THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 120: Familiar Green Eyes

Chapter 120: Familiar Green Eyes

I paced back and forth in my room, worry gnawing at me as I stared at the window. It was already dark outside, the perfect time for assassins to move around without being unnoticed. The perfect time to commit a dark crime. I clenched my hands as I stared towards the house where I knew Celeste was, if I were to be going through my father’s wishes, this was going to be the perfect time for me to slip into her room and kill her as he had requested of me.

But since I already concluded I wasn’t doing that, I had no doubt that the assassins he sends will already be on their way. I was so nervous right now, I couldn’t think straight and it doesn’t matter how much chamomile tea Heather served me, I still couldn’t calm down.

"You know you really need to calm down." Heather said from where she was busy knitting on a rocking chair, "I already asked Eddie to station some guards around the house, believe me if an assassin was going to be getting inside he wouldn’t be going unnoticed." Heather said clearly convinced but I wasn’t.

"You don’t understand." I told Heather while staring outside the window.

She doesn’t understand, no one does. My father never threatened unless he did meant it, he always makes sure he follows through and if he says he wanted Celeste dead, I best believe he was going to find a way to get it done, without my help. And my father, he liked to do things extravagantly, he would not use any common street thug looking for some coin to get by. No, he would use professionals, those who are well skilled in the art of killing. The ones who were able to blend well in the darkness, wear it like a second skin. The ones who are silent, efficient and ruthless!

Fuckinghell, thiswon’tdo! I thought to myself with a frustrated sigh as I walked towards my wardrobe and yanked it open. I reached down the arrays of gowns and pulled out a box where I hid my daggers. Opening it, I grabbed one and a thigh garter which I strapped beneath the silky night gown I was putting on.

"Please tell me you are not going to do what I think you will do." Heather groaned from where she was.

I didn’t bother to look back at her as I replied. "I am doing exactly what you think I would do!"

I heard Heather mutter a string of curses under her breath, "You do know that you are being paranoid? There is no one that will be stupid enough to try that stunt."

Grabbing a black suede cloak from the hangers, I wrapped it around my neck.

Turning to look at Heather, I offered her a wry smile. "Like I said you wouldn’t understand!" I said and Heather opened her mouth to speak but I was already cutting her off. "Make sure Eddie doesn’t notice my absence."

I said as I went towards the window, ignoring Heather’s muffled warning. I jumped outside, landing on the ground softly below. The night air kissed my skin and I pulled my hood up as I made my way to the house, staring up at Celeste’s room.

My father’s killers would not be sloppy, they would be swift and stealthy and I intend to do the same too, be as stealthy as them. Maybe even more clever. I used the secret passage way I use to use as the black knight to make my way inside the house, all I needed to do was find my way in Celeste’s bed chamber.

All I need is just make sure Celeste was alright and then I would be going back to my won house. I quickly climbed up the stairs. I walked down the hallways, pressing myself against the stone walls but then I noticed something.

Silence and also the fact that there was no servants in sight which was a very bad a sign!

I stepped out not even bothering to hide. It was quiet, way too quiet, I could almost hear the beating of my own heart if I focused on it.

Something was clearly wrong! I know it was late at night and most servants should have retired to their quarters by now but still, there should have been at least few of them on the move. Even at this hour, there were always nighttime chores to do, some preparations before day break. But now? Now there was nothing except silence.

My hand moved to rest on the dagger strapped in my gown and moved faster, my cloak billowing behind me as I made my way to Celeste’s bedchamber. The stifling quiet surrounded me and my heart begin to beat faster in anticipation of what I was to expect and that was when I suddenly saw a dark figure but it was so fast, I thought the torches on the wall were playing tricks on me.

I wasn’t willing to take any chances though, I grabbed my dagger as I moved closer when I noticed the door to Celeste’s bedchamber was slightly open, a faint ring of candlelight spilled into the hallway. My fingers tightened around my dagger as I realized what was happening.

No one was stupid enough to leave the door to their bedchamber open this hour, unless of course someone had already occupied it and I have a good idea of who it would be.

Creeping forward, not daring to make the floor creak, I ran my hand towards the door and gently pushed it open just in time to see a dark hooded figure hunched over Celeste’s figure, the gleam in the dagger she was holding catching the dim of the candlelight.

I wasted no time in rushing forward and lunging at the assassin in the room. Already anticipating my move, the assassin blocked my attack. I tried to get a good look at the assassin but he was quick to throw a jab at my nose, causing me to stumble backwards while releasing a soft grunt.

At this distance, I could see the assassin was small but he uses his size to his advantage. He was also light when he moved on his feet, almost like he was floating on air. I watched as he delivered spinning kicks in the air which was towards me but I put my hands in front of me using it as a shield to block his attacks.

The impact of the kick sent an impact through my arms but I planted my feet firmly on the ground. He made a move to swing at me with his blade but I moved, just barely as the blade scraped the fabric of my night gown. I grabbed his arm and gave him a blow on his arm, causing him to drop his blade then I gave him a backhand on his face causing him to move backward.

Somewhere on the bed, Celeste released a soft groan. The assassin and I both turned towards Celeste on the bed before we turned to look at each other knowing fully well we have to end this before she wakes up.

The assassin and I lunged forward at each other, using our hands this time around. One thing I noticed was the fact that I was right. My father had sent a professional, I mean this assassin was fast, his fighting style was different too, more aggressive and I could barely keep up with him! He moved like a ghost, smooth and precise to the point.

Every blow was to kill and I was struggling to survive. I threw another blow but the assassin grabbed it moving to my stomach and instinctively I used my other hand to throw a punch at the leg he swung at me. Turning to the side, I lifted my legs and kicked him to the side causing him to stumble backwards but it only stalled him for a minute.

He lunged forward towards me again, raising his leg so high and I raised my hands to block it but I realized that was just a distraction because he sent a kick to my chest causing me to release a grunt as I collapsed against the door.

Celeste groaned again and the assassin and I turned to stare at her back. The assassin stared at me for a minute and then back at Celeste and just like that I already knew what it was he sort to do. I raced forward just as he pulled another dagger, I tackles him down to the ground causing him to fall on the nightdresser beside the bed.

He grunted which was satisfying to hear

I crawled on top of him to reach for the mask but he sent a kick to my face causing me to stumble backwards but it was too late, I already yanked the scarf away from his face and what I saw made me freeze in horror.

Two pair of familiar green eyes stared at me with utter hatred and rage and all I could do was just stare at the face hoping it was some sort of trick in the night, I mean it had to be, right?

Celeste groaned again louder this time and before I could contemplate what was happening, the dagger was thrust into my hand just as the assassin, stood up and leapt from the window.

"Wait!" I called out but it was too late, she had already disappeared into the night.

"Dahlia?" A voice said and I turned to look at Celeste who took one look at the dagger in my hand before she let out a blood curling scream that filled the night air.