Zara Astranai smiled as she greeted the nobleman standing before her.
He stared for a moment too long, then coughed. His wife nudged him from the side and he adjusted himself a little embarrassed for his blunder.
"Forgive me - ahem... I was caught off guard by your beauty, Lady Zara. I'm certain you will be every bit as charming as the Duchess your mother when you're older."
"Thank you," Zara replied, her tone warm on the surface and entirely empty underneath.
She had heard variations of this compliment so many times since turning thirteen that it had ceased to land as anything at all.
Her charms had started drawing attention around that age , the attention she had never asked for and had learned to receive without expression.
Maria stood at her side, guiding each guest onward after their greeting. Several more came through. Several more said the same things in different arrangements.
