"My lord has recognized your talent in trade and commerce, it's SSS ranked, and he does not wish for your potential to be wasted."
Maris delivered the statement in an even tone; her posture was relaxed.
The words struck Emily with such force that she instinctively gasped.
Her fingers tightened against the fabric of her borrowed dress, and her widened eyes searched the masked woman's face as if hoping to detect any form of deception.
"How?" Emily whispered, unable to mask the disbelief in her voice.
Maris allowed a faint smile to curve beneath her mask. "The lord is omniscient. His perception and judgment extend beyond what we mortals can comprehend. The manner in which he sees the world is far beyond our capacity to measure. All we can do is serve beneath him and follow his direction."
These lines were not something William had told her to say; she was just adding them on her own judgment.
Emily's shock refused to fade away.
