I burst into laughter while he spits frantically onto the floor.

He springs to his feet, his face red with fury.

“What kind of insult is this? Why are you laughing?” he snarls, his jaw tight. “You should confront her for desecrating—”

“She desecrated nothing, Father,” I interrupt smoothly.

Beads of sweat break out across his forehead as realization dawns on him. Betrayal flashes in his eyes.

“I’m sorry if you feel insulted, Father.” I rise from my seat and step slowly toward him, closing the distance until I can feel the heat radiating off him. “She didn’t serve you poison, did she?”

His chest heaves as he glares at...