My brain short-circuited as I tried to process the information.
'The night of the assassination…' I murmured in disbelief.
I'd been transmigrated to the start of the novel. However, it had to be the most dangerous start possible.
Tonight.
The banquet massacre.
The night the Evernight family fell.
[You have received a new main mission.]
[Mission details: Save Evelyn Evernight.]
[Rewards will be distributed based on your completion rating.]
[Accept/Reject?]
Astra's words pulled me out of my thoughts like a divine curse.
"Fuck…" the word slipped out of my mouth subconsciously.
"What?" the maid raised a brow in confusion as though she'd misheard.
"Give me a moment to change my clothes before heading to the banquet grounds." I suppressed my raging thoughts and gave a quick reply before slamming the door.
The maid remained staring at the door in confusion, her eyes wide with surprise.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked no one in particular.
Shaking her head, she decided to go and call the other servants.
…
Moments later, I arrived at the banquet hall, dressed in a dark professional butler's white shirt and neatly ironed trousers.
My eyes were filled with unspeakable emotions as I replied to the system.
'I accept the mission.'
[I wish you luck, host!]
Astra echoed before falling silent.
"I'll need it." I muttered before stepping into the hall.
…
The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the sight of elegantly dressed nobles.
The air was lively with chatter, glasses clinking in the background, and bursts of laughter echoing through the grand hall.
Expensive perfume mixed with the scent of wine and roasted delicacies drifting from the banquet tables.
Today was Angeline's birthday, hence the celebrations… her sixteenth birthday, to be precise. The day she would awaken her ability.
An expensive chandelier lay suspended above, casting a warm orange glow across the marble floor.
Pale blue balls of light floated gently around the hall, causing gasps of amazement to echo from a few ladies nearby.
My eyes shifted around, quickly spotting a man performing elegant gestures with his hand. Using his ability, he easily controlled the floating lights illuminating the surroundings.
Finally, my gaze moved again, landing on the figure of an elegantly dressed woman seated at the head table.
I picked up a round of servings and made my way toward her.
Seated alone was Evelyn Evernight, Angeline's mother.
Noting that the family head was still busy speaking with his brother, leaving just Angeline here, I knew this was the perfect moment to approach her.
"A glass of wine, please." A voice caused me to pause in my tracks.
Not willing to alert anyone of my intentions, I politely smiled and offered him a drink before continuing on my way.
Along the way, I was interrupted a couple more times. I politely declined a few requests I guessed wouldn't cause trouble before finally arriving near Evelyn's table.
She wrinkled her brows slightly the moment I was about to approach.
No servants were allowed near the head table. It was a rule every servant knew by heart.
Dressed in elegant blue clothes that clung tightly to her perfectly proportioned ass, thighs, and slim waist was Evelyn.
Taking a closer look at her, with the soft blue light illuminating her delicate facial features, I was momentarily taken aback by how beautiful she was.
With a mature charm that could intoxicate anyone, her gaze held a hint of maternal warmth.
Her slightly massive breasts rose and fell slowly with each breath she took.
Her brows wrinkled into a faint frown as she gestured for me to attend to the remaining guests.
However, I acted as though I hadn't seen the gesture, increasing my pace until I finally reached her.
Just as she was about to reprimand me, I spoke in a quiet, solemn voice.
"There will be an assassination tonight."
Perhaps it was the weight of my words, or the seriousness in my tone, but Evelyn froze.
Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at me.
A mixture of shock and confusion flickered through her gaze as it lowered to meet mine.
Squinting her eyes, she asked,
"What do you mean?"
"Dead. Everyone would die tonight."
A faint chill seemed to pass through her expression.
"How are you so certain of that?"
"I know you don't trust me. In fact, you shouldn't." I continued calmly. "But come with me. Only I can keep you safe."
Evelyn was silent for a moment.
Then her narrowed eyes relaxed.
"Get out of my sight."
How could a mere servant come from nowhere and start spewing nonsense about an assassination?
The mansion had been inspected multiple times. Guards had secured every entrance.
No assassin could possibly infiltrate tonight.
As such, she wasn't fazed by Logan's warning.
I wasn't too disappointed or surprised by her reaction.
In fact, I had expected it.
Leaning closer, I whispered something in a low voice before quickly pulling away.
Evelyn's eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced around the hall.
But I had already melted back into the crowd.
However, the final words I'd spoken echoed in her mind like a curse.
Her gaze occasionally swept across the hall.
Taking a slow sip of her wine, her eyes scanned the crowd.
Her fingers drummed against the armrest rhythmically.
Almost as though she were counting.
Waiting.
Some time later, the family head arrived.
A middle-aged man with dark brown hair and tired grey eyes.
Walking beside him was a young girl dressed in a shimmering white gown.
Her dress glittered with multicolored reflections as it caught the floating lights drifting through the hall.
A sweet smile rested on her lips, filled with excitement about the future.
With deep black eyes that carried a childlike innocence starkly different from Evelyn's mature gaze, was Angeline.
'It's finally my sixteenth birthday! I'm the happiest person in the world!' she thought excitedly as she walked gracefully toward the center of the hall.
The family head stood up with a warm smile.
Raising his hand, the crowd quickly fell silent.
All eyes turned toward him.
By the side, a faint sense of unease tugged at Evelyn's heart.
Something felt… wrong.
For a moment she almost believed the servant's words.
But she quickly shook her head.
Something like that could never happen.
Trying to dismiss the strange unease, she glanced toward her husband, a soft smile replacing her earlier worry.
"Today, we are all gathered to celebrate my pride and joy. My beautiful daughter, Angeline, turns sixteen today… a truly memorable day!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause erupted across the hall.
Turning to Angeline, who still stood there smiling gently, the family head continued.
"I present my gift to you…"
Gesturing toward the towering doors behind him, they slowly swung open.
Four guards stepped inside.
Suddenly—
Bang!
Something tore through the air at a speed no one could even perceive.
Before anyone could react, a spear had already pierced through the family head's skull.
Bang!
His head exploded like a watermelon.
Blood sprayed across the marble floor… and across Angeline's white dress, dyeing it crimson.
Her smile froze.
Her eyes trembled as she stared at the headless body before her, unable to process what she was seeing.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Four flashes followed.
The guards who had opened the door had their heads severed cleanly from their bodies.
Blood sprayed violently across the entrance.
Evelyn stared at the scene in horror.
Her face had been dyed red by the blood of her husband.
Everything felt like a nightmare.
A dream she couldn't wake up from.
And then, like thunder exploding inside her mind, the servant's final words resurfaced.
'In twenty minutes… your life will change forever…'