Lady Lyrith stood in the etiquette chamber like a cold pillar carved from marble, her back straight, chin lifted, every line of her gown smooth and immaculate.
Her eyes swept over Eliora with thinly veiled disdain.
"You are late," Lady Lyrith said, even though Eliora was not.
"My apologies," Eliora replied calmly.
Lyrith circled her slowly, like an inspector assessing a flawed piece of art.
"To think the King would be bonded with a human, one would expect at least some .....refinement."
Eliora's lips pressed into a thin line, but she held her silence.
Lyrith clicked her tongue.
"And that posture… abysmal. Humans truly are limited creatures."
Another jab. Eliora inhaled deeply.
Lyrith stopped in front of her. "If you wish to embarrass His Majesty every time you walk beside him, then by all means, continue just like..."
"That's enough." The words escaped Eliora before she could stop them.
Lady Lyrith blinked, startled.
