A dangerous glint flashed across Scorpius Hussein's eyes. His right hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly, as if he was planning on teaching the defiant young girl a lesson. But, a few seconds later, he just gave her a hypocritical smile and shrugged, "I apologize, Emily. You might not know, there were some annoying minor problems in my territory recently. Although it's been basically resolved, it's still rather vexing. Please forgive me!"
"I..."
The young Crystal Wolf Duke was about to say something when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of the weariness and helplessness in Emperor Clive Bresin's eyes. As if hiding her intentions and acting nonchalantly, she nodded slightly at Clive and then turned to Scorpius with a smile, "I was just joking, Uncle Scorpius."
Then she walked over to the long table and sat down on the only empty seat.
