The moment the man said “Venomine plans to hurt you,” Edmund and I exchanged a look. The ragged man collapsed on the ground, begging us to speak with Irene.

So far, I’d been gathering information on Piersen and Federinne’s plot—but I still didn’t know exactly how they planned to harm me, or how they’d stolen my power. They could be luring me into a trap—but I had a strong feeling we shouldn’t let this man go. If he truly knew their plan, his information could be vital.

I looked closely at the man through the window. He didn’t look like a former servant of Venomine. His face was unfamiliar. No new servants had arrived at Venomine’s household, so he likely wasn’t theirs.

It seemed more likely he had the method to transfer abilities and had been involved with Piersen and Federinne.

“Edmund… I think I need to go out there.”

Edmund gripped my hand and looked worried.
“Irene, what if he’s dangerous? I’ll go with you.”

I nodded and stepped outside with him. We brought the man inside the front gates. He was so weak we couldn’t just question him at the doorway, so with two knights, we moved him to the nearest reception room and asked him to close his eyes for privacy.

“It’s fine if you cover your eyes or tie your hands,” I offered, but he shook his head.

“No…” He bowed low on the floor. “Mas…ke your food. I don’t deserve to eat it.”

He apologized for breaking the window to get our attention. He’d tried begging at the gate, but guards thought he was crazy. So he threw a stone to break it.

“Please, have some food or water,” Edmund tried again.
He still refused. Trembling, he bowed his head and said:

“I can’t look Lady Irene in the eye. I’ve done something unforgivable.”

That’s when he spoke at last:

“I was hired by Piersen Venomine and Federinne Venomine to steal your power, Lady Irene.”

The Man’s Name: Hans Rilow

• A struggling street fortune-teller.
• He has a secret: the power to transfer someone’s ability to another.

Hans kept this hidden because authorities disfavored such powers. But during a severe famine, he secretly offered his service to a noble family’s maid:

Instructions: bring something belonging to the target (like hair). Hans would extract the second son’s ability and give it to the first son. The second son lost his power, and the first son became heir. Hans took the money and left.

Later, the Duchess of Venomine hired him to transfer Irene’s power to Piersen. Hans received red vials of their blood as conduits to help channel those powers. He warned the Duchess the transfer might not be permanent—strong powers might return to their original owner. She demanded he continue until it worked.

He worked on it for years, gradually transferring Irene’s power to Piersen. Just before the official naming ceremony, he moved the last of it. But as he did, he heard a voice like thunder:

“How dare you!”

He felt a blinding flash, fell terrified… and then reopened his eyes to see Federinne’s furious face.

Despite the voice, he continued the transfer—but as soon as he was done, Irene’s power began returning to her.

Hans panicked—he fled, fearing punishment or death from Venomine if they learned the power was returning. Now, weakened and hunted, he fled across town and came directly to us.

“What brings you here, Hans?” I asked calmly.

He looked down, blinking tears under a tangled bandage.

“I realize I was just a tool for your enemies. I didn’t know how powerful your power connected with you. I’m sorry.”

He hesitated—and blood began to trickle through his bandage.