Chapter 199
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Once they agreed on the time and place for the exchange, Nomus tumed and left without another word.
But just as he stepped past the courtyard gate, he suddenly paused–his gaze cutting sharply to one side.
There, standing silently beneath the moonlit archway, was an elderly nun with a stern face, her eyes cold and unreadable as she stared directly at him.
Nonus narrowed his eyes, then casually shook the rags on his body. Several snakes slithered out from beneath his sleeves. hissing menacingly in her direction,
He thought she’d pame. He thought he’d see fear.
But the old nun didn’t even flinch.
Tch.” Nonus scoffed, unimpressed, and disappeared into the shadows of Saint Grace Nunnery.
Back in the courtyard, after he left, Tina combed through the entire area with her sword drawn. She ended up finding nearly a dozen venomous snakes hiding in the corners.
“Just one visit from Nonus and my place almost turned into a snake den, she muttered grimly.
Once all the snakes were killed, she gathered their corpses into a bundle, planning to burn them all.
But before she could set the fire, a calm voice rang out from the courtyard entrance.
“Wait. Don’t burn them.”
Eliza tumed, surprised. “Mary? Why are you here?”
“If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have known you were hiding something this big from me, Mary said coolly, eyes sharp as a blade.
Eliza instantly looked guilty and shrank her neck.
So… Mary had been outside all along. She must’ve overheard everything between her and Nonus.
Eliza gave a sheepish sanile, “I was going to tell you, I swear. I just wanted to wait until the time and place were confirmed
first
“Is that so Mary’s voice was laced with doubt
I never lie to you,” Eliza swore, holding up her hand in a solemn gesture.
Mary snorted. “Fine. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt–for now. But three days from now, I’m going with you.”
Eliza’s eyes widened. That’s not a good idea. It’s going to be dangerous, I don’t know how many people they’ll bring. It fight breaks out… Mary, you’re a nun. That’s not something you should witness-
“Oh, now I’m a nun?” Mary cut her off with a sharp look. “Let me remind you–when I made my name as the Sage of Poison, I saw more corpses than you’ve seen living souls. Do you really think a little blood scares me?”
Eliza was thoroughly silenced.
Mary’s tone was final. “Whether you bring me or not, I’ll be at Moonshade Pavilion that day. You can’t stop me.”
And she wasn’t wrong. Letting Mary go alone would be even worse–what if she arrived before them and ran straight into an
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Chapter 199
ambush?
But this wasn’t a job for just the two of them–nor just the three, counting Tina. She needed reinforcements.
The Stonor brothers? Absolutely not. Fair–weather fence–sitters, the lot of them. If she handed Sophie over, they’d probably rush to her side with coffee and sympathy.
No–she didn’t even consider asking them.
That left only one name in her mind.
“I need to write to the Prince Regent, Eliza said to Mary.
The mercenaries Sophie employed were clearly from the underworld. Eliza had no connections in that world. Mary, perhaps, once had them–but now she was a nun, too.
That meant the only one she could rely on now… was Nolan.
She wrote the letter and sent it off. She didn’t expect him until the next day.
But to her surprise, he arrived that very night.
Even more surprising–Mary hadn’t left yet.
The moment Nolan stepped into the courtyard and saw the two of them standing there, he cleared his throat, awkwardly pressing a fist to his lips.
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“I saw your letter and… thought those people might return tonight. I figured I’d better come right away”
It sounded like an explanation. Probably was. Likely meant for Mary.
But the more he explained, the more it sounded like an excuse.
Eliza, feeling the awkward tension rise, jumped to her feet. “Oh. Right. Then come in. I’ll get you some coffee
She darted off into the house, leaving Nolan and Mary alone under the moonlight.
Mary looked at him coolly, “Your Highness, you’re a little too obvious. Even if you’ve developed… certain feelings, you should learn to restrain them. Serenity still belongs to Saint Grace Nunnery, What you’re doing could jeopardize her spiritual practice
Nolan had no defense. He’d acted out of impulse. The moment he received Eliza’s letter, his concern overpowered his reason. He hadn’t even considered how it might look until he arrived–and saw Mary standing right there.
Visiting a young woman’s home in the dead of night? If anyone saw…
Her reputation would be ruined. He lowered his head. “You’re right. It was careless of me. I apologize, and I promise–it won’t happen again.”
Won’t happen again? Mary’s eyes narrowed slightly.
She said nothing more, but her stare said it all.
Thankfully, Eliza returned with a tray before Mary could speak.
They gathered around the stone table.
After serving Nolan, Eliza turned to Mary. “You still ha
haven’t told me… what do you plan to do with those snake corpses?”
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Chapter 199
Nolan followed her gaze–and finally noticed the blood–soaked bundle sitting by the table.
A half–exposed serpent tail peeked out from under the cloth. Its greenish sheen made his stomach churn.
Judging by the size of the bundle, there were a lot more inside.
Realizing these makes had all been found inside Eliza’s courtyard made his blood boil.
Mary replied, “They may be dead, but their venom is still potent. Since we’ll be seeing this Nomus soon, I figured I’d brew something special to feed his precious little pets”
Her smile was ice–cold, brimming with killing intent. She looked nothing like a nun in that moment.
Poison against poison, Eliza thought, lips curling. Let’s see whose venom wins–Mary’s or his.
Nolan’s expression shifted slightly. He seemed to realize something but said nothing
Mary continued, “Nonus won’t bring too many to Moonshade Pavilion. Serenity and I can handle him. As for you. Your Highness. Id appreciate it if you could secure the surrounding area.”
Nolan frowned at first–he clearly hadn’t expected to be left out.
But after a moment of thought, he nodded. “If you’re confident, then I’ll leave Serenity in your hands.
Mary gave him a long, expressionless stare. Clearly unimpressed.
Nolan, however, looked completely at case with himself.
She let out a quiet snort
He chuckled softly in return. The air around the table suddenly turned… strange. Eliza felt a headache coming on.
When Mary finally left with her bundle of snakes, Eliza slowly turned to Nolan and, with mock reproach in her voice, asked, “Why were you bickering with Mary just now?”
Nolan gave her a picture of innocence. “I wasn’t. I just spoke without thinking
“Really?”
“Really. But if you think I said something I shouldn’t have, I’ll watch my words next time. Promise.”
Hearing that, Eliza suddenly wondered if maybe she had been reading too much into things.
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