Near the estate entrance, Charlotte Stormblood stood beside her brother Garrick, her storm-grey eyes fixed on the scene she'd just witnessed.
Her expression remained perfectly pleasant, the slight smile never wavering.
But her left eye twitched. Just once. A tiny spasm that lasted perhaps half a second.
A young nobleman chose that exact moment to approach.
He'd finally worked up the courage to speak with the legendary Stormblood daughter, drawn by her reputation as both beautiful and deadly.
"Lady Charlotte," he began, his practiced smile in place. "I don't believe we've been properly..."
Charlotte's fist drove into his gut with surgical precision. The blow carried enough force to lift him slightly off his feet, driving all air from his lungs in a whoosh that expelled all his breath.
