11:43 PM, 18 Apr


    What did you just say?" Matthew stared at Eliza in disbelief.


    Eliza''s expression didn''t shift an inch. "I said, I won''t make the trade. Did you hear me clearly now? Or would you like me to say it a third time?"


    "Ehza, you


    The moment Matthew said her name again, a dark blur shed in front of him.


    Startled, he instinctively drew his dagger, trying to defend himself. But he was far too slow.


    Before he could raise his hand. Tina had already knocked the de clean out of it. Her other hand curled into a fist and crashed straight into Matthew''s face, mming him to the ground.


    He barely had time to register the blow before Tinanded a brutal kick to his chest, sending him flying.


    Matthew hit the dirt hard, coughing violently from the impact. "You... Who the hell are you? How dare youy a hand on


    me


    But then Eliza walked toward him, slow and deliberate, every step echoing with disdain. Tina stood proudly at her back, chin lifted, not bothering to hide the contempt in her eyes.


    "She''s mine." Eliza said coldly. Any objections?"


    She nced down at Matthew, who was still clutching the kite in his hands-even after the beating. The same kite their mother had lovingly made for him.


    Eliza sneered. I wonder how our mother would feel, knowing the kite she stitched for her son with her own hands is now being used to barter for the daughter of the woman who destroyed her?"


    Matthew gritted his teeth. "What the hell are you talking about? What daughter of a sworn enemy? You''re spouting


    nonsense.


    He tried to sit up, but pain shed across his face as he clutched his ribs. "Oh right, Eliza murmured. Tm rambling again." She gave a bitter, self-mocking smile. "Mother loved us so much. Even if she knew what kind of son you''ve be, maybe she still wouldn''t regret making that kite. "Oh right," Eliza murmured I''m rambling again.


    Her gaze sharpened "But what about you, Matthew? Do you have any regrets?"


    Matthew''s fists clenched tight. He red at her. "I know exactly what you''re trying to do. You want toe between me and Sophie. Well, forget it. Blood or no blood, she''s my sister-and nothing will change that."


    Eliza''s voice dropped. "Is that so? Then I hope you don''t regret those words when the truth finally hits you."


    And with that, she turned and walked back into Saint Grace Nunnery,


    There was nothing left to say,


    If Matthew insisted on staying blind, then let him. She wasn''t going to waste another breath.


    Back in her courtyard, Eliza sat down by the stone table, rubbing her temples in exhaustion.


    But just as she reached for a cup of coffee, Tina''s sharp voice r


    rang out, "Serenity, watch out!"


    A sh of emerald shot from beneath the table. A venomous green snake lunged forward and sank its fangs into Eli


    Eliza''s lower


    86%


    11:45 Fri, 18 Apr


    leg.


    Startled, Eliza jolted back. But Tima was faster. She seized the snake mid-strike


    and flung it to the ground, her sword already drawn


    With one clean sweep, she severed it at the neck.


    "Well now, that was fast," came a hoarse voice, followed by a slow, mocking p.


    Eliza turned toward the sound.


    A middle-aged man emerged from the doorway of her room, his entire body wrapped in rags, eyes sharp and dangerous as they slid from Tina to Eliza''s wounded leg.


    Looks like Mama knew how well-protected her little girl would be."


    Eliza calmly reached under her ck habit and pressed down on her shinyers


    of tightly wrapped protective clothy underneath.


    She''d prepared for this.


    If she hadn''t, the bite might have ended her.


    She looked him square in the eye. "Mind telling me who let you in on that little detail?"


    Nonus grinned, voice like gravel. "Seems I have a traitor to clean up, doesn''t it?” But Eliza wasn''t about to hand Gilbert over. She gave a cold chuckle. "Your master''s just a coward. A little pressure and the wholework folds. Why ask who gave me what when you clearly don''t have control over your own people?”


    Nonus raised a brow. "Fair point. Still, I''m curious-what exactly did you do to make Sophie talk


    His tone was casual, teasing, but there was a flicker of menace in his eyes-like he was already imagining how he''d return the favor.


    Eliza met his smile with one of her own, just as cold. "I have all kinds of tricks. If you''re so curious, I wouldn''t mind testing a few on you."


    "Your Grace, you''re wee to try anything you like, Nonus said, stepping forward with an exaggerated bow. "But let''s not waste time. I came to negotiate,"


    From his sleeve, he flicked out a strip of fine fabric-bloodstained and unmistakable. It floated to the ground at her feet. "You know this, don''t you? Nonus said.


    Eliza''s face darkened.


    It was a piece of the burial robe Caroline had beenid to rest in


    "Very well, she said softly. "If we''re going to negotiate, let''s make it real


    She reached into her sleeve, subtly pulling something from her pocket farm, and ced it on the table between them.


    A strand of hair-bloody, torn, clearly ripped from a living scalp.


    Nonus''s eyes went dark.


    "Don''t even think about using my mother''s remains to threaten me," Eliza said, voice low with fury. "If she''s unharmed, I''ll leave Sophie the same way."


    86%


    It was technically true-Sophie still had all ten fingers and toes. That counted as intact.


    Nonus let out a slow, dangerousugh. "No one''s ever dared threaten me like this before."


    "Well," Eliza said coolly, "there''s a first time for everything


    He narrowed his eyes. You''re not afraid I''ve already destroyed your mother''s corpse?"


    "If you''ve done that," Eliza said, barely holding back the rage boiling in her chest, "then I''ll shred Sophie to pieces, feed her to the dogs, and you can dig her out of their stomachs yourself."


    The chill in her voice sent a vis


    at a visible flicker of unease across Nonus''s face.


    Behind Eliza, Tina stepped forward, sword still drawn, radiating killing intent so sharp it filled the air like ice.


    Nonus nced at her, then back at Eliza. "Well, well. No wonder they call you Bortend''s first Holy Lady. I see the title wasn''t just for show


    Then, after a long pause, he finally spoke again. Three days from now. Bring my young mistress to Moonshade Pavilion, just outside Hasen City. If Sophie has suffered even a scratch... you don''t get your mother back."


    Eliza''s voice didn''t waver. "And I''ll tell you the same thing-if my mother has even a single hair missing. I''ll make sure Sophie wishes she were dead."