For a few passing seconds Heidi felt the time stop still. The cold wind of the empire which she was yet to be accustomed to blew across the garden where they stood. She continued to look at the lord while he returned back the stare.
She was sure she didn't mishear it, especially when the Lord had spoken very clearly which her ears had picked to without a problem. She searched his eyes and face for any humor but it was difficult to pick any emotion out. Not because he had an impassive expression. The man usually wore the same expression, calm and serene with a smile on his handsome face. She sometimes wondered if this was who he was or if it was a facade he had built for people to see. His smile seemed sincere but that didn't mean she hadn't seen the tricking smile that had disappeared with the same quickness it had appeared previously on his lips.
