A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night

Laura's breath hitched as an unnatural weight pressed against her chest. Her mana… it was locked away. It wasn't like having an empty reservoir—it was like it didn't exist at all. She turned sharply to Kael. "What about the wolf?"

Kael flexed his fingers, feeling for the familiar, distant tether that connected him to Nyx through the tattoo. There was nothing. His connection was cut clean. He met Laura's gaze and shook his head.

"Looks like we're completely at their mercy," he muttered.

The taller intruder cracked her knuckles. "That's right. Both of you are at our mercy. Because of the noise cancellation spell around the room, you wouldn't be able to call for help."

Laura exhaled sharply, running a hand through her tousled dark hair. She assessed the situation quickly—her magic was sealed, Kael's spectral wolf was out of the picture, and they were stark naked beneath the bedsheet. Fighting in this condition would be reckless.

"Fine," she muttered, reaching for her storage ring. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled it off her finger and tossed it onto the wooden floor. The small silver band clinked softly as it landed between the intruders' feet.

"That has everything we own," she said, her voice calm and measured. "Money. Valuables. Equipment. Take it and leave."

The shorter of the two women knelt, picking up the ring and inspecting it under the faint glow of the lantern. Her gloved fingers tightened around it, and for a moment, it seemed like they might actually take the deal. But the taller intruder, the one holding the artifact, remained still.

"That's not enough," the masked woman finally said, her tone firm.

Laura's emerald eyes narrowed. "Then what else do you want?" After a brief pause, she continued. "I'm not involved in politics, nor do I meddle in the affairs of the palace," she stated. "Even if you take me hostage, it will do nothing for you. My mother isn't the type to negotiate."

Her fingers curled tightly around the bedsheet, her expression unyielding. "Instead, she would rather let her children bleed. Then she makes those responsible bleed tenfold. If you're hoping for ransom, you're better off taking what you've been given and leaving. That storage ring holds enough wealth for you to live comfortably for years."

The room grew tense, the intruders exchanging glances. Laura's words had landed—she could see the hesitation in the way the shorter woman shifted her stance.

But the one holding the artifact wasn't convinced.

"Comfortable for a few years?" she echoed, tilting her head. "We're looking for something more permanent."

Kael, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke. His voice was serious, almost warning.

"Don't push your luck, lady," he said. He leaned back slightly against the headboard, the bedsheet dipping just low enough to reveal the taut muscle of his chest. "You've no idea what Her Majesty is capable of."

In response to Kael's warning, the bulkier and taller masked intruder lunged forward, seizing Laura's wrist in a vice-like grip. Laura's eyes widened in shock. "What the—"

Without warning, the woman swung her like she weighed nothing. Laura's body was flung across the room like a ragdoll, the force sending her airborne.

"Laura!" Kael roared, fists clenched.

Before she could hit the ground, the other intruder caught her in midair. Arms like iron bands wrapped over her shoulders from underneath, locking her in place. She struggled, but without her mana, she was powerless against the raw strength restraining her.

Kael's heart pounded. His golden eyes burned with fury.

The bulky attacker who had thrown Laura turned back to him, cracking her knuckles as if warming up for a real fight.

"That's one problem out of the way," she muttered. "Now for you."

Kael's pulse slowed. He can take them out whenever he can but he doesn't want to reveal his secret identity to Laura. Hence, he tried his best to continue acting like a weak noble but filled with courage. "Go ahead and beat me to death if you want. And see what happens."

The intruder chuckled. "You misunderstood. When I say I want something more permanent, it is not a materialistic reward but a mark that puts your dignity to shame permanently."

Kael's eyes widened as the intruder's gaze locked onto him. "You…" He realized what she meant.

"You're not what I expected," she continued, her voice low and husky. "That baby face and lean body of yours... you're quite ripped inside." Her eyes seemed to bore into his skin, making him squirm. "And your thing... it's bigger than any man I've slept with."

As she spoke, the bedsheet fell to the ground, and Kael's face burned with embarrassment. He hastily covered himself with his hand, shouting like a helpless lamb, "Don't come near me!"

"You, what the hell are you doing?" Laura's voice cut through the air, a mix of fury and desperation. "You bitch! Don't you dare touch my husband, or I'll flay you alive!"

The intruder's laughter sent chills down Laura's spine. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. You can try, little wife."

As the intruder took a step closer, Kael's false panic set in. "Please, don't... just don't do this in front of her. You can do whatever you want with me. I'll cooperate. just... don't let her watch."

Laura's struggles grew more frantic, her small body straining against the restraints. She was screaming and cursing, but her voice was hoarse from shouting. The intruder's grin gleamed behind her mask as she approached Kael, who seemed like a frightened lamb. She enjoyed his expression.

"Too boring that way," she said, her voice dripping with malice.

Kael's eyes welled up with tears as he begged, "Please, just... atleast cover her eyes, then. Don't make her watch this."

The masked woman tilted her head, amused by Kael's desperation. "Not a bad idea," she mused, then turned to her partner. "Turn around. Let the little princess listen but not see. It's more fun if the dear princess hears the screams of her husband but she can't see what's going on…"

The other intruder hesitated for a second but eventually complied, adjusting her grip on Laura to ensure she remained locked in place.

"No…" "You bi*ch…" "Leave him alone now…"

Laura screamed in frustration, struggling violently against the iron hold, her entire body trembling with rage and helplessness.

On the other hand, the taller intruder, grabbing the artifact in one hand, reached to Kael with a grin on her face. She didn't plan on completely complying with Kael's request. She will ask her partner to turn the princess around after a while. And when the princess breaks down and is done having fun with this baby face, she will switch places with her partner. This is how she will take her vengeance against the princess, teaching her a lesson.

But when she saw her prey, the latter's expression suddenly shifted. The fear in his eyes melted away, replaced by something cold, something primal. His baby-faced features hardened like stone, his muscles tensing as if coiling for a strike. He glanced at Laura—her eyes clenched shut, her body writhing in futile resistance—then exhaled sharply.

The air in the room changed.

The intruder standing before him hesitated, sensing something was wrong. That was the last thought she had before the shadows around Kael twisted and roared to life.

A mass of energy erupted from his body—dark, ethereal, and laced with killing intent. Twin daggers materialized in his hands, glowing with an ominous crimson hue. The woman's amusement turned to alarm.

"Wha—?"

The energy clone lunged. With inhuman speed, he surged forward. She had no time to react. A sickening 'shhhk' filled the room as Kael's dagger found its mark, slicing cleanly through her throat. Her eyes widened in shock. Blood sprayed. *Hck*

She gasped, a final strangled sound leaving her lips before her head rolled from her shoulders and hit the ground with a dull thud.

The second intruder, hearing the noise, instinctively turned around. The moment she saw her partner's lifeless body crumpled on the floor, her grip on Laura faltered.

That was her fatal mistake.

Kael's energy clone set its eyes on the next target. It streaked through the air like a phantom blade, severing the second intruder's head before she could take a single step toward escape.

Everything just happened in a matter of seconds.

Silence.

The metallic scent of blood filled the room.

Laura collapsed to her knees, gasping, her mind catching up with the abrupt shift from despair to salvation.

Kael stood there, breathing heavily, his gaze remained on the back of his energy clone for a moment longer before he turned to his wife.

"Are you okay?" His voice was softer now, almost tender, as he rushed to her, running past the energy clone that just stood in the middle of the room in silence. Blood is dripping from the blades in his hands.

Laura swallowed hard, then nodded, still catching her breath. Her hands were clenched so tightly they shook, but she refused to show weakness. Like Kael, her gaze was also on this energy being who just appeared out of nowhere. "Wha…"