"Solmire must seem so distant now," she continued, drifting closer with studied casualness. "Such a different culture, such different customs. I'm sure adjusting to our ways has been… challenging."
You don't fit here. You'll never fit here.
"His Majesty has been wonderfully patient," Bianca added, her tone dripping with false sympathy. "From what I hear, he's taken such personal interest in your education about the empire. How fortunate you are to have such an attentive husband-to-be."
He has to teach you everything because you're ignorant. He's doing charity work by tolerating you.
I could have been offended. Probably should have been. But mostly I was impressed by the efficiency of her verbal warfare. Each sentence technically polite, each one carrying a poisoned blade.
"The Emperor is remarkably dedicated to ensuring I understand Nevareth's complexities," I agreed pleasantly. "Though I find the most important lessons happen outside the classroom, if you know what I mean."
