I'm not rushing to judgment, I'm honing my instincts

"Father!" Lyov's tone was sharp. His eyes narrowed. "That's an incredibly crass question."

"Hardly." His father replied. His expression did not change, his face remained a stiff mask, but the tone of his voice changed to become even harsher.

"You're a Perlmann. Your family has always produced a healthy heir for our line, and now, you can't even answer the most simple question? How do you expect to produce a proper heir, when you're one of a herd of-"

"That is enough." Lyov's words cut through the man's speech.

"I will not sit and listen to this kind of behavior. Not only are you insulting the empress with your words and your conduct, you're insulting your kingdom. And the name of Perlmann. You shame us with such brazenness toward our empress."

"Do I?" The man hummed. His voice and tone sounded almost as if he felt that Lyov had fallen for some kind of trap he set - though she couldn't imagine what it could possibly have been.