappeared. I collapsed on the floor, coughing blood.
I shouldn't have let my guard down; Intentionally luring me to a position where the sniper could have a free aim at my chest.
She's even better of an assassin than me.
My vision started to blur and I'm beginning to lose consciousness.
Ah... I'm so tired.
Slowly, I closed my eyes.
Come to think of it... this is just like back then.
It was cold.
So cold.
-----
"...Target hit, confirmed." A man reported from my earpiece.
"..." I looked down at the man's collapsed body.
Pity... He let his guard down, despite the natural born talent he had as a predator, his arrogance is too fatal of a flaw. Had he just called for backup, everything would have been ruined.
And he would have fit right in with us too... Truly a waste of talent.
I walked past his dead body and hurried on heading into the ballroom's entrance with the briefcase in hand.
Now in front of the door, I could hear the music of the ballroom getting louder with endless chattering from the people inside. Slowly, my hand turned the doorknob. I was about to head inside, but then a noise on my earpiece resounded yet again.
"Shi-He's still alive, Behind you!"
I quickly looked back but it was far too late.
The man somehow still had some strength and was now standing, holding my dead partner's gun.
Our eyes met.
I could tell that he was on his last breath. He took a quick glance at the suitcase and wasted no time aiming at it.
I couldn't help but grin at the sheer determination he showed.
"...Heh."
—BANG
-----
It was a gamble. But time was not on my side, I was on my last dying breath. So, I pull the trigger without much thinking.
A bang rang out followed instantly with an explosion coming from the suitcase. I guessed right.
As the warm lights blind me, I close my eyes once again. This time for good. A single person's face came into my mind, and with it a distant memory of the past.
I was in a vast empty field of snow, with dead bodies all around me. There, I sat on a tree trump, all alone. Blood soaked all over my wounded body.
I'm just so tired... I wanted to sleep.
But then, without realizing it, a lone girl appeared in front of me and reached her hand out to me. She had a pure smile on her face and her green eyes sparkled like the finest jewel I've ever seen. It was the first time in my life that I saw a 'light' in this world, so bright that it instantly removed my fatigue.
That was the moment that I decided that I wanted to protect that light no matter what.
Even if it cost me my life.