That was the real source of her confidence, but it was naturally not something she could reveal to anyone.
Romario studied her with his sharpest gaze, genuinely surprised by her unwavering determination. Although he had yet to give her an explicit answer, Lina could already discern a subtle change in his expression. The bishop was clearly beginning to take her seriously, and perhaps even to admire her.
After that, the two began circling around the same questions from different angles, testing each other's limits and trying to determine what conditions and concessions would be necessary to reach an agreement. Neither was willing to reveal everything at once, and both understood that the other was an experienced political player who would not be easily deceived. They spent at least half an hour carefully probing one another before finally reaching a preliminary understanding.
