The Marchioness' words struck Fenric like a splash of cold water.
Not because they carried malice or threat, but because they carried nothing at all.
He knew that kind of answer.
Years on the road had taught him to recognize it. Lords who played at generosity. Officials who dodged responsibility. Merchants who offered blank promises before hearing the price.
This, however, was different.
"I would like to hear what you bring and judge what is fair."
The words were simple. Reasonable ones.
Yet Fenric recognized the trap the moment he heard them. She offered no promise. No compensation. Not even the assurance that his request would be considered. She would simply listen.
His shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly. Breaking courtesy, he allowed his gaze to linger on the Marchioness a heartbeat longer than was proper.
'Ah. So… she had been listening all along,' he said inwardly to himself.
