To our family's bright future

That night, stars filled the sky, and the lights cast a soft, warm yellow glow.

The cicadas had fallen silent in the late hours.

Twilight's home was peaceful and quiet. Richie lay sprawled on the sofa, doing nothing but staring at the ceiling.

Twilight lowered his head and reflected on his work that day. A spy should never trust anyone, and he had clearly acted rashly that morning when handling Anya's situation.

Even that afternoon, he had needed a child like Richie to soothe his emotions. Unable to keep his feelings under control, he was a disgrace to spies.

Anya was already unconcerned. She knew she would pass the exam and enter Eden Academy, and she was certain her big brother Richie would be there with her.

Yor prepared drinks in the kitchen. She poured the hot tea, and its fragrance drifted through the room, tempting the thirsty Richie.

Richie sat up, hopped off the sofa, and leaned against the coffee table.

Twilight sat at the head of the coffee table, his head bowed in dejection as he bitterly reproached himself for his mistakes that day.

Just as Twilight stared blankly ahead, consumed by regret, someone tugged at his trouser leg, and a soft, sweet voice spoke:

"Papa, trust big brother Richie. Our family will definitely pass this exam. That grandpa with half a pair of glasses and that grandpa with glasses will definitely help us, Papa."

Anya tugged at Twilight's trouser leg with both hands, blinking her big, bright eyes. When she looked up at him, he lost himself for a moment.

Looking into Anya's lively eyes, Twilight remembered what she had said during the exam: "I want to stay with Mama and Papa forever."

Seeing how adorable Anya was swept all his worries away.

And Anya wasn't alone. A little boy stood behind her, his eyes shining, telling Twilight that the future held promise and that everything was worth it.

Looking at the two children, Twilight relaxed completely and spread his hands. "You're right. We'll leave the rest to fate. For now, let's reward ourselves for all the hard work we put into preparing for the interview!"

Anya broke into a delighted grin, showing her neat teeth. A blush rose on Yor's face, and Richie nodded in satisfaction. It was the best possible outcome.

All four picked up the hot tea from the table and raised their cups together. "To our family's bright future."

Richie and Anya held their cups in both hands and stood on tiptoe to touch them against Yor's and Twilight's.

The four teacups met with a clear clink, heralding a wonderful future.

Clatter.

Before any of them could drink their tea, a strange sound rang out, as though something had fallen.

Anya cried out in concern, "What fell down?"

"It's our family portrait," Twilight replied.

The four gathered around the family portrait, looking at the photograph on the floor.

Their spirits dipped for a moment, and Richie hurried to smooth things over. "This is what you call happiness falling from the sky!"

Yor belatedly smiled and picked up the family portrait, then hung it neatly back in its original place.

"Richie's right. This is happiness falling from the sky. Anya and Richie will both pass the exam. None of us needs to worry."

After their simple celebration, once Anya and Richie had fallen asleep, the assassin and the spy officially took the stage.

Yor wore a long black dress, a pair of long needles in her hands, her eyes filled with a terrifying bloodlust.

Her figure blended seamlessly into the night as the Thorn Princess's black high heels stepped onto the paving stones outside Mr. Swan's home.

Housemaster Swan had just divorced his wife and lost custody of his daughter. Miserable all day long, he drank himself into a stupor at home after work.

Click, click, click.

The sound of her high heels was crisp and pleasant, its rhythm distinct.

Like a cold breeze, Yor quietly appeared beside Swan and gently woke the drunken man.

Swan's eyes snapped open. Sprawled on the sofa with his bulging belly and alcohol-addled brain, he was incapable of moving.

At first, Swan was merely puzzled. "Mrs. Yor Forger, what brings you to my humble home so late at night? Even if you come to beg me in person, I won't show any mercy.

"Those two children of yours fall far short of Eden Academy's standards. The academy won't accept children like yours!"

Yor had not yet reached Swan's side. He watched her from a distance, unable to make out her expression.

Hearing his words, Yor simply said, "Is that so, Mr. Swan?"

The fat bastard still had no idea that disaster was upon him. As Yor approached, he even continued, "However, if you were willing to give yourself to me, madam, I'm not such a petty man."

Click, click, click.

Yor had walked from the doorway to Swan's side. Only then did he see her expression, brimming with bloodlust.

Swan began to panic. He slapped his face frantically. "This has to be a dream! A dream! Wake up!"

Yor raised the long needle in her hand, its tip gleaming.

"Excuse me, this is Mr. Swan's home, isn't it? Please forgive me for entering so presumptuously. Tonight, please allow me to take your life!"

Yor spoke the gentlest words while doing the cruelest things.

Now Swan panicked completely. Even most of his drunkenness had faded, but he still wasn't fully sober. He tried several times and failed to get off the sofa.

"Mrs. Yor Forger, Miss Yor, please don't kill me! I... I'll help your children get into the academy. Give me another chance..."

His eyes held terror, pleading, and regret.

Yor saw none of it. She remained gentle and ruthless.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Swan. You bullied my children, and I have to get justice for them. My apologies, but I must kill you tonight!"

Swan had not even begun to struggle. He was incapable of fighting back and could only take whatever came.

Yor continued, "Mr. Swan, please say your last words! Though no one will ever hear of them."

With all his strength, Swan crawled off the sofa and squirmed across the floor, howling as he went, "Help! There's an assassin-"

He also turned to look back at the silver needle gleaming coldly in Yor's hand and begged in a low voice:

"Please, spare my life. I'll do anything for you. Please, whether it's... admission, money... power, I'll do any..."

Yor remained unmoved, her eyes utterly dark. Amid Swan's prolonged howl, she twirled her weapon in a graceful flourish, leaving a pool of warm blood on the floor.

After cleaning up as quickly as possible, Yor slowly disappeared from Swan's home, leaving not a trace behind, as though she had never been there.

Thank you to Wuxin 11 for sending Xiao Qi flowers.

Thank you to the lovely What a Strange Ma Fufang for the support.

Sending you hearts.