David gestured to the chair across from him with an air of casual authority. "Take a seat," he said, his voice steady as he reached for the small silver bell placed on the table beside him. He rang it once, the chime echoing through the room. He expected the ever-efficient maids to appear with breakfast at any moment.
His mind, however, was already working. This unexpected visit from Mariana presented an opportunity. She wasn't just another noble; she was Mariana Va Ironblade, sister to the Archon of Warfare and an important figure in Lysora County. If he failed in his efforts to save the Archon, forging an alliance with Mariana could be a crucial fallback.
Mariana, meanwhile, sat stiffly in the offered chair, her crimson eyes boring into David with a mix of curiosity and defiance. She broke the silence first, her voice sharp and direct. "So, what's the truth?"
