He tilted his head.
"And you're not offering this because you suddenly find me irresistible, your highness. You're offering it because you're afraid of what happens if you don't.
The imperial family is paying attention, and the generals, even the emperor himself, are too, and that unsettled you.
I am a man who went against the whole ministry and became a man who might one day stand high enough that even a Second Empress has to look up.
You'd rather have that man in your bed and under your influence than watch him rise somewhere you can't reach."
Her expression did not change, but something colder settled behind her eyes.
"You speak very freely for someone who just survived an assassination attempt."
"And it doesn't scare me even a bit."
"I speak freely because you came to me in private after half the villa has drunk itself stupid," Jolthar replied.
