The Assassin's Idle Cultivation System

Jacob’s hand resting on Claire’s slender waist froze.

"B-Blueprints of the palace? What are you even talking about, Claire?"

The amusement in his voice vanished almost instantly, replaced by confusion and a hint of caution. His brows knitted together as he stared into her eyes, trying to understand why she would suddenly ask for something so unexpected.

Claire’s heart skipped a beat.

She had pushed a little too hard.

Realizing how blunt she had sounded, she hurriedly lowered her head, her cheeks flushing a soft crimson as embarrassment spread across her delicate features.

"Uhm you know... Like how I am going to be your wife in the future and this will become my home... I just thought... It would be nice to see how my new home was actually built and how cool it really is!"

Her fingers nervously tightened around the white sheet wrapped around her body, clutching it against her chest as though she wished she could disappear into it.

She slowly looked up again, forcing the excitement in her eyes to melt into sadness.

"I just, get a little too excited sometimes. I am really sorry for overstepping my boundaries, young duke, I can shower by myself, sorry for troubling you."

’Any moment now...’

Claire thought to herself as she turned around and slowly walked toward the bathroom, her head hanging low in apparent shame.

The thin sheet draped over her body fluttered gently with every step, while her shoulders drooped as though she had genuinely been hurt by his reaction.

Behind her, Jacob remained motionless.

Watching her dejected back, an unexpected pang of guilt surfaced in his chest.

She wasn’t asking for money.

She wasn’t asking for jewelry.

She simply wanted to know more about the palace that would supposedly become her future home.

How could such an innocent request make him so suspicious?

Unable to bear seeing her disappointed, Jacob hurried after her.

He scrambled to his feet and hugged her from behind.

His hand gripped the sheets and pulled her in.

"You should’ve started with that, you know? Why would I not show you the greatness of my own house?? I can tell you and show all of it~" He whispered in her ear.

Claire bit the inside of her cheek to suppress the victorious smile threatening to appear.

"Really?!" She cheered.

"Yes yes. Anything for you."

"Oh my god I am so happy! I can’t wait to marry you, young duke!"

"Haha." Jacob laughed arrogantly as he pulled Claire in the bathroom.

Soon, after a minute of ’fun’ and 10 minutes of awkward bath, Claire and Jacob walked out of the bathroom.

Claire was leaning onto Jacob as if she couldn’t walk properly and she had suffered under his ’greatness’.

Keeping his promise, Jacob led her toward a gigantic crimson carpet that covered nearly the entire floor of his lavish bedroom.

The luxurious rug was embroidered with golden threads, depicting the crest of the Paxley family.

Grabbing one end confidently, Jacob rolled it aside.

Claire’s pupils shrank.

The polished wooden floor beneath was merely a disguise.

Hidden underneath was a sturdy iron safe, cleverly concealed so that no outsider would ever suspect its existence.

Out of it, Jacob pulled out a wooden chest, gently pushing it open to reveal some jewels as well as a scroll of paper.

"This is the blueprint of your future house, my lovely future wife." He smooched her on the cheek as he whispered.

"Wow!" Claire’s eyes sparkled looking at the jewels and the blueprints.

She excitedly grabbed them and unfurled it, looking at the intricate design of the mansion.

The underground pathways, the secret doors and even the vaults... everything was visible if one looked clearly.

Of course, in front of Jacob she only pretended to look at the large rooms and asking him which one would be their bedroom...

Jacob started to explain the prints in even greater detail, not knowing that he was only digging his own grave by doing so.

Claire never broke her character and feigned interest every time he bragged or showed off.

Once night came, she pretended to be tired and fell asleep right after, not even giving him a chance to show off his ’talent in the bed’.

"Good morning, young duke." Claire opened her eyes, noticing that Jacob was already awake and clutching his head.

He had clearly drunk a lot of wine yesterday and it was showing.

Claire massaged his head, acting as a nice and loving wife before telling him that she needs to go now.

Of course, she didn’t forget to ask for the blueprints to the house.

"Young duke, can I please, please, please take these with me today? I wish to see the intricate construction and study it greatly. I can bring it tonight if you wish to see me again..." She added shyly, her cheeks blushing beet red.

"Oh?" Jacob fell right in the trap.

He ignored the blueprints and tucked her hair behind her ear as he scoffed.

"Does my dear simply need an excuse to return now, huh?"

Claire blushed even more, "N-No, that’s not how it is, young duke! You tease me too much! I am leaving!"

Saying that, she rushed out of the bedroom and asked a carriage to drop her back to tavern.

The blueprints were secured.

After returning, she wasted no time chatting with Alia or checking up on her other underlings.

The mission came first.

She headed straight to Arlott’s—or rather, Sir Charles’—room.

Her cheeks were still rosy and her hair slightly disheveled from the previous night. Stopping before the door, she quickly adjusted her appearance, smoothed out her clothes and knocked softly.

A few moments later, the door swung open.

Standing before her was a shirtless man whose appearance could only be described as breathtaking.

His refined muscles were sculpted through relentless training rather than vanity, while the knight’s helmet concealed his face, lending him an air of mystery that only enhanced his charm.

And then there was his voice... deep and irresistible.

"What’s wrong, Claire?" he asked after seeing her.

Claire smirked proudly, pushing her hand against his chest as she found her way into the room, closing the door shut with her foot.

"The blueprints. I got them... Now it’s your turn to keep your end of the bargain, Sir Charles."