"Did you just say secretary?"
Chills ran down Kel's spine at the man's icy tone.
"Are you not then?" she quavered, confused by his unexpected reaction. She wondered if she'd just unknowingly stepped on a land mine.
"I guess it looks that way," Ira groaned. He removed the spectacles from his face with one hand and pinched the bridge of his nose with the other as if he was deep in thought.
"Forget an entire empire's finances! And who has time to worry about historical records and military reports!" the man shouted.
Kel jolted at the sudden outburst. Ira had gone from irritated to unhinged in a matter of seconds.
By asking such an innocent-seeming question, Kel had indeed set off a land mine.
"I suppose all I am is a glorified personal secretary! Ordering dresses and everything!" Ira snorted before breaking into a fit of ironic laughter. He pounded the desk a few times before letting out a slow breath and carefully replacing his glasses.
