Deals Written in Blood and Silk
Lane who had left the Redcliffe estate walked through the dim streets of Fantom City with steady steps, her expression as calm as ever—but inside, her thoughts were anything but still.
She already knew the truth.
No matter how strong she was… no matter how many she could defeat…
Negotiation was not her strength.
The Redcliffe family had only bent because she forced them to look into the abyss.
But not every fallen noble would respond the same way.
Some would resist.
Some would provoke.
Some… would need something else.
Lane's fingers tightened slightly at her side.
I can't do this alone.
The realization came quietly, without pride, without resistance.
She didn't want to admit it.
Didn't want to rely on her.
But in the end—
She turned.
And walked toward the Northern District.
—
The air there felt different.
Heavier.
Warmer.
Alive with whispers, deals, and sins hidden behind velvet curtains.
And at the center of it all—
Brinda.
