Shady

Lia blinked, stunned. “He adopted a slave ?”

Lia didn’t particularly want to go, either. But she wasn’t allowed to have feelings. She knew that. Father knew that. Surely the General knew that, too? Still. “I’m quite looking ...

“What a good argument in favor of not setting fires,” she said dryly.

Rana could tell Lia was more hurt than she was letting on, and stepped forward to give her an awkward hug. Neither of them enjoyed it. But it gave her ...

Rana felt awkward being the only one sitting and stood up, also looking at her sister in concern. “Yes, sir.” Lia shuffled forward doing her absolute best not to limp, ...

“…um…” Lia came through the door breathlessly, blushing profusely as she wobbled into a hasty curtsy. “Sorry I’m late.” She seemed to be favoring her left ankle.

(Not me, forgetting about her lol) “…that’s true.” Rana glanced at the door, now a little concerned. It wasn’t like Lia not to be absolutely perfect. What had happened?

“Uh…” she froze, staring at him. “…I’m not sure, I haven’t seen her… would you like me to go look for her?”

“I’m not stupid,” she scoffed, looking at him sourly.

Rana nodded. Perhaps she’d like them, then. And they’d bookend the asshole. So that was nice she guessed.

That was rich. Her father — of all people — complaining about people getting too cocky. “…who will we visit first, sir?” Best to flatter in front of an audience.

Rana glanced between them. Why was her father so stupid? That seemed clear what the right answer here was. Why deal with a brute like Tarr if he didn’t have ...

Rana blinked at that. “Which one?”

“Yes ma’am.” Rana resisted the urge to send an annoyed glance at her father. “…hopefully we will be well-received.”

“Very well, thank you.” Rana dipped her head and sat down next to her father, on the other side of the couch, out of easy arm’s reach.