"I did not ask him to take care of her," Lucanis feels the need to clarify. This he had not done to his cousin, but Illario had done to himself, apparently... which Lucanis was greatful for.

"When I was ambushed by Venatori, they somehow convinced my family that I was dead. He decided to take care of her. I'm certain he could have found someone else to take her, he never liked snakes, but..."

But for the memory of his dead cousin, he did it anyway. Their relationship was a complicated one.

He looked down into his coffee again. He should take her back, but he worried she would not recognize him now, or that the lighthouse would be a terrible place for her. She was probably happier in Illario's care.