As Shade spoke, he turned slightly to look out the carriage window at Tobesk's early spring night. The dim yellow glow of gas lamps along the street swept past the side of the carriage.
"Galina, if that Earl were to have a small accident locally, would it affect the negotiations?"
"Of course. It would cause diplomatic problems, but it would be fine if it didn't happen locally."
Shade nodded.
"I understand."
Miss Galina looked at his thoughtful expression and added:
"This is the first time I've seen you actively plotting something bad. In my opinion, you're the sort of person who doesn't care much about the law but places great importance on morality."
Shade continued looking out the window.
"I've never considered myself a good person in the traditional sense, so I can afford to have more flexible moral boundaries. I've done plenty of bad things, and I'm especially good at breaking into houses. Besides, my heart isn't made of stone. Isn't it perfectly normal to get angry over certain things and hate or dislike someone? I read an interesting love story in Randall River Valley, and it made me understand that one should cherish the people one loves. Don't worry, I won't kill someone over such a trivial matter. But since that Earl isn't a good person himself, and I've been rather idle lately, I might as well find something to do."
The beautiful witch bit her lower lip.
"Does this count as being jealous and fighting over me?"
Shade turned to her and blinked.
"Since you and I have already made further progress in our relationship, of course I'd be jealous and fight over you. Just like in those courtly romance novels—if you wanted me to duel someone for you, I wouldn't refuse."
"I never expected you to