A man with no face or name, who had no shape and was hard to describeā¦ That was the old servant, who is now called Bisset. Meeting him changed Lorenzās life and the fate of the whole Yellowmoon family in a big way. From then on, good luck also kept coming their way. Time and time again, Lorenz was able to thread the needle by listening to the Serpentsā orders to kill people but never actually doing it.
He knew about the Snakes. Knew how they slithered into peopleās hearts, took advantage of their weaknesses, and poked at their wounds. They were great at getting what they wanted. Both of his parents and grandparents had blood on their hands. Because of this, they became the Serpentsā tools, and the Serpents used this against them until the very end. Murder canāt be fixed like other crimes can. To kill someone, even just once, was to invite their stifling presence for the rest of your life. Even one death was too many.
Lorenz didnāt want to be ruled by their constricting methods. He didnāt want to kill people either. As a man with a quiet heart, he hated pain and suffering with the same intensity. He lied and tricked himself out of every request because he already knew that if he took part in even one of their dangerous plans, there would be no turning back.
But in the end, he got a job he couldnāt get out of: he was told to kill Bisset. At the time, one of the Chaos Serpentsā men had made it into Sunklandās intelligence organization. That was, of course, Jem. Bisset was a big problem for him when he tried to take over the Wind Crows because of how well-known and experienced he was. So, Jem tried to get rid of him. In the end, a friendās betrayal put Bisset in very bad shape. Then, Lorenz helped out and pretended Bisset had died to save him. Bisset had worked as Lorenzās butler ever since.
Barbara was a cunning Serpent, but when it came to spying, she wasnāt very good at it. As a previous member of the top intelligence group, Bisset found it easy to trick her. So, Lorenz got the most important things he needed: a way for important people to sneak out of the country and a friend who could help them do it.
āIn the world of information, local partners are as valuable as gold. Because of this, even oneās coworkers shouldnāt know anything about them. I learned this from Master Bisset, and in line with what he taught, he never told anyone who his partner in Tearmoon was,ā said one of the two girls standing behind Mia.
So thatās Miss Monica, who used to be the Wind Crowā¦
Lorenz thought about what the reports said about the person in front of him, and then he nodded.
āIndeed. I couldnāt do any of this on my own. Covertly moving people who could be killed to safer places abroadā¦ Dropping their carriages off rocks to make it look like they had diedā¦ These things were way out of my league. He did it all.ā
āNonsenseā¦ Complete nonsense. Thatās not possible,ā Barbara said, shaking her head from side to side even as the truth started to become clear.
Since there were no dead bodies, they couldnāt tell if their victims were dead or living. They could have sent detainment requests with personal details to nearby countries, but itās unlikely that anyone would have done that because it didnāt seem necessary. None of them ever thought that they would be the ones who were being tricked. But then Barbara remembered something, which helped her get back on her feet.
āHahā¦ Sir, you tell lies. I know youāve killed before. In fact, you killed him yourself with those special drugs you have. I saw the body myself. I even made sure it was gone.ā
āMy secret poisons, you sayā¦ I guess that makes sense. I have used those in the past. After all, I know so much about them thatā¦ā He looked right at her. āā¦it makes what you know look like a piece of cake.ā
Barbara opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her eyes grew wide as she suddenly got it. It wasnāt very hard to come to that decision. If she had ever stopped to think about it, she would have thought of it on her own.
Duke Yellowmoon was an expert on plants. And medicines. And poisons. That was something everyone knew. But how did he know all those things? How much of his vast knowledge would he need to kill if that was his only goal? Did a killer need to know everything there is to know about poison?
No. If the goal was to kill, just a handful would do. For example, a single dose of salamandrake was strong enough to kill. An assassin should be able to do their job with just a few drugs like these. The duke kept going, so why did he? Why did he keep digging when there were already poisons that could kill? Why did he study the effects of smaller poisons so carefully?
To not to kill, of course.
He studied them to find out the antidote that could counter their effects. And maybe how long he could wait to give them to the victims after they had supposedly died.
āBarbara, do you know why Iām so crazy about poisons? So I can use ones you donāt know and make it look like my victims have died. Poison is easier for me to use than other ways to kill because I can trick your people,ā he said with a smile of cathartic pleasure.
Everything had been a risk, of course. His work might not have paid off at all. Like Barbara said, the Yellowmoon faction couldnāt fight back against the rest of the kingdom if they went to war. With their clever ways, the Serpents could have whispered in the emperorās ear and told him to get the army ready. They could have also killed him and his friends in secret. If any of those very likely things had happened, the ace he had up his sleeve would have been useless. But those things didnāt happen, and he was able to put down his trump card.
Because sheās here becauseā¦
Lorenz glanced at Mia. Since she arrived, he had been paying close attention to her, trying to figure out if she was really as trustworthy as the reports said. His answer was in the way she looked when Barbara was being mean to Citrina and she glared at the older woman in anger. Whether she wanted to or not, Citrina had helped someone try to kill her. How many people would be upset if someone who tried to kill them was treated badly? A mean āgives you what you deserveā seemed like the most likely answer. But not Mia. Mia was upset about how people were treating Citrina.
Her Highness seems to have said that she believes in Citrina. Maybeā¦that alone should have been enough for me to trust you completely.
It was this thought that finally made him give up on her and show her his long-hidden hand. After showing Mia his cards, he said, āThatās all, Your Highness. Iāve said everything I wanted to say and am now waiting for your decision with humility.ā
Mia answered in the same way she always does when she gets a lot of new information at once.
āā¦Eh?ā With a wide-open mouth and a deep look of confusion.