TMLOWM 21

Tyburn readily nodded.

“Very well. Let’s do that.”

Lani cleared her throat. Even to herself, this felt like a job well done.

“First question… Was it you, Lord Tyburn, who killed Lady Amy?”

Lani stared at Tyburn with a tense expression. If he really had, it would mean Tyburn had a significant—if not terrible—impact on Hyder’s personality development.

In fact, it might’ve been better if Tyburn had died.

“What if it’s true?”

Even though she had saved him, she was still worried.

Lani watched Tyburn closely, anxiety on her face.

Tyburn clicked his tongue without the slightest hint of agitation.

“Why would I do such a thing?”

“…So you’re saying it wasn’t you?”

“I never hated Amy. I was concerned for her. I warned her that no one would be able to protect her. And… in the end, that’s what happened.”

Lani nodded cautiously.

“He’s definitely more trustworthy than Kiera, who tried to poison Hyder. Honestly, it makes more sense that Kiera framed Tyburn.”

If someone had used poison once, what’s to stop them from doing it again? As the saying goes, the first time is the hardest. Plus, judging by Tyburn’s betrayal points, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

Lani raised two fingers.

“Second question, Lord Tyburn.”

“Ask away.”

“Can you keep my visit here a secret? Including the fact that I helped you? If you don’t, then I won’t have a choice either.”

This was more of a plea than a question.

“And if I don’t have a choice?”

“I’ll talk so much trash about you to Young Master Hyder. He really, really relies on me right now! If I bad-mouth you, he’ll probably start hating you too.”

Lani said with a serious face. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if she could follow through on the threat. She kept checking the system window while talking to Tyburn. His betrayal points were still at zero.

“I really don’t want unnecessary trouble.”

But as a penniless maid, she didn’t have many ways to threaten someone who had everything.

“…What a dilemma. Fine. I agree. But if you so much as say one bad word about me to Hyder, I’ll go around telling everyone what you really are.”

Well, he’s not as soft as he looked!

Lani exhaled sharply. She realized she shouldn’t trust Tyburn too completely.

She gave him a pouty glare. Tyburn crossed his arms.

“Is that all your questioning done?”

“Looks like it.”

“Then let’s hear your wish. What do you want?”

“…Buy me a house—with three rooms and two bathrooms. Under my name!”

Lani’s eyes sparkled. She decided to think of it as getting her severance pay early.

Hyder would leave the mansion in three years.

“About two and a half years left now?”

She planned to disappear quietly before then.

“You owe me your life. That should be worth at least that much, right? Not in the capital, but somewhere further out… If it’s too expensive, two rooms are fine.”

Lani added nervously.

Tyburn grinned. Apparently, Hyder’s little fairy wasn’t very bold. Narrowing his eyes, he replied,

“I’ll get you a small estate with ten rooms and three bathrooms. In your name.”

“And secretly!”

“Of course. Do you need anything else? My life isn’t worth that little.”

The Kartieron family had amassed a great fortune by selling byproducts from monsters in the north. Something like this wouldn’t even dent his wealth.

“If there’s anything else…”

Lani swallowed. The way he asked made it hard to think. She started counting on her fingers, then spoke with a nervous face.

“Just… give me a little more time to think…”

“I’ll prepare something myself then. I should at least consider how much my life is worth. I’ll have the paperwork ready tomorrow—come to my room in secret. Three o’clock in the afternoon should be good. You can manage that, right?”

“Yes!”

Lani nodded enthusiastically.

“Then it’s my turn now! Lord Tyburn… you were poisoned. All I did was neutralize the toxin.”

At her words, Tyburn’s body stiffened slightly. Poison.

His eyes turned cold.

“…Thank you for telling me.”

“No need to mention it. I should get going now. If I’m away too long, it might raise suspicion.”

Lani left the room feeling refreshed, thrilled that her dream of owning a home was now within reach.

Tyburn watched her hurriedly retreating figure with a faint smile.

If a transcendent being like her was coveting worldly wealth, it must mean she had no plans of leaving anytime soon.

He remembered reading that legendary beings—spirits or fairies—often loved shiny treasures. Their nests were said to be filled with gemstones.

He’d better prepare things Lani might like.

With as much sincerity as possible.

Kiera assumed Tyburn was dead by now. The poison she had obtained was rare and potent. She had bribed all the attending physicians, and now all that was left was to declare his death.

She chose her most modest dress—one that looked the most proper—and kept her makeup minimal.

She planned to appear as mournful as possible.

Kiera signaled to the head maid.

Without knocking or waiting for permission, the head maid opened Tyburn’s bedroom door, and Kiera strode in confidently.

Her gaze went straight to the bed. She expected Tyburn to be lying there like a lifeless log.

“Tyburn.”

The icy voice made Kiera jolt and turn her head. Tyburn was sitting on the sofa, completely fine.

“F-Father!”

“Barging in without knocking, huh? Must mean you had something urgent to say.”

Tyburn said coldly. Kiera’s face turned pale.

“How… how is he still alive?”

He even looked healthier than before the poisoning. Kiera bit her lip. It was like something out of a horror story. Was Amy’s ghost really haunting this mansion?

Amy had loved Tyburn in her life.

She was the only one in Kartieron who didn’t discriminate against Hyder.

Kiera’s heart dropped. She clenched her fists.

Her plan had been to announce Tyburn’s death and mourn him publicly.

But now everything was ruined.

“I-I was just so worried since you were gravely ill… I’m really relieved to see you’ve recovered.”

She said in a trembling voice.

“I appreciate that, Kiera.”

Tyburn stood, his back to the early morning light. The backlight cast shadows over his face.

Kiera instinctively swallowed hard and stepped back.

Tyburn’s presence seemed to bear down on her.

“I must’ve worried everyone unnecessarily. Still, I plan to stay in the capital for a while. My health needs recovery. I’ll remain here for about a year. Is that alright?”

“I-I’m fine with it. But… will the north be okay? They need you there—especially with the monster issues…”

“It’ll be fine. At least for the next three years. In that time, I’ll find and train a successor to inherit my sword.”

Kiera clenched her fists tighter.

“What a cunning old snake.”

Judging by his expression, he definitely sensed something was off. He had never really liked her much, but now his gaze was even colder. Her clenched fists trembled slightly.

“The first time is hard. The next time will be easier.”

She just needed to use poison again.

And if he survived again, then she’d keep poisoning him—

Until he finally died.