Mirna blinked, caught off guard for a split second.
River sipped her tea, then tilted her head with a look of genuine curiosity.
“Tell me, Lady Mirna. You served as consort to the interim Lord for several years, didn’t you?”
Mirna straightened her back.
“I did. I carried many responsibilities. Hosting dignitaries, managing estate affairs. I was… invaluable to the function of this house.”
“That’s wonderful,” River said with warm admiration, but there was a glint in her eye. “And now that your duties have come to an end with the transition of power, what part will you miss the most?”
The question landed like a subtle dagger.
Mirna hesitated.
“Excuse me?” she asked, her voice low.
“I only mean,” River said sweetly, “surely there’s something you’ll miss now that the role belongs to an
