"Lord Dawnoro, why did you call me here instead of sending your people to just remove me?"
August hadn't even welcomed her to sit. Hadn't offered her a chair, a drink, the basic courtesy owed to any guest in his home. And yet she simply began questioning him?
But it seemed he didn't need to welcome her at all. She had already turned, already chosen a seat for herself, and now she gestured for him to sit in front of her.
"Please."
This girl—
Acting like this in his own office? In his own keep?
"Who do you think you are?" August's voice was low, dangerous. His eyebrows dipped into a subtle scowl, the expression that had made grown men stammer and diplomats reconsider their positions.
Cecilia didn't flinch.
"I'm sure you already read about me." Her voice was calm, conversational. "My documents." She tilted her head slightly. "Is that why, instead of just removing me, you decided to make sure it wouldn't hurt you in the long run?"
August's jaw tightened.
