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His mother requested his presence at nine o’clock sharp The solid gold antique clock standing proudly in one of the many ova sole late

With a resigned breath, he unfroze his fist, rapped sharply on the gold-leaf-framed doors and awaited the command to enter

It arrived, brisk and firm, yet wrapped in a layer of unmistakable warmth

The voice accurately reflected the worand coat of arrey gaze tracking him across the vast office

She nodded approvingly when he executed a respectful bow before taking his seat before her

‘I ondering how long you’d rehtful?’ she mused with a trace of sadness in her eyes

That sadness grated, but Remi refused to let it show

He was used to people wearing that expression in his presence He was used to several more expressions, yet sorrow and pity chafed the worst But he supposed it was better than being treated as if he were lass

He ignored the ens that, just this once, his instincts rong But from her perfectly coiffed hair and flawless make-up, to the classic Chanel suit she favoured for official duties, and the diae

of the Montegovan flag, Re was exactly what he’d suspected it to be

The axe was truly about to fall

‘Not frightful, no But I suspect the reason for this su will leave one of us less than thrilled’