All The Abuse And Hate

"There's no much harm in it, Alaric. We should go."

He turned to her with a frown. "You can't be serious."

She met his gaze, her expression unreadable but firm. "I am. If they've summoned us, ignoring it would only cause more trouble. We're leaving the capital soon anyway. Let's not add unnecessary tension before we go."

Alaric clenched his jaw, clearly reluctant. "And if it's another opportunity for them to throw veiled insults at you? If Lilian opens her mouth again—"

Salviana sighed. "Then we handle it as we always do. With grace."

Jean snorted. "You mean, Salviana handles it with grace while Alaric makes threats?"

Lucius smirked again. "Sounds about right."

Alaric crossed his arms but didn't argue further. "Fine. But if one of them so much as breathes the wrong way, I am leaving."

Salviana rolled her eyes. "Duly noted, my love."