Get ready for another, we dive into the beloved enemies-to-lovers trope that has charmed so many. Presenting Dagger to the Heart by Oori. This tale follows an assassin tasked with the daunting job of eliminating the empire’s princess. However, the mission proves to be far more complicated than it appears. Dagger to the Heart features a stunning and unique art style that enchants readers, showcasing a delightful diversity throughout. Let’s jump straight into Dagger to the Heart Chapter 1-8.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 1: The Assignment
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 1 opens with a man standing by the railroad tracks near the palace, revealing him to be the Assassin. After a moment of scanning his surroundings, he spots his target: the princess. The scene shifts to a flashback of the Assassin being offered a job. His employer, desperate to have the task completed, presents a lucrative payment. Sensing the stakes involved, the Assassin demands three times the pay upfront, knowing the job is extremely dangerous. The employer hesitates but ultimately agrees, sealing the Assassin’s hand with a mark. It was a symbol of both a deadline and a reminder of his commitment.
To Kill The Princess
Returning to the present, the Assassin lies in wait outside the palace, eager to complete his mission quickly. Inside, the princess, escorted by her guards, expresses a desire to take the day off and retreats to her chambers. The Assassin tracks her every move and plans to slip through a stained glass window. However, when he realizes the noise would alert the guards, he opts for the balcony instead.
He enters the princess’s chambers, glancing at the bed, expecting her to be asleep. To his shock, he finds it empty. Just then, the princess ambushes him from behind. Despite his experience, he gets injured during their scuffle. Quickly assessing her, he realizes the princess is surprisingly agile and strong. He attempts to disarm her, seizing her weapon, but she retaliates with a swift headbutt, sending the Assassin sprawling. In an unexpected turn of events, the princess pins him to the floor, threatening to send him to his demise as Dagger to the Heart Chapter 1 closes.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 2: Mission Failed
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 2 begins with the princess pinning the assassin to the ground, her eyes narrowing as she demands to know who sent him to attack. Internally, the assassin squirms, grappling with the unsettling realization that the princess is even stronger than the rumors suggest. He quickly concocts a plan to distract her in hopes of escaping. Annoyed by his stalling, the princess focuses intently on him. However, her gaze catches the peculiar seal on his hand.
Seizing the moment, the assassin grabs a handful of sand from a nearby broken flowerpot and throws it at her. The sudden onslaught disrupts her concentration, causing her to stumble. In an instant, he lunges forward, intent on finishing her, but the princess swiftly dodges his attack and yanks at the curtains, immobilizing him.
With the assassin momentarily restrained, the princess dashes into a drawer and retrieves something quickly. As he struggles, she presses magical dust against his forehead. Confusion flickers in his eyes, yet he spots her lowering her guard. Seizing the opportunity, he attempts to strike again, only to discover he is suddenly unable to move against her.
Misstep
Shocked by the effect of her spell, the assassin’s eyes widen as the princess calls for her guards. In a desperate bid, he dashes out onto the balcony, ignoring her warnings. The guards rush into the chamber, concern etched on their faces. When they ask about her well-being, the princess merely dismisses them, claiming she had a nightmare, carefully concealing the truth of the attempted attack.
Meanwhile, the assassin returns to his home, frustration and bewilderment swirling within him. Sitting alone, he bandages his wounds while plotting his next move against the princess. As he prepares for bed, he reflects on the day’s events, grudgingly acknowledging that the rumors are indeed true: the princess is a beauty, concluding Dagger to the Heart Chapter 2.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 3: The Meeting
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 3 opens with a group of noblewomen gathered in the palace, their conversation filled with complaints about someone who has kept them waiting far too long. It’s clear that their impatience is more about their disdain for the person they’re supposed to meet than any genuine interest in the occasion. Just then, the princess enters, flanked by her guards, catching the attention of the noblewomen who had, in fact, been waiting for her.
As she walks in, the princess’s mind drifts back to the encounter with the assassin from the night before. His seal had raised suspicions; he hadn’t attacked her like other assassins, leaving her unease lingering. The noblewomen greet her with all the formality of a royal handbook. One lady suggests a palace tour, but the princess decides to put aside her thoughts of the assassin for the moment. She wants to establish her authority, aware of the ladies’ underlying contempt for her. With a firm tone, she declares that she will have lunch with them today, deferring the palace tour to another occasion.
Royalty Has Powers
The noblewomen appear taken aback by her command, though one lady steps forward, feigning delight. Yet, she can’t resist making a jab about the princess’s choice of attire. The princess, however, responds with a witty retort that leaves the lady embarrassed, marking her as someone not easily trifled with.
Meanwhile, the assassin lurks nearby, observing the gathering. He is surprised to see the princess engaging in social events so soon after the assassination attempt. As he assesses the palace’s lax security, he prepares for another attack but finds himself unable to proceed. Fortunately, he escapes unnoticed but is frustrated to realize that since the princess had used that mysterious substance on him, his efforts to kill her have been in vain. His irritation mounts as he remembers how easily he could have accomplished the task if not for her clever trick.
As he walks, he suddenly halts, drawn in by the voices of two men nearby—Zaros and Lord Korian. They are discussing the princess and express suspicions that she was ambushed the previous night. The assassin recognizes Lord Korian, the regent of Senzade. He notices a box identical to the one the princess had opened to defeat him. The regent then asks Zaros to meet the princess in his stead, noting that Zaros was the tutor to her mother. He excuses himself, asking Zaros to convey his apologies to the princess.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 3 concludes with Zaros on his way to meet the princess, while the assassin silently plans to follow him, seeking another chance to carry out his mission.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 4: Approach
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 4 opens with the princess enjoying tea in her garden when a bird flits by, prompting her to vent her frustrations about an upcoming social gathering. She laments that if her brother were in her position, the outcome would be quite different and speculates that the regent and his sister must not care for her since they have yet to visit. Just as she expresses these thoughts, Zaros interrupts her. He disagrees with her assertion about the regent’s disfavor, but the princess retorts that her brother, the emperor, would surely have received a warm welcome. Zaros concedes this point, acknowledging that her brother naturally outshines her in social situations, a sentiment the princess reluctantly accepts.
As they converse, the princess notices a box beside Zaros. He explains that he and Lord Korian had come to her chambers to assess the damages and took it upon themselves to safeguard the box, believing it to be valuable to her. The princess, feeling a tad anxious, asks if it’s strange for her to carry a box filled with stardust. Zaros admits it’s uncommon, and she quickly assures him that it’s merely for fashion purposes. Curious, Zaros inquires if she has been involved in the tales of turning her hands to gold with stardust. The princess reprimands him, insisting it’s disrespectful to make assumptions about a royal, and politely instructs him to know his place. Zaros, flustered, apologizes, and the princess admits that her journey to Senzade was influenced by him.
Secret Liaison
Before he can respond, they are interrupted by a guard, who informs Zaros that the regent wishes to see him. Zaros rises to leave, and the princess can’t hide her annoyance that the regent would meet with anyone but her. As he departs, she asks him to remind the regent to fulfill his duties carefully and not to make an enemy of her. After he agrees, she watches him leave, then calls out to someone hiding in the shadows. The assassin emerges from the bushes but remains silent. The princess teasingly suggests he must be planning to kill her with his silence, which only serves to irritate him further.
Surprised, the assassin responds when she mentions the House of Vipers, and they engage in light banter. When the princess asks for his name. He declines to answer, instead pinning her against a pillar, hoping to charm her. To his astonishment, she flirts back, completely unreactive to his intimidation, leaving him flustered by her unexpected confidence, concluding Dagger to the Heart Chapter 4.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 5: Pact
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 5 opens with the assassin, flustered by the princess’s unexpected flirtation. Noticing his flushed expression, she teases the assassin, provoking him to grab her hand roughly and threaten her. Instead of being intimidated, the princess laughs at his threats, leaving him frustrated. He claims her apparent invulnerability must be due to some protective spell, to which she coolly retorts that his manipulation tactics simply aren’t good enough, making him feel like a failure.
The assassin then boasts that he could easily hire someone to kill her, but the princess warns him of the consequences if anyone else were to do the deed. She explains that the seal on her life will only lift if he kills her himself. It also puts him in a precarious position where he must not only refrain from harming her but also protect her. Annoyed, he proposes a deal, knowing she, too, has motives for wanting his assistance. Finally, she asks what the deal entails, and he requests her help in getting rid of his mark, in return for which she can use him as she pleases.
For Senzade
Before they finalize the agreement, the assassin asks for her name. The princess is shocked that he doesn’t already know it. She responds with a list of grand titles before revealing her full name: Princess Sazet of Ozian. In turn, he shares his name, revealing to her that he is Rafael.
Meanwhile, Zaros makes his way to meet the regent, mulling over the princess’s recent words. Upon arrival, he learns that it wasn’t the regent who called for him, but rather his sister, Lady Barda. She questions Zaros about whether Sazet has explained her reasons for coming to Senzade, suggesting that the emperor might have doubts about their loyalty. Zaros counters this concern but admits his genuine worry for the princess’s wellbeing. He implores the regent to assign an aide to her for her protection. Dagger to the Heart Chapter 5 concludes with Lady Barda agreeing with Zaros, recognizing the need for caution in the interests of Senzade.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 6: Stealing The Ring
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 6 opens with a folklore tale about the Goddess of the empire, which Rafael listens to with skepticism, dismissing it as mere nonsense.
The narrative shifts to a flashback in which Sazet asks Rafael to complete a task for her. We return to the present, where Rafael is preparing to fulfill that job. As he moves stealthily from one location to another, a woman catches sight of his silhouette. Curious, she attempts to investigate but is frightened by Rafael, causing her to scream for help. In her panic, she rushes to a nearby priestess, claiming she has seen a sea demon.
As Rafael continues his mission amidst the growing chaos, he prepares to steal a valuable item. He takes some pride in his monstrous traits, which help him navigate the confusion. Meanwhile, the priestess tries to calm the frightened girl when another person spots Rafael and also screams in terror, fleeing the scene. This triggers a frenzy, leading to a fire that spreads from hanging lights to the curtains, sending everyone into a panic.
Amidst the chaos, Rafael spots the ring he needs to steal on the priestess’s finger. As people rush to safety, rain begins to pour, extinguishing the flames. Seizing the opportunity, Rafael snatches the ring from the priestess during the upheaval. However, he is apprehensive about how Princess Sazet will react to the chaos that has ensued. As he walks away, a child calls out to him, labeling him a sea demon, and he reflects on his curse, concluding Dagger to the Heart Chapter 6.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 7: In The Shrine
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 7 begins with Rafael puzzling over Princess Sazet’s motives for wanting him to steal the ring. As he walks through the woods, he questions why she chose to meet him at an old shrine rather than the palace, wondering if it was another test. Upon entering the shrine, he becomes skeptical about his future, gazing upon a haunting picture that hangs on the wall.
Just as he is lost in thought, Princess Sazet appears beside him, her voice barely above a whisper. Disguised, she asks him not to refer to her as ‘princess’. But Rafael is quick to point out that her disguise still exudes an air of royalty. Sazet’s eyes sparkle as she inquires about the temple’s fire, causing Rafael to become nervous. However, the princess surprises him by laughing and revealing that she thinks the church deserves to suffer for its hypocrisy.
Secret Of The Ring
Rafael is taken aback, as he had assumed the priests revered her brother due to his supposed divine powers. Sazet reveals that while her brother’s powers do make the priests believe he is the reincarnation of God, they are not above threatening to withdraw their support if they don’t conform to the church’s ways. Sazet makes it clear that she has no patience for such manipulative behavior.
As the conversation unfolds, Rafael asks why her brother doesn’t take more drastic action to assert his authority, but Sazet explains that he is not ruthless, and she lacks his divine powers herself. After a brief pause, she asks Rafael about the ring, but he refuses to hand it over without first having some answers of his own. A tussle ensues, with Sazet attempting to take the ring from him. Rafael teases her, suggesting that she stop trying to flirt with him at the shrine. Sazet playfully retorts that he’s not capable of handling her, leaving Rafael at a loss.
As the standoff continues, Sazet ultimately concedes and admits that the ring is crucial to uncovering the identity behind her attempted assassination, concluding Dagger to the Heart Chapter 7.
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 8: Omens
Dagger to the Heart Chapter 8 begins with Sazet and Rafael stepping out of the shrine where he quickly gets clarified that he was merely a pawn in a larger scheme. And that there is a higher power that ordered the House of Viper to carry out the task.
As they walk, Rafael presses Sazet for more information about her investigation, growing frustrated with her vague responses. Sazet finally opens up, revealing that she discovered a scroll detailing an agreement between the Senzade Empire and the Kingdom of Rein. The ring Rafael stole was used to seal the scroll, and Sazet has also found an address mentioned in the agreement that she wants to investigate further. She asks for Rafael’s help in uncovering the truth, but he is annoyed at being treated like an errand boy.
Palm Reading
Rafael and Sazet’s bickering is interrupted by an old lady who approaches them, mistaking them for a young couple. She offers them a flower to celebrate their love, leaving both Sazet and Rafael surprised. When the old lady notices the ring in Rafael’s hand, she assumes they are in the midst of a proposal and congratulates them. Rafael tries to correct her, but Sazet plays along, amused by the misunderstanding.
The old lady offers to perform a palm reading for Sazet, claiming it can reveal the truth about their reunion. However, when she tries to remove Sazet’s gloves, the princess firmly refuses, causing the old lady to become scared. Rafael intervenes, trying to calm the situation, and Sazet apologizes before walking away. The old lady apologizes to Rafael for upsetting his “bride” and offers to perform a palm reading for him instead.
Rafael agrees, hoping to lift the old lady’s spirits, but the sight of his hands shocks her. Rafael grows nervous, sensing that something is amiss. Sazet calls out to him, urging him to hurry up, and the old lady quickly provides Rafael with two warnings. As Dagger to the Heart Chapter 8 concludes, the old lady tells Rafael to be on his guard, revealing that someone is still after him. Rafael is shocked and asks her how she knows. However, the old lady interrupts, warning him to beware of the princess’s lies.
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