The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 369: Chapter 364 — Letter

Zephyrion unknowingly tightened his grip on the letter, staring at the name written across the top for several seconds.

Lumi had never learned how to read or write. She’d been groomed purely to be a weapon since childhood, and her awakening had only made things worse. Now, after barely a month of learning at the academy, she had written him a letter.

Zephyrion could already imagine how excited she must have been, the innocent, bubbling joy of learning something as mundane as this, of finally being able to communicate with him through more than signs and gestures.

A smile crept onto his face as he opened the envelope. A sweet fragrance immediately wafted out, and the moment he unfolded the paper, he was greeted by an assortment of colors and glitter scattered across it. She had clearly gone all out.

Then his eyes fell on the first line, and he immediately barked a laugh.

Hi. It’s me, Lumi.

Her name was literally written at the top of the paper. Who else would it have been?!

Zephyrion shook his head, unable to wipe the smile from his face.

’She’s still the same.’

Still completely clueless.

He was about to continue reading when he finally noticed the stare boring into him. Raising his head, he found the old ancestor watching him with undisguised intrigue.

Only then did Zephyrion become acutely aware of the laugh he’d just let out, and worse, the wide smile currently plastered across his face.

The smile vanished instantly. Then he cleared his throat, his expression returning to its usual coldness as he stared fiercely at Demorian.

”What?”

The ancestor’s lips curled into an irritatingly sly smile before he slowly shook his head. ”Nothing.”

Zephyrion gave a small nod, making it clear that was the correct answer, then returned his attention to the letter, carefully suppressing the eagerness that threatened to show on his face.

Hi, it’s me, Lumi.

Are you safe? Are you eating properly? I hope you’re not training too much again. I don’t like being away from you. I miss you.

Zephyrion’s fingers tightened slightly around the paper, but he continued reading.

Uncle Garrick is here with me. He smells terrible. I told him to bathe, but he says real men don’t need to. I don’t believe him. You bathe.

Zephyrion had to suppress a chuckle.

He almost felt sorry for leaving her with Garrick. His uncle could be a handful even on the best of days, and Lumi was now apparently discovering that firsthand.

Still, she needed protection from the church, and when it came to keeping her safe, Garrick was the best person Zephyrion could think of.

He finally left, so I can breathe properly again. He says I’m supposed to talk about myself in the letter instead of just saying whatever comes to my head.

I learned how to read and write. It was difficult at first, especially the writing, but I’m getting better. There are a lot of people my age here, and I’m already the best in my class. My teacher praised me in front of everyone today. Everyone clapped. It felt good.

My friend Lena is also at this academy. I think she’s nice, and we’ve gotten closer. I made some other friends too. Sometimes we eat together, and sometimes we just sit around and talk. It’s fun.

There’s a boy who keeps bringing me flowers and trying to buy things for me. I’ve told him to stop, but he keeps doing it. Lena says he likes me. I told her I know. I thought she meant as a friend. Apparently she didn’t. She says he’s a good person and I should give him a chance.

A quiet rage immediately began simmering in Zephyrion’s chest.

’Lena...’

The image of a round-faced girl with round glasses surfaced in his mind, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

’It’s always good to know who your enemies are.’

I refused.

The rage disappeared almost as quickly as it had come. Zephyrion exhaled softly and continued reading.

The gifts are nice, but accepting them feels strange. Lena says giving someone things is how you show that you like them. But you’ve never given me anything...

Zephyrion paused.

He searched through his memories, trying to recall even a single occasion where he’d given Lumi a gift, only to come up completely empty. His brows slowly furrowed.

’Have I really never given her anything?’

I also hear people talking about me when I walk past. They laugh and call me mute. They’re cunts.

’...Cunts?’

Zephyrion blinked. He stared at the word for several seconds, wondering where the innocent Lumi had possibly learned something like that.

Apparently I’m not supposed to say that. Uncle Garrick also said I shouldn’t tell you where I learned it, so don’t tell him.𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Of course.’

Zephyrion slowly shook his head, mentally adding it to the growing list of things he needed to discuss with his dear uncle.

Uncle Garrick said they’re bullies, and that people like that only stop when you make them. So when some girls tried to pour water on me, I beat them up. I got in trouble, but I think it was worth it. They don’t laugh when I walk past anymore.

Zephyrion gave a satisfied nod.

’Good.’

It’s been more than a month now. I miss you. A year feels too long. Can’t you come visit me?

I had a bad dream that you got hurt. I know it was only a dream, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

Please be careful.

I think that’s enough. I’m running out of space anyway.

Write back when you can. I’ll write again soon.

Zephyrion felt a knot tighten in his chest as he folded the letter and carefully slipped it back into the envelope.

”Yikes. That one hit hard, didn’t it? Look at your face, protege. You look like someone just died.”

”...you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Zephyrion ignored the ancestor and settled cross-legged in the middle of the room.