The mayor, oblivious to his daughter's reaction, nodded in agreement, seemingly relieved that I had a plan.
At least, that was how it looked like.
If not for the slight shake in his movements, once again.
Common folks were like that, especially those who were from the countryside. Many were not that proficient in hiding their expressions.
"That sounds like a wise course of action," he said.
The mayor, still recovering from the subtle slip in his demeanor, quickly masked his feelings, his expression settling back into the practiced neutrality of a man used to holding a position of authority. Celia, without another word, turned on her heel and left the room, her earlier bravado now tempered by a quiet, simmering tension that I didn't miss.
Once she was gone, the mayor turned back to me, his voice carefully controlled. "So, Mr. Natusalune, what do you plan to do next?"
