A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night-Chapter 90: A blood relative (2/2)

"You…"

Nadia’s breath hitched, but her heartbeat remained eerily steady. Kael found it fascinating how composed she was—how even in the face of threat and danger, she didn’t flinch. But that slight reaction at the end… it was enough.

"More importantly," Kael continued, watching her closely, "I know it won’t come down to that." His fingers twirled the dagger lazily before sheathing it at his side. "Because you care about that young man… don’t you?" His gaze bore into hers. "Both of us know the truth, even if you refuse to admit it. So, I will have you answer some of my questions, Nadia. And I repeat my first question: Are you related to Moonstone House? If I had to phrase it more directly, are you a descendant of Moonstone House?"

A long silence stretched between them.

Finally, Nadia let out a heavy sigh. Her shoulders slumped, the weight of years pressing down on her. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity he hadn’t expected. "Yes, I’m a descendant of Moonstone House. My name is Elowyn Moonstone. Garfeld was my husband’s surname. I took his surname while pursuing an alchemist career. And Kael Moonstone is my grandson, my Hestia’s child."

Kael’s breath stilled. He had suspected many things—that she might be his grandaunt or she might have some distant connection to his bloodline—but this? He hadn’t been prepared for this.

"Grandson?" He narrowed his eyes, his mind racing to piece it together.

Nadia’s expression softened, but there was no warmth in it—only regret. "I left my ten-year-old daughter in my sister’s care, who is the head of the house, and abandoned the capital due to circumstances beyond my control." Her voice wavered for the first time. "I never returned."

Kael’s jaw clenched. But he controlled his emotions and asked. "And what does Moonstone bloodline have anything to do with the resurrection of the Monarch of Darkness?" His tone carried an edge.

"Eh? Monarch of Darkness?" Nadia seemed surprised at that question. Kael also knew that she probably has no idea about it, but he just took a shot and while it didn’t strike the target, at the very least, it gave off an impression that he is there to enquire about the Monarch of Darkness—the founder of ’Clowns of Ark’.

Nadia shook her head and spoke. "No. I have no idea what you are talking about. As far as I know, Monarch of Darkness has no relation to our Moonstone House. And everyone knows that his body was destroyed in the Battle of Five Kings and his soul was imprisoned away, deep in the bottom of the ocean. It’s impossible to resurrect him."

A bitter silence settled between them. Kael studied her carefully, weighing her words, her expression, the truth in her eyes. He had spent a fair share of years reading people, knowing when they lied and when they spoke from the heart. And right now—she wasn’t lying.

He exhaled slowly, retracting the dagger from her throat. "I believe you." He jumped away from her and landed on the floor.

Her brows lifted slightly, as if she hadn’t expected him to say that.

Kael straightened, the dangerous glint in his eyes softening, but only slightly. "I never had the intention of harming Kael Moonstone. If anything…" He allowed himself the ghost of a smirk. "I’ve been protecting him from the shadows."

Nadia remained silent, studying him in return.

"I won’t involve myself in your family matters," he said, turning away and stepping toward the window.

He paused. "But, Grandmaster," he added, his voice taking on a darker tone, "if I find out that you just made up some nonsense to escape my blade…" He glanced back, his gaze deadly. "Then I’ll remind you—there has never been a target I, K, failed to assassinate. It doesn’t matter if you hide in "

Nadia’s lips parted slightly, but it wasn’t fear that flickered in her eyes. It was recognition. "K?" she murmured, her voice tinged with something close to disbelief.

As the shadow of Kael’s presence faded from the room, Nadia remained motionless, staring at the spot where he had last stood. "The Enemy of the Throne… Noble Assassin K…" she murmured under her breath. Her frown deepened as she turned toward the dim candlelight, its flickering glow casting wavering shadows along the walls. "On one hand, he’s acting against Queen and on the other hand, he is secretly protecting her son-in-law?" She shook her head in disbelief. "That was the last thing I expected…"

Her eyes instinctively flickered toward the old wardrobe standing silently in the corner of the room. She couldn’t help but climb down the bed and move toward it, before reaching out to the wooden chest. "I hope the items are still here." Holding her breath, she flipped the latches open and lifted the lid.

Inside, three objects lay nestled against a velvet lining.

She exhaled in relief. "Untouched." She then gazed at the opened window and murmured. "Now, what should I do with Kael?"

*

The next morning, Laura stirred slightly, her body still caught in the haze of sleep. A warm presence beside her made her blink groggily, her vision adjusting to the sight of Kael lying next to her, propped up on one elbow. His gaze was fixed on her, a soft smile playing at his lips.

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"Good morning," he murmured, his voice smooth yet teasing. "You really have the most beautiful eyes when you wake up."

Laura felt a flush rise to her cheeks, the warmth of his words seeping into her drowsy consciousness. Before she could fully process it, Kael leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. It was brief, but enough to send her heart racing.

"What’s gotten into you?" she asked, still a bit groggy, but her lips curved into a smile. "You seem… unusually cheerful this morning."

Kael simply shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "I just feel good, that’s all. No particular reason." Then, as if reconsidering, he added, "Or maybe… it’s because I finally spoke about a few things I’d been burying inside for a while. It made my heart feel lighter."

Laura’s expression softened. She reached up, her fingers brushing gently against his cheek. "Oh, Kael…" she murmured affectionately.

He smiled at her tenderness and, without another word, closed the distance between them. This time, their kiss deepened, slow and languid, a shared moment of deep intimacy. Laura melted into him, her arms looping around his neck as their tongues entwined.

For a full minute, the world ceased to exist beyond the touch of lips and the steady rhythm of their breaths. Then, Kael finally pulled away, a mischievous smirk on his face. "By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a while now," he said, tilting his head curiously. "How come you never have morning breath?"

Laura blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected question. Then, she chuckled. "Oh, that’s because of my dragon bloodline."

Kael raised a brow. "Your bloodline prevents bad breath?"

"And more than that," she replied with a knowing grin. "Bloodlines like mine have automatic cleansing properties. My mouth is always fresh, my hair and body never smell, and I don’t get dirt on my skin even if I go without a shower for days."

Kael blinked in surprise. "Now that is a useful ability."

Laura laughed, amused by his reaction, and tugged him closer. "Yes, it is."

He grinned as she pulled him in for another kiss, their lips meeting once more in a slow, lingering embrace.