Arjan's disbelief

Arjan went silent for a moment....

She was thoroughly shocked...

How couldn't she? Her sister, a weak girl suddenly become like this?

After the moment of pause seraphina continued.

"You know perfectly well that our sisterly relations aren't close enough to bring up such private stories, so let's just stop there. Isn't there another reason why you have come to see me—plus the Duke and the others as well?"

Seraphina's gaze was piercing, her eyes locking onto Arjan's with a determination that brooked no argument.

Arjan clicked her tongue, her frustration barely concealed.

"That's right. My father said this: 'A huge fine suddenly fell on the county,' and he kept saying it was the work of the Duke of Everwyn himself."

...