Katherine looked surprised as Cassian revealed his suspicions. The idea seemed far-fetched, and she couldn't quite grasp how he arrived at such a conclusion. With an amused smile, she asked, "How did you come to this? Don't you know that the royal family has been our ally for ages? If it weren't for us, Andharta would still be at war with the Empire, or worse, have lost it.
Why would they be behind any attack?"
"I've considered that," Cassian replied, his tone thoughtful.
"But you know that the Ven Dyke Duchy and the royal family are almost equal in military strength, as well as powerful warriors who've reached great heights." As he spoke, he gently slid her skirt up, revealing her soft, smooth thighs, and continued, "Now, if you become an even more powerful mage, the balance of power between the two families might shift in favor of the Ven Dykes."
Katherine fell into thought as she processed Cassian's argument. It seemed far-fetched, but the reasoning was sound. "But our ancestors swore an oath to serve them," she said, her voice thoughtful. Then she muttered quietly to herself, "Though that oath is ending soon..."
Cassian smirked, enjoying the moment as his hands kneaded her soft thighs. He could feel her wrestling with the new perspective he'd presented.
Katherine hadn't considered this angle before. She had always known she'd be a target for assassination attempts, as she had been for some time now. But this latest attempt had come dangerously close. She had always assumed it was the Empire or some unknown, shady organization behind it. Yet the facts Cassian laid out suggested a more powerful contender, one disturbingly close to her own family.
How could she have guessed that the contender Cassian was hinting at was her husband's own family? She still struggled to fully believe it. Despite their marriage being nothing more than a secret arrangement between their families, it was still a marriage. She wanted to believe her husband wouldn't wish her dead, though deep down, she knew it was likely just wishful thinking.
In the world of nobles, marriages were significant but not sacred. Divorce among powerful families was as common as it was among commoners. So, having a wife assassinated wouldn't be as shocking or scandalous as one might think.
But knowing it was just one possibility, she shook her head and said, "You could be right or wrong, but it's still a possibility, and my mother might have considered it too." She glanced at Cassian, who was staring at her thighs with unmistakable interest. Katherine felt a little of the respect she had gained for him slip away, yet she didn't stop him.
"Still, your guess is solid and has about a thirty percent chance of being accurate."
Hearing this, Cassian smiled smugly, pleased that his deduction had impressed her. "That's quite high, isn't it, my lady?"
"Yeah, it is," Katherine replied, amusement in her tone as she noted his proud smile. "And for that reason, I'm considering making you more than just my massage boy."
Cassian didn't mind being her massage boy, but he certainly wouldn't turn down a promotion. With a smile, he asked, "And what would that be, my lady?"
Katherine paused, considering his question. "You're still young and inexperienced, so no offense, but I'm leaning toward a role that's a mix between a bodyguard and a personal advisor. Would you be interested in that?" she asked with a smile.
Cassian fell into thought at her suggestion. Noticing his contemplation, Katherine added, "Think about it. You have a knack for deducing schemes, and you're skilled with a sword. With a few years of training, you could be qualified for both positions. I'd be willing to invest in your development."
This was enough for Cassian to make his decision. He hadn't really thought about what he would do once he became a first-circle warrior or stronger. Sticking with Lady Katherine, growing stronger alongside her, and perhaps even getting a chance at revenge sounded appealing.
But he still needed to confirm one thing. Hesitantly, he asked, "But I can still give you your massages, right?" His hands gently gripped her thighs, filled with eagerness.
Katherine looked surprised by his question but chuckled and nodded. "Yes, you can still give me massages. In fact, they're one of the main reasons I keep you so close, so make sure to do your best."
Cassian grinned, feeling a slight warmth in his cheeks. "I can definitely do that, but my lady, when are you going to give me the books on how to massage other body parts? You mentioned having tension in your waist and hips, and I've been trying to figure out how to massage those areas based on what I've read in other books, but it's just not enough."
Katherine looked amused at Cassian's mention of other books, fully aware of his true intentions behind wanting to learn more about those sensitive areas. She didn't mind the thought at all. "Lucy and Fukuyo will bring the books to Magisteria with them," she explained, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You can study them as much as you want, but it might take them another week to arrive.
I told them to leave after we reached Magisteria, but they might come early if they use the teleport gates."
She leaned closer, a teasing smile on her lips. "In the meantime, you can develop some techniques on your own if you want. Just make sure you don't make the problem worse," she added, her tone playful.
Cassian didn't pick up on her playful tone or mischievous eyes, but his mind was already spinning with devious plans to take advantage of her offer. He knew he needed to develop some techniques based on his prior knowledge of the human body from those books, making his actions seem legitimate. That way, he could satisfy his desires while hiding behind the guise of giving massages.
It was a risky game, but the thrill of it only fueled his determination.