The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat - Volume 5 - Chapter 8

Chapter 8 | The Assassin Dances

Count Frantrude gave us a superb tour of the royal capital. He had a complete knowledge of the city, was a good conversationalist, and was attentive. His behavior was refined. He was a noble through and through.

He was the type that was popular with girls. His biggest problem, however, was the elitism that peeked through occasionally. He was a wealth supremacist, something you saw often among the aristocracy.

Noble girls wouldn’t approach him because of his bad reputation, and his pride prohibited him from reaching out to commoners. That left him alone and starved for praise.

Consequently, he was also easy to manipulate. I would have total control over his heart.

“Do you like the royal capital, Lulu?” Count Frantrude asked.

“It’s a wonderful place. I would like to live here someday,” I answered.

“Then how would you like to move into my place?”

“My, you’re such a charmer.”

I dodged his question, then blushed and looked at him with adoring eyes. I understood that these kinds of gestures would tug at his heartstrings.

We put our hands together and gazed at each other.

“You’re a lovely woman, Lulu. That was a joke, but I fear I may actually come to mean it.”

“Oh, I knew you weren’t being serious. You’re terrible, Count Frantrude.”

We both laughed bashfully. An innocent atmosphere reminiscent of a teen romance novel flooded the carriage.

I felt glares weighing on me, and I turned to see Tarte and Dia staring at me coldly.

It’s not like I’m doing this for fun. I would rather they not look at me that way.

The carriage continued to head for Count Frantrude’s estate.

I was in for a surprise when we reached the manor. I suppose this was what I should have expected from a once-famed noble family.

There weren’t many aristocrats who could treat guests with such a lavish mansion in the royal capital. Plenty of families had money to spend, but this place possessed the grandeur of history and tradition.

The structure was the final asset left to House Frantrude. If the count hadn’t killed his father and used every method available to him to restore the house, this estate would have fallen into other hands long ago.

I praised the estate profusely. This place was the count’s pride as a Frantrude, so complimenting it was as good as complimenting him directly.

“This manor is the very embodiment of House Frantrude’s history. I will do whatever it takes to protect it…no matter what people may say of me,” he said, his aspirations coming through. He must have gotten overly excited entertaining me.

It was likely that providing false testimony against me was part of his efforts to protect this estate.

“‘Whatever it takes’? That sounds dangerous. What do you mean?”

“Ha-ha, I don’t want to bore you. Anyway, the party is about to begin. I’ll lend you a room, so please use it to rest and freshen up.”

“I’ll do just that. See you at the party.”

I smiled and then made for the chamber Count Frantrude had granted me.

As soon as I entered the room, I began investigating it.

I searched thoroughly for any mechanisms that could pick up our voices and then tapped the walls to see how thick they were. Once I confirmed that no sounds would be overheard, I gave permission to Dia and Tarte to speak as themselves.

Dia spoke up first. “I don’t even know what to say about what I just saw. You had him totally wrapped around your finger. I feel worse about myself as a woman…”

“When you act like that, my lord, I think you could win anyone over,” Tarte commented.

“…It’s all just part of the job,” I insisted.

They hadn’t really accused me of anything, but I wanted to say that because I saw doubt in their eyes.

“I know that. You just scared me a little. If you were to manipulate a man that easily, then what about…?” Dia trailed off. Before she stopped, she was going to accuse me of performing to get them to like me as well.

I did also have the skill to seduce women. It was much easier than cross-dressing and enticing a man.

“I don’t act in front of you two. I want to be with you both forever, and that would be meaningless if I made you like me through acting or some kind of trick. It would be exhausting for me, and it wouldn’t last very long. Being able to love each other even after we share our true selves is what gives this meaning. That’s the kind of relationship we have, don’t you think?”

Had I only required their temporary loyalty, I would’ve played a version of myself that they would’ve cared for even more. But a relationship of that sort wasn’t real and would inevitably unravel at some point.

“Ah-ha-ha, that’s good to hear. I love you as you are now, Lugh,” said Dia.

“I love you, too. Hee-hee, being your true self because you want to be with someone forever is such a nice sentiment,” Tarte agreed.

“Thank you, you two.”

Dia raised an eyebrow. “Why are you thanking us?”

“I didn’t have a reason. I just wanted to say it,” I answered.

“You’re so weird, my lord.”

I gave my gratitude because they liked me for who I was…but I was too embarrassed to explain as much.

“All right, the party is about to begin. Come here so I can fix your makeup,” I stated.

“Sure thing… Lugh, can you teach me how you do makeup sometime?” Dia requested.

“I would like you to show me as well. You’re even more skilled than Mother,” said Tarte.

“Sure, I don’t mind. It’s a useful skill for disguise,” I answered.

“Yay! Hmm-hmm-hmm, I can’t take you being more beautiful than me!”

So that was the reason. As I saw it, though, Dia was already significantly more lovely than my female disguise.

Suddenly, she sniffed the air around me.

“I’ve been wondering, is that sweet smell a new Natural You perfume? I don’t like it.”

“I was curious about that, too. It smells familiar. It’s sweet like Lady Dia said, but it’s not appealing in the least. Why did you choose this? All of Natural You’s perfumes are so nice.”

They both criticized the scent rather harshly, but that was to be expected. It didn’t have any effect on women, but it had a massive one on men.

“I chose it because it’s best for the job, of course. You know how Tarte discharges pheromones that attract men as a side effect of Beastification? I harvested them to create this perfume. It’s an unpleasant smell for women, but it arouses passion in men.”

The pheromones Tarte released when using Beastification were intense enough to mess with the mind of an assassin with perfect control over his mental faculties. I could have employed a variety of aphrodisiacs and love potions, but none were as potent as this. A while back, I’d thought to secure some of Tarte’s Beastification scent to use as a raw material, believing I’d find a use for it later.

“You’re way too serious about this, Lugh! I can’t believe you’re going this far to seduce a man!”

“I-I’m so embarrassed. You’re wearing my scent… Urrrgggh, you’re terrible, my lord.”

They were both upset with me for entirely different reasons.

Shoot, I guess I shouldn’t have revealed that information.

“Anyway, it’s time for the party. Let’s get going.”

I cut off the conversation with an awkward smile, and we headed for the venue.

A few hours later, the party was in full swing.

I was exhausted, even with Rapid Recovery. The attendees were awful. Every single person there was an upstart who thought they could buy anything under the sun with money and made no effort to hide it.

Obviously, not all people who came into new money were of poor character. I just had a problem with the type who attended parties like this, thinking they could purchase honor and dignity.

Probably because he knew the idiotic clientele didn’t know any better, Count Frantrude had cut corners with the party wherever possible. Everything was cheap.

To give some examples, the orchestra providing the background music was second-rate. The food looked luxurious, but nothing more. Deep-sea maroru eggs were being passed off as the more decadent caspia eggs. The wine bottles were vintage, but they were filled with cheap alcohol. At a glance, it all appeared high-class, but it was only a charade.

“Urgh, I’ve never been to such an awful affair,” complained Dia.

Perhaps hoping to console her, Tarte said, “Ah-ha-ha, well, we knew what to expect.”

The girls were in low spirits and near their limits. They had been receiving vulgar glances and sexually abusive remarks all night, and some men had even demanded that they sleep with them in exchange for money.

I shepherded them to a corner of the hall to give them a break. Then I surveyed the hall and locked eyes with Count Frantrude, who was dealing with his unsavory patrons. He walked toward us.

“Sorry for the wait, Lulu. How about that dance I promised?” he asked.

“It would be my pleasure,” I answered.

I signaled with my eyes for Dia and Tarte to wait there, took the count’s hand, and made for the center of the hall with him.

“I’m so sorry about tonight. I couldn’t have imagined they would behave this vulgarly. I’ve subjected you and your friends to terrible distress.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Count Frantrude. Those men are at fault. Unlike them, you’re a true gentleman. Dancing with you makes my very soul sing.”

“It puts me at ease to hear you say that… Those upstart pigs are beyond help. I’m just as bad for having to use them… Ha-ha, sorry. For some reason, being around you causes me to let slip my innermost thoughts and complaints. I’ve never talked to anyone about this stuff before.”

Count Frantrude was a prideful sort and was loath to show any vulnerability. At the same time, he desperately wanted to have someone he could share his grievances with. That was why he revealed his innermost thoughts almost immediately after meeting someone willing to accept him.

My attractive perfume, physical appearance designed to suit his tastes, tone, charming behavior, and the drug I’d mixed into his alcohol all worked together to break down the armor around his heart.

“You’re such a strong person,” I remarked.

“…Am I? You’re the first person to ever tell me that,” he admitted.

“It’s true. I can tell you have a powerful will. I can’t bring myself to dislike someone like that. You may indulge in a bit of wickedness…but it’s not easy dirtying your hands to protect what’s important to you. I find that admirable.”

“I might cry. I think I’ve always wanted someone to tell me I’m not in the wrong.”

Count Frantrude smiled, and we continued to dance. When we separated after the song ended, he looked longingly at my hand and started to say something but was interrupted when one of the pigheaded guests ran up to us. The brute shoved Count Frantrude out of the way, grabbed my hand aggressively, and began to stroke it.

“Dance with me next, girl! Nicely done, Count. Didn’t think a senseless loser like you could reel in such a good one! Her hand is so smooth. I knew common girls couldn’t compare to the noble variety. This is worth all the money I spent!”

That gave me goose bumps.

Aristocrats always received special treatment. They possessed mana, which actually did give them abilities that surpassed ordinary people.

It was also true that a large number of nobles were attractive. There was a theory some believed that mana, shaped by aristocrats’ unconscious desires to be stronger and more beautiful, made it a reality.

It wasn’t surprising to learn that a few wealthy commoners took perverse pleasure in making nobles do as they wished. Ruling over those with mana made them feel superior. That was why these upstarts with no titles were hounding the count to snag noblewomen for the party.

“Mr. Chartreux, you’re making her uncomfortable. Please act a little more gentlemanly,” Count Frantrude chided.

“You sure you should be talking back to me, Count?” the man snarled.

Despite initially trying to stop the man called Chartreux after recognizing my discomfort, Count Frantrude went quiet.

This must be one of his best customers.

I decided to put on a little performance. I needed to make sure this unpleasant experience ended up being worth it.

I started by looking at Count Frantrude and pleading for help in timid silence. He responded by giving me a pleading look of his own.

His message was clear: “Please dance with this man.” I performed a momentary look of despair, then gave a resolved nod.

I was playing a maiden willing to sacrifice herself for her love. I silently communicated the message that it would be hard, but I would persevere for his sake.

“I—I would be happy to give you this song, good sir.”

“Even your voice is adorable. I’ll teach you how to use those hands and hips of yours.”

And thus, I was subjected to the dance from hell. His face was too close to mine, he was overly clingy, and he clenched my bottom frequently.

This was the most uncomfortable dance I had ever experienced as Lugh. I had more wretched experiences in my previous life, but this one felt so terrible likely because I now lived as a person rather than a tool.

Evidently, growing to be more human did come with drawbacks.

Thankfully, we got through the party without any major incidents. I can safely declare it to be one of the worst I’d ever suffered.

After I completed my dance with that upstart pig, he pestered me to become his mistress. Continually turning him down proved tiring.

I would have let it slide if that was all he’d done. However, he also cast dirty glances and words at Dia and Tarte.

I couldn’t let him get away with that. I was absolutely going to make him pay.

He was unaware of this, but I knew he was the owner of a company that served as one of Natural You’s business clients. His enterprise had been about to go bankrupt before it experienced sudden growth thanks to being associated with my cosmetics brand. Almost all of his income depended on his relationship with Natural You.

I could ruin him whenever I felt like it, and Natural You would suffer no damage in the process. There were plenty of replacements.

After the party ended, I had Tarte and Dia go to the room Count Frantrude lent to us.

Count Frantrude had invited me to meet with him alone. The two of us stepped onto his balcony and shared a toast.

“Sorry about earlier. I made you dance with such a terrible man for my own benefit.”

The first thing out of his mouth was an apology. He had fallen for me completely. That final act of mine was surely what had clinched it.

“No, I chose not to refuse him. I didn’t want to cause trouble for you.”

Tears formed in the count’s eyes. “…I will free myself of this situation. I just need to stick it out for a little longer, and I’ll be able to break my ties with their ilk. What I am about to say is for your ears alone. House Frantrude is on the verge of bankruptcy. That’s why I have to use those people to raise money. But it won’t be much longer until I have enough money to pay off the debt my moronic father is responsible for. Once I get there, I’ll never have to cater to those lowlifes ever again.”

There was a fire in Count Frantrude’s gaze. He was drunk on the alcohol, on the ideal woman I’d created, on Tarte’s pheromones, on the drug mixed into his drink, on his newly budding love…and most of all, on me.

“So please stay with me! I need you, Lulu. You’re the only person who has ever understood me. You risked yourself for me. I want us to be together.”

“Th-this is so sudden. I don’t know what to say.”

“I don’t know what’s come over me, either. But I want you more than anything. Once I get the money, I’ll be able to keep you safe and make you happy!”

“…I would like a night to think about this. I have a lot to consider.”

“Then can you give me your answer tomorrow morning? I will come by your room.”

“Yes, I promise to be ready by then. I do have just one thing I want to say first.” I paused and kissed Count Frantrude on the cheek. Taken aback, he pressed his hand against the spot.

“I love you. I have from the instant we met. I’ve never seen a more handsome man in all my life. But we nobles are never permitted to live for our feelings.”

I took off running after saying that, ensuring he would never forget me. Placing such obstacles between us would cause his affection and his possessiveness to grow.

He was head over heels for Lulu, which meant her time was at an end.

When the count called on Lulu tomorrow, she would be gone, and Lugh Tuatha Dé would be waiting to use her life as a negotiating chip. With his beloved Lulu on the line, Count Frantrude would definitely betray the mastermind.

Okay, time to return to my room and perform the finishing touches.

My plan was going to ruin whoever dared to plot against me. They were going to pay massively for putting me through this difficult and unpleasant experience.