Makira immediately straightened up on the sofa, her golden eyes widening.
"Now that your father has died of illness… it's not certain that your brother Frederick won't take the opportunity to kill you. You know him, he has always hated you."
Alicia remained calm, but her fingers tightened slightly on her dress.
"I have to try to convince him to leave us alone. Me and my family. I cannot live forever in fear that he will act against us."
Makira clenched her teeth, her jaw muscles bulging under the skin.
"Why did you even get involved with that bastard Addams in the first place? You deserved better than a second-rate count."
Alicia lowered her eyes slightly toward her hands, then answered calmly, in a composed voice:
"There are two great grimoires in this world. You know that."
Makira said nothing, attentive, crossing her muscular arms.
