Titus’ gaze was dark as he spoke coolly, “The worst thing to do in disputes between dynasties is to seek petty revenge. It ignores the big picture, causing more friction and obstructing any attempts at alliances. Snorting, Titus continued, “But I’m not the same. What I’m doing is to set my chess pieces in my place and wait to make my move. As for Sif, even if she succeeded, all she’d manage is to exile the Turnbulls from Morhen. And is that really a cause for worry for them?”
Luigi the steward was actually confused. “But they’re one of the Four Families of Morhen now. If they’re exiled, wouldn’t they lose the title?”
“Wrong.”
Titus smirked. “The strength of the Four Families of Morhen is more than what you see. Let’s take the Lawrences for instance their Morhen residence is dilapidated and neglected, but you’d be naive if you claim that they are not one of the four.”
Looking up, Titus’ gaze appeared distant. “Each of the Four Families embodies horrific strength, which not everyone can see. If anything, my father punished me not because I was wrong, but because I failed! The deed doesn’t matter-the outcome is everything.”
“I’d taken everything about the Turnbulls into account.” Titus sighed. “But I failed to predict the variable that is Frank Lawrence. That is why I failed-do you understand now?”
Even as Luigi came to realize the difference between Sif and Titus, he murmured, “B-But if you’d succeeded…”
“If I’d succeeded, the Turnbulls would be leaderless, while us Lionhearts would form their core leadership after Glen Turnbull’s death. We would have total control over them!”
Then, leveling an impassive look at Luigi, Titus asked, “Do you understand now? What Sif did was incurably stupid. She should have died sooner if only to serve the family’s interest.
Pausing, Titus then instructed Luigi,
“Go. Issue a formal statement of apology directed to the mayor. Pin any blame entirely on Sif, and deliver her corpse to the mayoral residence in exchange for Walter Turnbull’s release.”
“What…”
Luigi knew that it was the right move but could not do it out of sentiment. “That’s the body of a Lionheart…”
“Go,” Titus said bluntly, waving him off and returning his attention to his tome.
“Yes, Mr. Lionheart,” Luigi said, giving in with a bow and leaving somberly.
Soon after, a puff of black smoke popped inside the room, and a black-clad man appeared behind Titus. “Sir, Damon Lionheart is dead.”
“What?!” Titus, who had remained placid throughout his conversation with Luigi, wheeled on the man, disbelief showing in his widened eyes. Someone in Morhen was able to kill him?”
The black-clad man seemed undaunted despite the outrage in Titus’ eyes and calmly responded, “We looked into it. It turns out that the Lord of the Southern Woods has returned.”
“The Lord of the Southern Woods…”
Titus scowled at the name, muttering to himself, “What the hell is he playing it? He swore not to return! Doesn’t he understand the price of going back on his word… Hold on.”
Suddenly, Titus’ expression turned grim as a terrible thought occurred to him. “Maybe he did so deliberately, even though he knew what would happen?”
