Chapter-44 The Verdict

Frederique sat on the couch, tension thrumming under her skin as Eirlys stood across from her, perfectly composed. The pale Sidhe was a statue of icy precision, arms folded neatly behind her back, head slightly tilted in that way that made it impossible to read her.

Lira lingered nearby, perched on the armrest with a carefully neutral expression. The light-hearted mood from earlier was long gone, replaced by the quiet gravity of the debrief.

Frederique braced herself.

"You completed the mission," Eirlys began without preamble. Her voice was level, cold as ever, but not unkind. Just factual.

"The objective was to eliminate a threat to the Court, and you did so with efficiency. All targets were neutralized. No traces of the operation remain. The mission parameters have been fully satisfied."

Frederique nodded stiffly.

"I... see."

Eirlys continued, taking a single step closer.

"Your performance was satisfactory for a first solo operation. There were errors... hesitation, inefficiency at the start... but you adapted. You concluded the mission successfully. That is what matters in the end. Results."

No praise.

Just facts.

Frederique clenched her jaw but forced herself to keep listening.

"You are owed compensation for your service," Eirlys continued.

She retrieved a small leather pouch from her belt, the dark material worn but well-maintained. She loosened the string and tilted it just enough for the coins inside to clink together... a heavy, metallic sound.

Eirlys met Frederique's gaze.

"Six coins. All yours."

Frederique blinked.

"Six? I... don't understand. I thought missions had fixed rewards."

"They do. The breakdown is as follows."

Eirlys raised a single finger, her tone patient, as if lecturing a student.

"Killing a mundane human is worth half a coin. You dispatched five. That totals two and a half. Erasing a body is also half a coin. You completed all traces of disposal personally, accounting for an additional two and a half."

Frederique nodded slowly, the numbers making sense, though the weight of it pressed on her chest. It felt... clinical.

Eirlys paused.

"The Changeling. That was a bonus coin. The Courts reward closure in such cases. It was... efficient. Though unnecessary for the primary objective."

The words cut more than Frederique expected. The Changeling hadn't survived. And yet the Court saw it as a bonus... another reward for her tally.

Eirlys didn't seem to notice her discomfort. She placed the pouch of coins on the table between them.

"Six coins. All yours. Because you handled the entire mission alone."

Frederique stared at the pouch. It seemed... heavier than it should. Not just physically, but as a symbol.

"Wait," she muttered, frowning.

"What if this had been a team mission?"

Eirlys nodded, clearly expecting the question.

"Compensation is divided among all participating members based on contribution. On average, a four-member squad would split the standard reward evenly unless one individual bore the brunt of the work. In your case, this was entirely solo. Therefore, the full reward is yours. Such tasks are rare for newer recruits, but..."

She tilted her head.

"You were capable."

Capable.

Not impressive.

Not extraordinary.

Just capable.

Frederique swallowed back a bitter taste.

Lira shifted slightly, giving her a small, supportive smile from the corner of her eye.

Eirlys wasn't finished.

"You will find that payment in our line of work is not merely a reward, but a measure of personal value. The coin system ensures fairness in both risk and contribution. However," she paused, voice lowering just slightly, "it also serves as a reminder. Your worth to the Night Court is proven through your results. Do not mistake survival for success. The coin does not lie."

Frederique nodded stiffly.

"Understood."

"Good."

Eirlys turned to leave, the debrief seemingly complete. But just as she reached the door, she paused, glancing back.

"There is one more thing."

Frederique blinked.

"What?"

Eirlys' expression remained cold, but there was the faintest shift in her tone... something just slightly heavier than before.

"You showed restraint," she said.

"Control. That will serve you well in time. But you are a Redcap. There is a... unique expectation of you in the Shadow Corp. Hesitation, however brief, is a flaw. Control without purpose is as dangerous as recklessness."

Frederique frowned.

"I thought restraint was a strength. Isn't not losing control the goal?"

Eirlys shook her head.

"No. That is a mortal concept. Restraint for its own sake is weakness. Power restrained should be intentional, not passive. Fear of your own nature is unbecoming of what you are. You must learn to embrace it... on your terms, not let it fester beneath the surface."

Frederique's hands curled into fists.

"And how am I supposed to learn that?"

A pause.

Eirlys met her gaze fully now, her expression harder.

"You need guidance. Proper instruction on how to consume with purpose, not impulse. I suggest speaking with Lysandro. He specializes in such... appetites. And he understands what it means to be feared."

Frederique's stomach twisted at the name.

But part of her knew Eirlys was right. She couldn't keep pretending this hunger was something to suppress.

It had to be honed.

Frederique exhaled sharply, nodding.

"Fine. I'll speak with him."

Eirlys gave a satisfied nod, her pale hand resting briefly on the door handle.

"You've proven yourself, Frederique. But remember... you're only at the beginning. Welcome to the Shadow Corp."

And with that, she was gone, leaving Frederique alone with her thoughts.

Six coins. A pouch of blood price.

And a lesson she couldn't ignore any longer.

Lira, breaking the heavy silence, offered a half-smile.

"So... does this Lysandro guy give cooking lessons, or...?"

Frederique let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"Something like that."