Another under the breath comment, "Why would I be joking?"

Then she raised her voice and spoke sweetly, hoping to erase the damage she'd done. "Of course I'm not serious. I understand why we are all here and what we are trying to do. Obviously, hurting your son would not benefit that goal."

It was quiet for a few minutes while she stared at her food, seething. She did not want to answer the King's questions because certainly it would just cause another reaction like the one to her earlier comment. Kiara had never been one for court politics, and with the very little sleep she was running on, she had even less patience for them than usual.

Even so, she opened her mouth to respond. Her tone was the same as before, though her words were not. "It's hilarious to me that you should act as if you care how he treats me. I'm sure that he has done nothing that you would not approve of, of course, besides the fact that he has not yet arrived to this farce of a meal." She looked up now, her eyes cold as she stared right at the man who had caused so much death in her country.

"I don't see why we should pretend that I don't know what you want from me and what you want from your son. I'm supposed to be a meek little wife that can be controlled, lest I use my voice to destroy your precious country. Sorry to disappoint, but it will never happen."

And then, for just a moment, her eyes softened. "But Prince Lamont may yet live up to your expectations. He is considering learning to fight, just as you wish."