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The woman looked embarrassed for a moment before she waved a purple handkerchief between them "You must be new to Lycaonia I’ who I am My name is Daphane Bowers, pleasure to meet you I have to ask, are you related to that brilliant, handso on a blood substitute in Noctem Falls?"

"Pleasure," Elizabeth said, deliberately not answering the woman’s question

After a few moments of silence Daphane spoke up "Are you, dear?"

"I’ in Nocte to?" Elizabeth said, being as obtuse as possible By drawing out this line of questioning she would ht her true intentions Elizabeth had played this game before

"Broderick Monroe, of course His assistant, Caspian Rioux, is the vaer brother," Daphane clarified

"Oh yes, youon a blood substitute"

"Oh? Are they ood looks would sihed

Elizabeth s to look at Daphane "I didn’t realize that the ruling houses in Lycaonia were so out of touch That’s just sad," she pouted then continued "My fathers have been mated for over one hundred and fifty years, to think that you wouldn’t know soe everywhere else is, well, forgive the term, but pathetic really" Elizabeth heard the tiniest of sounds and saw that Meryn’s eyes were practically bugging out in the effort not to laugh

Just about that ti two trays Ryuu immediately went to Meryn and poured her tea and set out the warmed honey for Felix while Marius set a tea service down in front of her She saw that he was barely concealing a grin When he straightened he gave a small bow "Your tea, Lady Elizabeth"

"Thank you Marius, I’m sure it will be perfect" She smirked up at hiitated, Daphane sipped from her teacup "Such relationships are subject to opinion," she said, her sweet tone slipping

Elizabeth turned to Daphane and widened her eyes taking on her most innocent of faces "Whatever do youthe ’Lady’ honorific She saw Daphane flinch

"Surely not everyone in Noctes between men?"