Page 114 of A Sunwoven Ascent

“You will not.”

Kaldrek let out a low, quiet laugh.

Aurelia turned on him instantly. “And you—do not encourage him.”

“I am merely observing,” Kaldrek replied, his tone far too calm to be entirely sincere.

Evelyne’s shoulders shook.

“Now,” Aurelia continued, regaining her composure, “gentlemen of status must be able to engage in proper conversation. You cannot simply sit in silence and glare at one another.”

“I don’t glare,” Holden muttered.

“You absolutely do.”

Cillian stepped forward. “You might speak of trade,” he offered. “Or agriculture. Land management. The movement of goods between territories.”

“Livestock,” Holden said at once. “I know livestock.”

Aurelia blinked. “That is… surprisingly useful.”

“I’ve killed plenty of it.”

“No.” Aurelia pressed her fingers to her temple. “We do not say that. You manage livestock. You oversee production. You—”

“Lie about it?” he asked, raising a brow.

“Refine it.”

Evelyne nearly lost it entirely. Her sister’s patience was visibly wearing thin.

“Now,” Aurelia said, turning toward Heidara, “you, at least, are doing quite well.”

Heidara sat upright, her posture stiff but determined, hands folded neatly in her lap just as instructed.

“You see?” Aurelia said, gesturing toward her. “Composure. Grace. Restraint.”

Heidara nodded slowly. “What do I talk about?” she asked.

“Your interests,” Aurelia replied. “Reading. Music. The piano, perhaps. Embroidery—”

“That sounds dreadful,” Heidara said immediately.

Aurelia froze.

“Dreadful?” she repeated.

“Yes. Is running considered a suitable interest? Or sparring?”

Aurelia inhaled sharply. “No.”

“I like both.”

“I gathered.”

Heidara tilted her head. “What if I speak about hunting?”

“You will not speak about hunting.”