Eli rolled her eyes, "And how, precisely, did we humiliate him?" she replied, lifting her chin. "He was the one who brought such disgrace upon himself. We were mere spectators." and she smiled, a small harmless smile.
Hearing that when the dukes' lashes fluturred open, he couldn't hide the hint of anger that crossed his features for a fleeting moment, seeing that Eli finally relented after letting out a sigh. "Lord Baldwin has been harassing our maids."
Instantly the anger in him melted, as he stood there with wide eyes, "Harassing…?" Then, almost immediately, his gaze dropped in shame. "Princess, I… I beg your pardon. I should not have questioned you so sharply. Had I known such a vile thing was occurring under your roof, I would never have uttered a word of reproach."
"Oh! No, no, my lord...you did nothing wrong. You could not have known. That sly bast—, I mean, that noble was far too cunning for anyone to notice."
