act21side

Uh... I'd like to ask a favor of you, Lavinia.

You're still a judge, right?

Yes.

Perfect.

Back in school, I never took you seriously... My grades weren't any worse than yours, so how did you get an appointment so quickly?

Later on, I heard them say... You're actually supported by a famiglia. A big one too. Turns out, it was the Bellones!

So I was thinking to myself, hah... Of course. That's the only way you could've become such a powerful judge. Hmph.

What's your point?

I'm too scared.

Of what?

You leaned on your connections to become a judge. So I thought to myself, why couldn't I do that too?

But when those guys, those wise guys came up to me...

I was scared half to death. Barely a second passed, and I already had to give up talking to them.

The Code of Law in my hand was just an ordinary book. Actually, it wasn't even as good as a book, considering I've knocked a cazzo in the head with a notebook before. But when I saw those wise guys, I couldn't even muster the courage to open my mouth.

Forget the whole justice thing... What the hell is that even? They're obviously criminals, but if they ever asked me to do them a favor in prison or even in court, I'd never be able to refuse.

The backing of a famiglia... I'd be lying if I said I didn't have anyone backing me. But, it's not like that's a good thing either.

Maybe... I never should've listened to him in the first place—

I know... You've actually been doing things your own way. You're much braver than me, Lavinia.

Also, I heard that Bortolotti is dead, right?

His hand brushes against Lavinia's codex, the thorns around it pricking his fingers and leaving spots of blood behind.

You're all much braver than me...