Apollonia didnt let go of his chin while she spoke. His deep blue eyes were wavering, as if he were admitting to her words.

Thats why you hesitated. But Apollonia dropped his chin.

But why didnt you kill me when you had the chance? Just like you said, my life is no more precious than yours.

She waited for his answer, frowning. Yet Uriel had no answer to give her, because even he didnt know just why exactly he hadnt killed her. The moment hed broken the barrier, his mind had been filled with the hunger to destroy her. Hed thirsted to see her red eyes trembling in terror. He couldnt just give her an easy, simple death. Yet strangely, he didnt regret not killing her.

Whatever the reason I dont peg you as someone who gives up so easily.

She seemed like she wanted to say more, but the middle-aged knight next to her interrupted them.

Your Highness, its nearly dawn. You need to decide what to do with him.

Hmm for now, lock him up for three days. If its not clear whether the assassin survived or not, my aunt will kill Safiro so she doesnt leave behind any traces of her presence in the plot. Theres a wound in his shoulder, so give him a painkiller in the meantime.

She knew more than hed expected.

And after three days, ki-

Her voice broke off, and she bit her lips. Her eyes quivered slightly.

Kill him. Uriel finished the sentence for her. The princess looked at him, puzzled.

What?

I already told you. If I fail my mission, Ill die anyways. You might as well kill me in three days, and save Safiro some work.

Uriel was serious. Safiro had lost many of his assassins, and if hed continued to do well, he would have eventually been assigned to a mission even he couldnt carry out. And just like the rest of them, hed someday be disposed of. All of Safiros wolves met similar ends.

He found little pleasure in the life Safiro allowed him to have, so he had no reason to keep on living, anyways. He didnt have a reason to die, either, so he just endured. His life was always intense, but he was bored of it all. Although he had no plans to die, he didnt think death could be as bad as life.

You dont seem to have any affection for your master.

Safiro is not my master. Nor is the Leifer family.

He didnt have anything to lose, so he didnt care what happened to him. His nonchalant reply cut off the princesss words. The knight next to her gasped, but he didnt care.

Its just my bad luck that I cant escape this life. It felt satisfying to be able to give that bastard Safiro just a little of what he deserved before Uriel died.

Her eyes widened when she heard his response. She jumped up, and yanked Uriels chin towards her. Her touch was harsh.

The worst sinner, Safiro the man who kidnapped innocent children, and made assassins out of them with ruthless torture. Uriel locked eyes with Apollonia while he spoke.

Your Highness

The middle-aged knight once again called her name, but she didnt take her eyes off Uriel.

He crippled the spirit, the soul, and even the sight of those children, all in order to beat them down and subjugate them.

I know this very well. Uriel smiled, and pulled his robe down his arm. The princess and the knight both gasped. Dozens of vicious, brutal scars ran across his shoulders. Some of them were raised well above the skin.

But sometimes, they

He paused for a moment. Apollonia finished his words for him.

Only

Sometimes there are people who choose the wrong path.

You must have endured a lot.

She showed a rare moment of compassion. The pain in his wounded shoulder was slowly getting worse, but Uriel didnt feel as bad as hed expected.

How old are you?

Uriel glanced up at the girl who looked down at him. The compassion that had flashed in her eyes was gone, and had been replaced by something else.

Seventeen.

She gripped Uriels face even harder, and pulled him closer to her. He flinched when the pain in his shoulder shuddered through his body. The corners of her mouth slowly began to turn upwards.