Eliezer had thought that he was in the clear when she started to speak about engraving and joke about her siblings. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and her suspicion was made clear when she eventually asked him if something was wrong. So, despite his best efforts, she could still sense that all was not right. He was at a lost as to how to respond to such an inquiry, knowing that what he said next would probably result in heavy consequences, depending on what he would choose to say. He wanted to avoid the topic, to simply continue acting as if he did not know what she was talking about, to make an excuse that he was just weary from the matters he had to settle upon returning to the palace. Surely that was an explanation that she would not question?

No, what bothered him was the fact that she still attempted to hide her initial reason for wanting to be close to him, and if he were to hide what he knew from her, he would be no better of a person than she was. That was not to say that she was not a good person. He was grateful for all she had done for him, and it was likely true that she had really developed feelings for him. However, he still could not let go of the fact that she had managed to deceive him into believing that it had always been the case. With a deep sigh, he pushed the things on the table between them aside and looked her in the eye, wanting to give her the chance to tell him the truth.

"My lady, for what reason were you actually at the ball on the night that we met? What motive did you have for obtaining my attention?"