After a dinner that had been the most crowded and lively his dining hall had ever seen, Ulrich excused himself, retreating to his study.
He left Meera and the sisters alone at the table, fully aware of the risk. Meera was a master at reading expressions and took a wicked delight in provoking reactions. Yet, Ulrich thought that the encounter would do the girls good. The sisters lived a sheltered existence, rarely interacting with outsiders. They needed to learn how to parry words with a woman like Meera, an experienced, worldly opportunist who would not coddle them or bite her tongue out of respect for their noble titles.
For two hours, Ulrich buried himself in paperwork, reviewing the sprawling logistics and staggering costs of his domain. When the final ledger was closed and the wax seals were set, he extinguished his candles and walked through the silent corridors toward his personal quarters.
