Shady

“O-oh we’d never ask for something like that, ma’am.” Talia shook her head quickly. “Thank you. But that… that’s not… that’s okay. Thank you.”

“Oh, we’re just going to look, ma’am.” As if she had money.

Talia nodded. She was going to be exceedingly careful around them all regardless.

“Oh my… that’s a lot of nobles all at once…”

“Oh…” she nodded. “Yes ma’am… I’m sure he’s very nice. I’d like to meet him, if he comes before I go home.” Which would hopefully be soon.

“Oh, I’m-!” Was she seeming hostile? She didn’t mean that at all. She blushed a little. “Everyone here is already very, very nice, ma’am. I quite like everyone.” Even if ...

Talia nodded. She’d need to be as careful around this lady as well then. “That’s nice as well.”

“That’s sweet,” Talia said gently.

“Oh, wow!” She blinked at her, startled, but then smiled a little. So they genuinely were friends, then. She supposed this lady would know how much teasing Lord Ash could ...

“…so you’re… friends? With his lordship and her ladyship?”

Talia’s eyes went wide but she dipped her head. “Yes ma’am.” Absolutely not. Imagine confiding in a noble . Absolutely not.

“No ma’am.” She shook her head.

“Yes ma’am.” Talia ducked her head, blushing. But a moment later she looked up with a small smile. “Thank you.”

Talia nodded timidly, not looking up. "Yes, ma'am... that's just... an opinion I'm not bold enough to have."

Talia blushed and dropped her gaze again. Sera was getting back to having opinions that got you a date with the gallows. Talia wanted no part of them.