judge

I'm back.

...Luna? Are you there?

There's no response from inside the room, but Lavinia looks around and finds who she's looking for at the desk in the corner.

The table is stacked with books that have been read, and sleeping at the center of the books is the girl hunched over at the desk.

Papà...

Luna.

Hmm... Huh?

Sorry, did I wake you?

I... fell asleep?

You sure did.

I finished this book today, Lavinia.

I read the notes you wrote in it, and left my own comments too.

That's amazing. It took me a month to get through that one when I was a student, but you only took a week.

I thought I may as well study at home since I don't have a school to go to anymore.

I'm sorry... The new city still needs some time to sort out its resources, particularly education.

I'll make sure you get enrolled in a new one as soon as I can.

It's not your fault.

After what padre did, I didn't want to go to that school anymore anyway.

I should be thanking you instead, Lavinia. For taking me in.

I promised him I would. Besides, there's no way I could just watch Segretario Rubio's daughter live out on the streets.

...Actually, I don't care if I can't go back to school.

I mean, everyone already knows I'm his daughter.

...You had a long study session. You should take a break. I'll make dinner.

It's fine, I'm not tired. I'll help you out.

...Do you know why I know how to cook?

Why?

Padre used to do two things as Segretario di Sicurezza Alimentare. Walk around the markets, and cook for the famiglie.

When he cooked for the famiglie, he usually had to keep his guests company so he couldn't cook for me and mamma.

Mamma didn't like to cook, so he taught me how.

And I was usually the one who made our meals.

I used to scold padre in my head whenever I cooked.

I still do.

The kitchen knife streaks across the moist scallions as it makes contact with the chopping board.

Stupid idiot... Why did he have to do that...

Are you still unwilling to forgive him?

Does it matter? He's not coming back anyways.

...It's alright, Luna.

I'll be with you.

Sorry... I... I... don't know.

...We'll visit Famiglia Saluzzo tomorrow and put an end to this.

You are his daughter, so legally you have the right to do this.

Though I won't force you to go if you don't want to.

...I'm going.

Padre was stupid, but I'd feel bad letting the Saluzzos keep his body.

You want a proper end to this whole thing too, right?

Whatever our reasons may be, the Saluzzos still owe us an explanation.

The famous magnanimous judge of Volsinii is gracing us with a visit today?

I thought I'd find Don Alberto here.

The Don is no longer in Volsinii.

But he did expect someone to come asking for Rubio's body, so he specially instructed us to offer you our hospitality.

Though I didn't think you'd bring little Luna along.

...I've seen you before. You used to work under mio padre.

You remember me? Wonderful. Just call me Teresa.

So you're part of the Saluzzos?

Yes, and it was no secret to Rubio.

Don't worry, Signorina Lavinia. The Don emphasized that we must wrap this matter up nicely.

Do you think it's 'nice' for us to have to personally knock on your door to get Segretario Rubio's body?

How could you say that?

His death was extremely troublesome for us, you know.

Oh, my apologies, dear. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

He was a very friendly boss to work under; everyone thought so. We were all upset by his death as well.

We didn't come here to talk about this.

But Your Honor, wouldn't you agree with me?

His speech may have been quite moving, and even today I can still hear that gunshot going off.

But... it's been a while since then, and nothing has changed.

It seems to me everything's the same as ever.

The only thing that's different is a child lost her father.

Have you been well, dear?

...Lavinia takes good care of me.

Good, good to hear.

However, Her Honor is a VIP in our new city with many affairs to tend to, so I don't see her having free time to play with you.

*sigh* How callous of your father. To throw you away along with his own life, all for nothing.

You think padre died for nothing?

I don't want to lie to you.

Let's say we hand over the reins of the new city to that Bellone boy and our dear judge here. What could they possibly achieve?

Your Honor, do you truly believe you can build a city free of the famiglie?

We did not come here to debate with you, Signorina Teresa. Only to retrieve her father's body.

Of course, of course.

Bring them both to Rubio's remains.

Come with me, you two.

Don't let her get to you, Luna.

She's just trying to provoke us.

Can you really say that, Signorina?

Shouldn't you know better than anyone the weight of what she was saying?

It doesn't matter what you or Signor Leontuzzo think of your own capabilities. Your goals just seem so ridiculous.

You can't possibly think to defeat the famiglie with a slogan or two. Or do you really think Signora Sicilia likes you <i>that</i> much?

You think padre died for nothing?

I don't want to lie to you.

Let's say we hand over the reins of the new city to that Bellone boy and our dear judge here. What could they possibly achieve?

Your Honor, do you truly believe you can build a city free of the famiglie?

(Muttering) I'm sorry, Lavinia.

Of course you wouldn't understand. 'Fairness' is not a word in a mafioso's dictionary.

We may have to borrow Signora Sicilia's power for now, but we will prove to her that we won't need it forever.

Bold words, but the girl doesn't seem to agree.

Luna...

Luna?

Where is she?!

Kill some time with us, Signorina.

WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!

Oh, don't get the wrong idea. We didn't touch her; she left you on her own.