"You have a duel with him today too, don't you? What was the bet you two made again?"
Maria stiffened.
She paused, clearly debating how much to reveal. But then she exhaled and answered with practiced nonchalance.
"If he lost, I'd get the right to use his body."
She shrugged.
"I planned to crush his bones into powder and have them made into a stepping stone outside the Grave family manor."
She said it flatly, like it was a line rehearsed, meant to impress.
But when her mother gave her a slightly raised eyebrow half questioning, half judging Maria quickly added,
"He disrespected our family," she added quickly, voice sharper. "That was the only answer he deserved."
Her mother didn't comment on the cruelty. Her silence said enough.
Instead, she asked, almost idly:
"And if he wins?"
Maria froze.
Her eyes flicked away. Her lips parted, but she didn't speak. Instead, she just… closed her mouth. Her jaw clenched.
"If he wins, I'll be his bitch."
