"Thespians!" Athena was the first to become alerted by the Grand Duke's assertion as she at once tilted her head to observe him critically.
"I am sorry, old man but are you by chance referring to me in an insubordinate manner by proclaiming that word?" Athena's powerful gaze on the man after speaking, was even more aggressive than the tone she had just addressed him in. Yet, the Grand Duke kept his calm; purposely decided on saying nothing else in a hurry while he leant his entire weight against the wall.
Aldrich, who was listening, at once understood that the Grand Duke had started out his talk purposely to get on his mother's nerves as much as his and even though the man was not wrong about speculating him and his mother to be skilled actors, it was still ego-demeaning to have the lesser subjects in their midst, bear a witness to such downgrade of the Queen's person. Still, Aldrich decidedly chose not to involve himself in the hailstorm which was slowly erupting.
