Ⅳ
The Eastern, upper cabin, terrace.
Malinda sat in Arthur's chair, holding a cup of orange tea with double honey.
She took a small sip. As the sweet and tart flavor spread across her tongue, her gaze fell on the Lead Box on the table.
It was the one the Marquis of West Berlin had prepared.
After the Marquis of West Berlin's humiliating departure left it without an owner, she had taken it for her own use.
The fact that the Lead Box could contain the Lady of Pain surprised her a little.
What surprised her more, however, was Arthur's arrangement.
How did you know the Marquis of West Berlin would fail at the last hurdle, you rascal?
Or...
Was this all your doing?
As these thoughts ran through Malinda's mind, she tipped her head back slightly to look at the moon in the night sky.
Bright moonlight fell across her face. At once, her fair skin began to reflect the light, and her beautiful, delicate features took on a holiness they ordinarily lacked. Even her short golden hair carried a faint glow-not reflected light.
It was glowing on its own.
A trace of helplessness surfaced in her azure eyes.
Although she had balanced two utterly opposing powers through the properties of her bloodline and undead power, the power of holy light had still exceeded her expectations.
Overbearing, yet brimming with vitality.
A little like...
Arthur.
Yes, just like that rascal. As though he'd shone into my life like a ray of light.
No!
Knowing his nature, that rascal must have woven a web and waited for me to jump in.
Just like this time!
Malinda had clearly decided that all of this was Arthur's plan.
Then she continued down that line of thought.
*Since this is your plan, what