Aldric had once considered taking my own leverage instead, but the full weight of the Ferro dynasty's accumulated debts and blood oaths was far more than a civilian woman like Elara could wield. The network would have crushed her. He'd been forced to abandon the idea.
It had taken him all these years of searching to finally find my master's Original Oaths, the perfect instrument for Elara's ascension. A neutral elder's custody documents, clean enough for her hands, powerful enough to legitimize her permanently.
My words landed, and understanding dawned across Aldric's face.
"Ah, so it's the Castellano old man's little protégée. I was wondering who had the nerve."
"I understand you're grieving, but there's no need to forge a fake blade and impersonate the Ferro heir just to cause a scene."
He waved his hand with casual dismissal, his tone edged with impatience. "Enough. Considering your filial devotion, I'll let today's antics slide."
"Toss that counterfeit stiletto into the furnace."
"Then go find Capo Yunhe, pick whatever post catches your fancy in the organization, and stay out of trouble from now on."
With that, Aldric wrapped his arm around Elara's shoulders and turned to leave.
I reached out and locked my fingers around Elara's wrist. My voice was ice. "What's the rush?"
"I don't want your post. I want you to return my master's bones and sinews."
"Then come back with me and keep him company in his grave."
Both Aldric and Elara froze.
Rosalia was the first to recover.
Eager to prove herself, she charged over and slapped me across the face, snarling, "Nara, you ungrateful wretch!"
"The Boss lets you off and you push your luck?!"
"Apologize to the Boss and his wife this instant, or I'll deal with you myself!"
She flipped her hair over her left shoulder as the last word left her mouth, already coiling for something crueler.
I looked at Rosalia, cold and unblinking, and let my voice drop lower.
"Senior Sister. Everyone who has ever laid a hand on me is dead. My husband is the only exception."
Rosalia's brow furrowed. She spat, "Nara, have you lost your mind?"
"You've never even been betrothed. Where did this 'husband' come from?"
"That's enough. Apologize now and stop this lunatic act!"
But before the last word left her lips, Rosalia crumpled to the ground like a rag doll. The bones in all four of her limbs snapped at once, twisting her arms and legs at grotesque angles.