[Bonus chapter] Madman's Gambit - Part 25

I eyed Lada.

"Do you?" I hummed, eyes roving over her clavicle, partially exposed by her woolen dress. She hated dresses.

"Ugly is the most obnoxious person I've ever encountered, and I haven't even had the ill-luck to speak to him yet."

Her skin was not the fairest I've seen, by far, but her veins were shallow and rich blue. When she was impassioned by something – be it excitement or anger – her right jugular made itself known, as if her facial expressions were not testament enough to her emotion.

I flicked my gaze up to her bright hazel eyes, glaring at me with tenacity.

"And yet?" I prompted.

She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"And yet… you should not."

Then the damned alchemist got to her. Despite her acuity, she was easily swayed by him. She put an unprecedented amount of faith into his 'knowledge'. For her, getting over the fact that he was a Summerland priest was streamlined by his deep comprehension of the sciences.