"You do look stunning, though."
Hermia's cheeks reddened instantly. "I'm not mute," she said quickly, her voice just a little too high-pitched.
"Well, you were acting like it for a minute there. Care to tell me why?"
"Because I didn't want to argue with my employer," she replied, her words measured but her frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Niklaus tilted his head, his gaze sharp. "Is that all I am to you?"
Her eyes widened slightly at the audacity of the question. Is this man serious? She straightened her posture, determined to maintain her composure. "That is a rather suggestive question, Mr. Hathaway. I'd advise we keep this professional."
He smirked, clearly enjoying the verbal sparring.
"Also," she added, crossing her arms defensively, "you're not only my employer. You're my debtman."
Niklaus blinked, caught off guard. "That's not a word," he said, leaning forward slightly.