Much to Raven's relief, she was able to enter the carriage that she and the sixth madam used in arriving at the main manor before Edwin caught up to her.

Immediately her butt touched the soft cushion of the carriage, her body suddenly relaxed even if she didn't intend for it to be that way. It was as if the tension from within has been released.

''Too weak...'' Raven mumbled, her eyes looking down with a deep frown. In her former life, when she was still active as a dangerous criminal, her body had never relaxed like this. Even during her rest, she was always at alert and prepared for anything.

With many bounties, and targets on her head, how could she have the time to relax, even if it was for a minute?

It was the same with this body that she was in.

Now that the original owner had reached the age of succession, she was like a lamb ready to be slaughtered in the midst of hungry wolves. Yet, she was never prepared for anything, and died an insignificant death, according to that novel.

Just thinking about this gave Raven a sudden headache. Right. She still had to think about the fact that she was inside a novel.

'I wonder if I changed something since I as Raven's character is still alive?' Raven couldn't help but think about that question. Since she was inside a novel written by someone, then everything must follow the person's writing. Each significant and insignificant characters have their fates and endings written by the author, but she as Raven Langston was still alive.

Raven didn't know if this was a good or bad for her.

As she was in thoughts, the door to the carriage suddenly opened, and her gaze shifted to the sixth madam entering the carriage with the help of a maid.

Once the sixth madam was settled opposite Raven, the door went shut, blocking the outside world from both mother and daughter. Soon after, the carriage began to wheel back to their manor.

''Why did you accept that challenge when the victory is not your hands, Raven?'' Unlike before, the sixth madam initiated a conversation with the child in front of her.

'So you speak now...' Raven was amused. She never knew the always quiet sixth madam was a curious person.

''Why do you say that, mother?'' Raven asked. Her eyes deeply focused on the sixth madam, waiting for her reply.

''Death awaits you, Raven. That battle is your ending and everyone in this Grand duchy knows it.'' The sixth madam bluntly said without sugar-coating her words.

''And mother thinks I am not aware of that?'' Raven returned. ''I thought mother does not want to have the weakest successor in the Langston Grand duchy?'' She questioned further with a smile on her lips.

''....I never knew my words will be considered this much.'' The sixth madam said after a pause. Her eyes also fixed on Raven, trying to see through the thoughts of the smiling girl. In her heart, she was a bit puzzled about the sudden change.

Her daughter was never one to speak like this.

''So mother wants me to behave like before? I thought you find that version of myself very annoying, mother.'' The sixth madam's words were somewhat funny to Raven. When the original owner was alive, the sixth madam hated her weak and soft behavior. Now that her behavior was different, she still had something to say about that.

However, Raven did not look past those words. For the sixth madam to say that, it meant she was a little suspicious. Raven knew that, and the best way to diminish that suspicion was by speaking like this.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Her body language was important as well. The sixth madam despite her calm demeanor was a smart person. Anything that she does right now could give herself away.

''....So you knew...'' As Raven wanted, the sixth madam replied her with these expected words. Those words were like a sign that the sixth madam lessened her suspicions.

''I have always known mother. You, father, and everyone look down on me, so I don't see a problem in accepting fourth elder brother's challenge. Even if I wanted to decline, do you think fourth elder brother will allow it, mother?'' Raven arched a brow as she put forth that question.

''.....''

''I thought so too. Mother can also see this battle as an opportunity to change the perceptions many have of this daughter.''

''....''

''Mother does not like it?" Raven tilted her head in question.

''...Do what you want, Raven.'' The sixth madam turned her head away, a sign that she no longer wanted to continue this conversation.

''Thank you, mother. This daughter will disappoint you no more.'' Raven proclaimed with a smile. In response, the sixth only glanced at her without a word.

And so, the conversation ended between both mother and daughter.

-------

Deep within the late hours of the night, the Langston Grand duchy was dead silent as most people, including the servants were asleep on their respective beds.It was a peaceful night, but not for everywhere.

By the window of the manor of the sixth madam, a hand could be seen gripping on the window frame before a body was propped up and silently entered the room. Black boots noiselessly stepped on the floor, and motioned straight for the hunched figure under quilt on the bed. In the grasp of a black gloved hand was a sword with its blade glinting its sharpness due to the shining moon reflecting in the room.

Once the mysterious person got to the bed, the sword in the grasp did not waste time before plunging to that hunched figure underneath the quilt. The mysterious person expected a scream or a sound to follow after but nothing came. There was no sign of blood on the quilt well, and that was a bit puzzling.

Confused, the mysterious person withdrew the blade of the sword and closely eyed the quilt with a hole. Just as the mysterious person guessed, there was no blood. What was in the place of blood was a white fluffy object that followed after the sharp blade of the sword.

It was a feather floating down, and the mysterious person quickly realized that something was wrong.

Why was there a feather in the place of his target?

That question was easily answered as the person felt something inserted into his back.

''I guess I was correct about assassins being in this world, and you seem to be a man given your height and built. Am I right or wrong?'' A childish voice sounded from behind.

Stunned and still confused, the mysterious person instinctively wanted to turn around to see the owner of that voice. If he was correct, that voice should belong to his target....right?

''Turn around and another one will be aimed straight for your neck. Your death will be quicker than now.'' The voice threatened in a soft yet casual tone.''Since I need information from you, your back is the best place for my knife to aim for. If I had targeted your leg, I might be at a disadvantage because of this weak body. Your chest is a big NO since your heart is somewhere around there, so that leaves your back. I do hope the knife didn't touch your heart though. That will be very bad for me.'' The last two sentence were murmurs.

''Hmm....Why don't you move?'' The childish voice asked again.

Yes, why doesn't the mysterious person move? He was still at an advantage because the knife was only in his back and not his neck or chest. The sword was in his hand as well. However, he could not move any part of his body for some reason. His feet were glued to the ground as if something was holding him there.

Even if his will was to move and kill his target, he couldn't and that was unsettling because his life was at stake.

''You can't move...That's strange.'' The childish voice said again.''Then allow me to show my face. At least, you will have the face of a beautiful lady such as myself as the last face before your death. Be grateful for this privilege, Mr. assassin.'' True to those words, the mysterious person felt the absence of the person behind him. Fortunately for him, his eyes could move, and the person he saw walking out from his back stunned him.

Exactly as he thought, this person was indeed his target, but...the information he received was very different from who he was seeing right now.

''Hello.'' Seated on the bed with her small legs swinging back and forth, Raven twirled the silver cutlery knife between her fingers with a wide smile. Her crimson eyes were particularly glowing in the dark, making her seem like a devil crawling from the pits of hell for a deep-sated revenge

''Now....'' Raven paused for a moment and aimed the silver cutlery knife straight for his chest. The sharp knife pierced accurately in the middle of the assassin's chest.

*groan*

The assassin groaned in pain, but that was not of Raven's concern as she brought forth her question, still with her wide smile.

''Why don't you start talking, Mr. assassin? As you can see, I told a little lie, so your lips need to be a bit faster.''