Lucian let out a long, weary sigh. He raised a hand in the air.
Immediately, the circle of knights bowed and marched away, leaving the four of us alone in the private shade of the umbrella hut.
Lucian sat down, crossing his legs. Kaelen moved silently, pulling out chairs for Elena and me before picking up the teapot. The sound of porcelain clinking was the only noise as he poured steaming tea for his master.
"Elena," Lucian said, his voice flat. "You are no longer a child. Learn to govern your tongue."
Elena bit her lip, looking down at her lap.
Then, Lucian turned his cold gaze to me.
"And you. You should have known better."
He took a sip of the tea Kaelen slid toward him.
"Did you really think I would leave vital documents lying on a desk for anyone to grab? Or that I am careless enough to leave my research exposed?"
He set the cup down with a soft clink.
