"Hope's better than nothing," commented Capet. "My lord, I-"<br/><br/>"Heal him? If she can bring the dead back to life, then I'll fucking-"<br/><br/>Beneath the notice of everyone, another person came into the room. "Sis, I'm not dead yet."<br/><br/>Ashton tugged her sword away from Amaya, looking at the newcomer. "Roy," she gasped.<br/><br/>"Ash, don't be such a pessimist," Roy said with a smile. He seemed to sway where he stood, but tried not to draw attention to it. "I can say that I want to live. And if Aris can do this little miracle, it can save two lives."<br/><br/>Ashton looked down, dropping her sword onto the carpet. Fear and doubt gripped her heart, things she did not feel ever since she became a knight.<br/><br/>------<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">The mansion in Genoa</span><br/><br/>Dandolo looked to the air as Aris tried to take flight, a smile spreading across his face. The girl, silhouetted by the bright candlelight from the chandeliers above them, felt like a god-sent blessing.<br/><br/>"A blessing of money," he whispered joyfully to himself.<br/><br/>The Doge got up from his seat, carrying himself with nobility as he walked towards Aris. "Dear girl. What is your name? Are there more of you?" he asked. His voice sounded like a serpent had crawled around the angel and threatened to strangle her with a smile.