The desired outcome had been achieved.
For the sake of harmony with the saintess—and to avoid inviting the wrath of the royal family—the thieves' guild had no choice but to cut off its tail cleanly. Loose ends were dangerous. In this empire, they were fatal.
"All it did was increase my annoyance," Alice said flatly.
Her arms were crossed, but the anger in her eyes was colder than any raised voice. She was not the type to shout. She was the type to remember.
"Try to look at it positively," I replied with a small shrug. "You'll be returning to the North soon, won't you?"
At the mention of her hometown, something in her expression softened.
Just a little.
A faint smile touched her lips—so brief that anyone who blinked might have missed it. Relief. Nostalgia. A longing she would never openly admit.
"The North…" she murmured. "It's been a while."
"The air is cleaner there," I added. "And the people are more honest."
"And colder," she corrected.
"That too."
