Lorenzo
The skeleton tilted his head, as if confused by the boy's reaction. "Huh? Ah, that's kinda obvious. Did you seriously not realize until now?"
He brushed the boy's hand to the side and shrugged, speaking dramatically but straight to the point. His tone was harsh, but it was far from unkind. If anything, it was patient, much like a teacher's.
"Think about it for a second. If she died, that would be it, the end of the line. There would be nothing to lose, but we wouldn't gain anything either. Capturing her was ideal, but even then, what good would come from that? Bring a chained bird over to our side? Or do you suggest we should torture her for information? If someone captured you like that, would you not do everything in your power to bring them down, even at the cost of your life? Why, I'd bite my own tongue off and commit suicide on the spot."
His nature was revealed this instant, displaying a fealty as ardent as hell itself. He did not care about orders or the like, his thoughts weren't that of some cur who would blindly follow. Seeing that the current situation would be disadvantageous, he chose his cards to grant his master the greatest advantage. In that sense, his treason was as great as his loyalty was absolute. Though he'd be lying if he didn't admit there was... personal bias involved in this decision.
Ah, this made him quite a liar after all, didn't it?
"You can whip a beast or chain a man, but you can't control someone's heart that way. If you expect results, offer spoils worthy of recompense. Give her an empty victory, so that her doubts and unfulfilled debt may bind us closer than any chain, and bind her to our dear master in turn. That is how you win hearts, do you understand, Mason?"