Deliberately, he wiped the blood off his hands onto his pants, grabbed a bottle of liquor, and took a swig. Lucienne replied with a composed expression.

“I want to find out who killed her.”

Tom’s bearded mouth twisted into a crooked smile. Beneath his lips, sharp, animal-like fangs glinted.

“Doesn’t seem like a conversation to have outside. If you have the guts, come inside.”

Tom, who had set down his knife, strode into the interior of the shop. Though it was still afternoon, the space he entered was as dark as a cave. It exuded an ominous air, as if a massive snake lay coiled inside, waiting for prey. I stared at the slabs of meat hanging from the ceiling, swaying and creaking, then touched the hard object inside my coat once before stepping forward.

The place where Tom stood was a small room within the shop. It appeared to be where he lived; blankets and clothes were strewn carelessly on the floor, and a musty smell permeated the air. He didn’t seem like the type to bother with ventilation.

“You want to find out who killed Laurel? You sound like you already know the culprit.”

“And you?”

Tom, who had been circling me slowly, let out a chuckle.

“I know. Lucienne Bickman. A devilish young lady who, despite being a maid herself, looks down on others. They say she has these cold, gray eyes……”

Suddenly, he reached out and roughly snatched my hat. My hair, which had been tucked inside, cascaded down as it unraveled. Whistling softly, Tom muttered.

“And that silver hair, like an ice queen.”

Under his sharp gaze, I straightened my back and clasped my hands in front of me.

“Are you willing to share what you know?”

At my bold question, which showed no sign of intimidation, Tom frowned and stepped closer. The stench of blood was overwhelming, but I didn’t retreat. After living with Mrs. Vino for five years, a smell like this was nothing.

Tom spoke in a low, threatening tone, as if to intimidate me.

“Look, there are knives here, there’s blood, and there’s death. Aren’t you afraid, Miss?”

“Are you threatening to kill me?”

I met his gaze calmly and replied.

“If you were the type to use that knife on people whenever you felt like it, this street would’ve been deserted long ago. And besides……”

“……”

“I respect a butcher. So I’d rather you not tarnish the dignity of someone who does their job with respect. Especially if you’ve ever been unfairly treated due to prejudice.”

Tom looked as if someone had just smacked him on the back of the head. His mouth opened and closed in disbelief.

“What? You respect who? A butcher? The lowest of the low? Are you out of your mind?”

“You have no reason to kill me. At least not right now. So stop wasting time with empty threats. I’m here to make a deal.”

My hands were trembling slightly, but thankfully it wasn’t enough to notice. The best course of action was to wrap this up quickly before my nerves gave me away.

Tom stared at me like he was seeing a creature he’d never encountered before, then let out a dry laugh.

“You’re one hell of a lady. Fascinating. So, what are you offering in exchange? I doubt you’ll try the same method as Laurel. Pretty dolls aren’t my type.”

“How about money? I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like money.”

Tom, who had been smirking with his arms crossed, suddenly froze. His face twisted as if he’d been insulted, and he raised his voice.

“You think I’d move for some pocket change you brought……”

I threw the pouch from my coat. I’d misjudged the force, and it hit him square in the face before clinking to the ground. Tom quickly caught it, glaring at me as if I’d done it on purpose, but his gaze soon shifted to the pouch, which was noticeably heavy.

“Give me the best cut.”

When I spoke abruptly, Tom, who had been counting the coins with a blissful expression, snapped his head up.

“What?”

“If I like the cut, I’ll give you another pouch.”

I stared at him, and he seemed to grasp my meaning. A sly grin spread across his face as he fondled the pouch.

“So you’ve got another one of these in your coat? Seems like there’s an easier way to get it.”

“Really? Is it easier?”

Without hesitation, I pulled out the object I’d been hiding in my coat. The sharp sound of steel sliding out of its sheath cut through the air, sending a pleasant chill down my spine. Even in the dim light, the blade gleamed. Tom froze and instinctively stepped back. I adjusted my grip on the hilt and added.

“I don’t plan to go down quietly, and there will be a commotion one way or another. Is what you know worth it?”

Tom’s jaw dropped. If it became known that he’d harmed or killed a noblewoman, he’d be sentenced to death immediately. Worse, if the Bickman family got their hands on him, his body would never be found.

As if he’d never intended to harm me in the first place, Tom shook his head and raised his hands in surrender.

“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. You’d make a fine butcher.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Ha. You’re probably the only one who’d take that as a compliment. Still, I’m not mad about it.”

Tom let out a hearty laugh, scratched the back of his neck, and began to speak.

“Laurel was very interested in a gathering I attend. Or rather, in the people who come to that gathering.”

“Fatura?”

When I asked, Tom’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Not exactly the kind of name a noble lady would know.”

“Laurel told me about it, that there was such a meeting. So?”

I brushed off his surprise, and he seemed to think I didn’t fully understand the implications. He continued.

“She wanted to know about the merchants who mingled with Nina at that gathering. So I gave her a few names. I didn’t like Nina much myself. She acted like she was nobility, demanding the service of every man around her. She’s insane, that woman. Of course, no one at that gathering is sane.”

“Tell me those names.”

I pulled out another pouch. Though his eyes followed it, Tom scratched his temple with a reluctant expression.

“I can tell you, but it seems like Laurel died because of those names. Are you planning to follow the same path? I’ve been losing sleep ever since I heard the news, thinking I shouldn’t have gotten involved.”

“I don’t think I’ll sleep well until I uncover the truth.”

When I met his gaze unwaveringly, Tom let out a long sigh before finally listing three names. I memorized them carefully and tossed the pouch to him. This time, there was no misunderstanding.

“Thanks. Oh, and send the best cut to the estate.”

As I walked toward the entrance, I added. Tom blinked.

“……What cut? You mean meat?”

“Why else would I buy from a butcher? It’d be shameless to take this much money just for a few words, don’t you think?”

“Well……”

Tom looked as if he’d been hit over the head again, his mouth hanging open. I smiled faintly.

“If your skills are good, I’ll come back.”

Tom let out a laugh mixed with a sigh, then called out to me as I headed toward the exit.

“Be careful. I kind of like you, Miss. I don’t want to hear you’ve died!”

I glanced back and flashed my dagger. He burst out laughing. The dark alley that had seemed so ominous when I entered no longer felt the same.

The reason I didn’t notice the footsteps creeping up behind me was probably because I was too focused on repeating those names in my head. Or maybe I’d let my guard down because Tom had been more cooperative than expected.

As I walked toward the main street where light reached, a hand suddenly clamped over my mouth from behind. I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

“Keep quiet, Miss, if you don’t want things to get ugly.”

A rough, metallic voice slithered into my ear like a slippery fish. The damp cloth covering my mouth reeked of a sharp, acrid smell. As I struggled and gasped, the pungent scent filled my lungs, making my head throb as if it were splitting apart.

Only then did I realize I shouldn’t have inhaled the scent, but it was too late. My strength drained from my body, and the world began to spin. As I sagged to the ground, the man looked around and hoisted me up.

Who is it? Who could it be?

I tried to focus my blurred vision. Through the haze, I caught a glimpse of the man’s distorted face.

His pale complexion and well-balanced features stood out, like an actor adorned in stage makeup. He was strikingly handsome, almost unnaturally so, like someone from the theater.

Something was on the verge of coming to mind, but before I could grasp it, the world turned pitch black, as if night had suddenly fallen. I lost consciousness.