Before Loman could reply, Sylvriss turned to Eldric. ‘Lord, does my decision offend you?’ she asked.
Eldric, taken aback by the sudden question, answered frankly, ‘Being honest, Majesty, I suppose it offends my... vanity... a little,’ he said after a brief hesitation.
Sylvriss laughed softly. ‘I find it heartening that you still possess such a young man’s trait, Lord Eldric,’ she said. ‘I trust you have others. Rest assured, I want no surly elders about me.’
Her easy laughter spread around the meeting table like a ripple across a pond, and washed away much of the uneasiness. Eldric cleared his throat gruffly, went a little pink, and did his best to accept the compliment graciously. ‘My vanity will survive the blow, Majesty,’ he said. ‘Especially if it’s to be a requirement of my continu
