Harren was already in the receiving hall when I entered, positioned where he could observe the doors and the length of the room without turning his head. He had chosen the place carefully, as expected, and he did not move until I closed the distance.
"Your Grace," he said, inclining his head with measured respect.
"Lord Harren."
I stopped at a distance that allowed no familiarity and no advantage. The staff remained present at the edges of the room, far enough to grant privacy, close enough to witness if required. Nothing about the setting was accidental.
Harren's gaze rested on me for a moment before he spoke again. "I assume my letter reached its intended recipient."
"It did."
"And he has read it."
"Yes."
He accepted that answer without pressing for more. That restraint was deliberate. He was measuring the response before choosing his next step.
"I would prefer to speak with him directly," Harren said.
"You won't."
