Marlina raised her gaze, fixing her expressionless sister with a steady look. Her tone remained remarkably composed as she spoke, "Miss Seraphina, why would you utter such perplexing words?"
Seraphina observed Marlina for a prolonged moment before softly responding, "Marli, you've always been more intelligent than me, far more so. Do you believe that even now, you can deceive me?"
"Inothea met her end by my hand," she continued, releasing her grip on the planning documents, allowing Marlina to reclaim them. Disappointment seeped into her dark red eyes as she spoke, "Do you know what she said in her final moments?"
"She said," the wolf's gaze sharpened like a blade, "that she worked for Faust, and that anyone who dared to move against her should think twice."
"Those desperate to cling to life will say anything," Marlina replied, slightly bowing her head as she resumed writing in her planning documents. "Do you truly believe such nonsense, Miss Seraphina?"
