Daphne felt a momentary jolt of surprise at the list of powerful men. She had no doubt she could handle this, her training had prepared her for far more difficult conversations than this. This was her element.
A different kind of fury burned in the Empress. She stood fuming, her turquoise gown a beautiful prison. She knew what this test meant. She could charm the Emperor and the other nobles with her status as the Empress, but the General would remain impassive.
He had always been the one man she could not manipulate. She knew her already ruined reputation would worsen if she was publicly dismissed by him. To avoid this disgrace momentarily, she moved first, heading directly for the Emperor.
As the bell rang, Daphne walked toward her first conversation partner, Lieutenant Marcus, who was standing to the side. He was a handsome man with a friendly face.
As she approached, he gave her a nod and a polite smile that was a little too warm.
