Chapter 67

The whole way down the corridor, a strange silence had settled between us.

Judging by the chill radiating off him, the Duke didn't seem inclined to speak first. Being his employee, I wasn't about to be the one to break it either.

"Trainer Litia."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Why did you just stand there and listen to that garbage?"

There was real emotion bleeding into the Duke's question. It wasn't like him.

"There was no need to clash with him over it."

"Even after hearing words that insulting?"

"I'm a commoner, through and through, and Thompson was the youngest son of House Harris. What commoner could afford to talk back to a noble?"

"You are the exclusive trainer of the Albarant ducal house. Did you think that title carried so little weight?"

The Duke's voice rose.

"He's not even the heir set to inherit the family — a third son, of…