At first I only thought that I just needed him to stay by my side so I won't feel alone. But then he did his best to dig deeper and claim a piece of my heart. I'm an assassin and my job was to kill people. I must not let anyone get close to me as they might become someone who'll be my weakness and the cause of my downfall.

I was trained since I was a kid and killed a lot of people by my own hands those who are not important and the one I considered sister died I my own hands.

I was a lone wolf for so long but the Agency gave me a partner, and he eventually became someone who I cherish, my very first disciple. He made the sleeping seed in my heart grow and flourish into a beautiful flower. But one day, I never thought that I met my demise by his own hands in a very cold place.

He was acting suspicious that day that I noticed every move he made but I never did bother to point out.

I pretended not to know his name for a long time as the Agency forbids its assassins to state their name. But for the first time in my life, I told someone my name and he was the very first one who reached out and called my name. Vincent was my killer and the person I cherished the most.

"Cianne~" he continuously call out my name and his tears were something I can't wipe for him anymore.

Instead of hatred, all I felt as my breath was slowly fading away was that I hope he will move on quickly and find himself a person who will ease his pain.

"Cianne" he called again and for the last time, I felt warmth in his tight hug.

I was in a very dark surroundings but I heard a voice. A voice that says that I can either be someone who destroys the empire or rather be the one who will give its prosperity.

In my second life, I have my past memories intact but Vincent's face were blurred and I can't see. to remember his features.

I became the only heir to a great empire ruled by a tyrant and I constantly have a knife attached in my legs as I have a lot of visitors at night, wishing to end my life.

I thought I avoided a faith of ending someone else's life but people are persistent to take my breath away. At first, I was ready to die but my maid always use her body as a shield to protect me so I have no choice but to fight for her life and mine.

As I grew older, I started to saw visions of the past and the future. The future was way worse than that of the visions from the past. I constantly hear a voice calling me into my subconsciousness and never expected that a dragon queen's spirit was attached into my soul.

As she saw all of my memories of the past was dark that it affected my aura that radiates darkness and she says that I was the best person who can contain her power. But then someone temporarily got me out of that space and it was a man who was considered to be the next mage of the tower.

Both of us grow up together and he constantly regulates my body but in return he continues his research in the castle. While I constantly use the Emperor's hunting head game as a way to assess my abilities. The emperor doesn't mind it since he said he was way stronger than I am and just use him as a target rather than my assigned guard.

Eventually as years passed, the dragon queen consistently tries to take over my body but the mage was still someone who is capable to fight her in my subconscious.

Until one day, a rift so large opened and she managed to take over my body. Shackling me in my subconscious and never let her guard down I the very moment.

Am I really fated to destroy this world? My first life was not fulfilling as it is but this second life was something that I massacred the whole people in the country.
Can I avoid this fate?

Chapter: Shadows Beneath Silk (≈1550 words)**


The palace rarely slept, but past midnight it changed—its brilliance dimmed into a softer, haunting majesty. Servants moved quietly through corridors lit by floating crystal lamps, the marble floors reflecting their careful steps like watery ghosts. Beyond the jeweled windows, Aldervale glowed faintly under the moon, unaware of the storm slowly gathering within the palace's gilded heart.


Celestia moved through the west wing with a focused calm that made Marienne hurry to keep pace. Lysander followed silently at her back, a shadow stitched to her presence. The banquet had been a stage, but now came the work behind the curtains—the part that determined whether the empire's future would be forged by open allies… or by hidden knives.


"Your Highness," Marienne whispered as they approached the Empress's council chamber, "are you certain we should begin tonight? You've barely rested."


Chapter 55 - Shadows beneath the silk