Sit and have tea with me.”
I reached for another cup, pouring tea into it before sliding it gently across the counter toward Lina. Her eyes widened immediately.
“Oh no, ma’am… I shouldn’t.”
I looked around the empty kitchen dramatically before lowering my voice.
“Well, I don’t see the terrifying dictator anywhere around, do you?”
Lina almost choked trying to hide her laugh.
I smiled triumphantly.
“Exactly. Sit.”
She hesitated for another moment before finally pulling out the chair and sitting across from me.
Outside, rain battered against the windows, the occasional rumble of thunder rolling through the night. The warm kitchen lights softened everything around us, making the massive manor feel somewhat homely for once.
Lina wrapped both hands around the teacup, warming them befor
