Corven instinctively took a step back—not because she was too close, but more out of caution. He'd been stabbed once today. He didn't plan on giving her a reason to try again, especially not for answering the wrong way.
"And what do you mean by that?" he asked calmly, eyes fixed on hers.
"Don't play dumb. I have eyes and ears everywhere—"
"Those eyes clearly weren't enough when Lilian got captured," Corven cut her off without hesitation.
The Baroness smirked, unfazed by the jab. She turned around with quiet grace and returned to the velvet bed, sitting down once more with practiced poise. "You've got a sharp tongue. Are you really not afraid of me?"
Corven knew better than to pretend. She was powerful—stronger than him in every measurable way. But that didn't mean acting subservient would do him any favors. If he played the obedient servant, she'd treat him like one. Nothing more. Nothing less.
