His pristine white cloak barely moved as he stepped forward. "How presumptuous of House Kaiser to assume we would answer a summons from an absent heir."
"Nevertheless," Seraphina replied calmly, "you are here. Which suggests the summons was compelling enough to warrant your presence."
The Starfell emissary's expression soured. His hand moved with casual cruelty, striking Seraphina across the face with enough force to turn her head.
The crack of palm against cheek echoed across the courtyard.
"We do not," the man said coldly, "speak to servants."
Seraphina's head remained turned for a moment, her dark hair falling across her face. When she straightened, there was no anger in her expression, no pain, no reaction at all.
Just that same cool assessment, as if cataloging the man's face for future reference.
"Noted," she said simply.
