My first impression of Ariel von Elsheimer was of a sweet, delicate, innocent girl. But I could read the fear in the eyes she turned on me. She was a fine young lady, but she would never make a family head.
"Baron Wolfgang Ritter von Streit, Fräulein Elsheimer. Or would you prefer I address you as acting Viscountess Elsheimer?"
"...Call me whatever you like, Sir Streit."
"Then, Fräulein Elsheimer, may I ask why Count Reinfeldt is present at this important negotiation?"
"That's..."
Flustered, Ariel shot a pleading glance at Adelbert, who sat beside her. Adelbert, put on the spot, could only mumble something in reply. He must have known he had overstepped.
Elsheimer may be a vassal house of Reinfeldt, but inserting himself into a negotiation between two families was an act of disrespect toward me. By any common standard, it was extremely rude.
Naturally, displeasure showed plainly on my face.
Which was exactly why Ariel feared me.
