"That is the single most ridiculous thing you have said yet," replied Solae hotly with a trace of the pride elites were so infamous for. Rather than sounding condescending, however, she sounded sincerely insulted. It was Rene's unintended blow to her ego that invoked frustration that bubbled to the surface. "I will be the first to admit that current events and our situation has taken a toll on me- and it will probably continue to do so. There is a saying across nearly every culture, though, that war brings out the truth in a person, even if they disagree on the merit of what is brought to light. If you think I would [i]regret[/i] you are either oblivious to how truly amazing you have proved yourself to be, think that all that matters to me is status- admittedly my dalliance with Lord Armon does lead one to believe that because even now I'm not sure why I found him charming, or you think me deaf, dumb, and blind. No matter how overwhelming all of this chaos is to me, my judgment is not horribly impaired."

It was rare that Solae let any semblance of a temper shine through. The stress of hiding from rebellion forces, of being wounded (which was a new experience if she was honest), of losing her parents, and being in proximity to an incredibly handsome and alluring man who was no interested had made her spill out more anger than she intended. Her mother had always said expressing ire in any way except a pointed social attack on the enemy was both unladylike and a weakness. Temper tantrums had been cruelly disciplined until she dared not speak out of turn. Nobility was about control. The closer one was to the top of proverbial ladder the more restraint and stoicism was required in adverse circumstances.

At first Solae wasn't sure [i]why[/i] she had let her harsh words fly loose. Perhaps it was her turmoil at the impression that Rene did not actually find her 'appealing,' that he was paying lip service, because while he had returned her kiss he had simply let her leave. Perhaps she was callously using her position as a 'superior' to not give him the respect she ought to give a duke, duchess, or the like. Perhaps, and most likely, she felt comfortable enough around him not to throttle herself. Tension between them aside she trusted Rene not to abandon her even if she was not the pleasant doll that she was expected to be. Bleeding, helpless, and vomiting he had not flinched or retreated. Solae was confident that a flash of anger would not irreparably sever their bond.

She took a deep breath. "I am going to brush up on my Syshi with Mia. If you decide to make lunch please let me know and I will join you."

"Lady Solae," Mia said, interrupting their communication to broadcast to both simultaneously, "I revisit my suggestion you do not stand or walk on your leg for at least another hour."

Solae groaned audibly at the mothering Mia insisted on doing. She was in her twenties and yet she was being treated like a child. While she had only vague notions on how to care for injuries, Rene had done an excellent job with the spray and sutures. It was almost ridiculous that Mia treated Solae as if she were made of fragile glass. If an hour would silence the objections it was a small price to pay.

"Let me amend, then. I will join you if an hour has passed and I'm no longer under bed arrest by her Royal Highness Mia," Solae said before motioning for Mia to stop the broadcast. Solae leaned back onto her pillows lifelessly as she stared at the ceiling and wondered if she had been cruel. The proper thing to do would be give him a chance to reply- but at the same time she was a coward afraid of what he would say.