Or as leisurely as the palace allowed.
"If it's poisoned, it's harder to use it against the Ugoeze if it's from you.At least if the kitchen food is poisoned, it's under her jurisdiction."
Borji's eye twitched."So it's not because you don't trust me, but because you'd rather die landing a killing blow to Imperial Mother?"
She nodded, stuffing her mouth with porridge.
"Then is it a good time to say it's not from the kitchen?I bought it from the market this morning since I knew you wouldn't eat it if I gave it to you."The words came running out of his mouth like a torrent as he quickly confessed everything at once.
She stopped mid-bite.
"Don’t be angry," he coaxed.
She remained still.For a second it seemed she might throw the plate at him, but instead she continued to chew the food in her mouth.
"It's delicious," she said finally."Thank you."
Borji let out a breath.
"The market," Azul said, scraping the bowl clean."Do they have skilled craftsmen there?"
"Some.Why?"
"If I wanted to commission something from a blacksmith, would it be possible?With silver?"
Borji's brow furrowed."What kind of commission?"
"Just answer the question."
"Yes.There are smiths who take private commissions if the price is right.What are you planning?"
"Well—"
"What is that noise?"Borji asked, finally registering the hissing that seemed to come from beneath the sleeping platform.
Azul's ears perked up as a smile graced her features.
"A snake," Azul said.
Borji went pale."What?"
"There's a snake under my bed."
"Why—" He stopped."How did a snake get under your bed?"
"What's the gossip in the palace these days?"
"Don't change the subject—there's a snake close to my feet right now."
"I'm not changing the subject.I'm declining to answer.Now, gossip?"
"...Fine.What kind of gossip?"
"Anything interesting: politics, trade, war."She paused, her golden eyes meeting his.
"Rumours."
He thought for a moment, then something flickered across his face—panic—before he schooled his expression back to its usual charm.
