Seraphine looked up lazily. "Hello, Lady Alissa. Lady Alicent."
Elowen straightened politely. "Good evening, Lady Alissa, Lady Alicent."
Alissa's smile was sharp. "I didn't know you'd be among the guests at my mother's funeral. The list, after all, was filled with honorable names."
The air around their table shifted. A few guests nearby leaned in, ears eager.
Elowen felt the sting, but her spine stiffened. "It is an honor to celebrate Lady Thornvale's memory."
"Yes," Alissa's eyes narrowed, "it is also a privilege. For some."
The meaning was clear. Elowen clenched her jaw. If she backed down now, Alissa would shred her reputation. But if she played Julian's game…
Elowen let a small smirk tug her lips. "And a great opportunity to show oneself to the Lord of the manor, isn't it, Lady Alissa?"
The jab landed. A ripple of muffled laughter moved through nearby nobles.
Seraphine nearly choked on her drink, smirking outright as Alissa's face burned.
