[center][h1]Lady Safina Haliel[/h1][/center]

For someone who'd spent the formative years of her life as a street urchin, one would think Safina would be rather taken by the novelty of masquerading as a noble, attending balls regularly, wearing a slinky black dress more expensive than entire towns' worth, and living in a castle, of all things. One would be wrong. She had better things to do than this constant maintenance of her cover. Like actually being back out in the field, overseeing her Concord's cells. Unfortunately, Evelyn liked her little galas far too much for Safina's taste. And it was either put up with this or deal with constantly sneaking in and out of Hathforth Castle to report in. 

So Safina kept a thin smile on her lips, her gaze not so much insincere as it was just aloof. Her ears picked up various whispers around the court, but she didn't react outwardly to any of them. Nothing of particular importance, just the same insipid gossip ad nauseum. 

And then something [i]interesting[/i] happened. Duke Rhinecliff, in the flesh. Well, well. Wasn't this a surprise? Safina wasn't sure if this move was bold or foolish, considering his arrival did nothing to make up for the veritable ledger of unpaid taxes his duchy owed. A preemptive move to try to save face? Or something else? Her eyes traced over Eirwen for a moment, searching for his reaction to the Duke's arrival. Nothing. Of course not. The mage had been more than good at keeping a steady poker face in court. 

Then Evelyn called upon her, and Safina stepped forward, curtsying before she rose. 

[b]"As Your Highness bids. If you'll follow me, Duke Rhinecliff?"[/b] Safina gestured towards the Duke, turning and walking away while expecting him to follow. She led the man out of the throne room and through a few adjacent hallways before entering a small office. 

[b]"Sit, by all means."[/b] That cool smile was still plastered on her face as she sunk into the plush chair behind the desk, opening it to pull out a ledger, which she opened.

[b]"Empty."[/b] Her gaze was sharp. A servant entered, pouring the both of them a goblet of wine each, before bowing and making a hasty departure. Safina ignored her cup, her focus on the Duke. [b]"Your show of fealty is appreciated, of course. But the Crown would rather prefer a more [i]material[/i] demonstration of loyalty than symbolic. Nearly a year's worth of unpaid taxes. And do not lie to me; Odonfield is more than prosperous at the moment."[/b] The implication that it could change.

[b]"So where, oh where, could all your tax revenue be? Personal debts? Church ties? Keeping artists and scholars fed? Faith and culture are all very well and good, Duke Rhinecliff, but just as your people pay their taxes to you, their feudal lord, so too must you pay your duchy's share to the Crown."[/b]

Safina's gaze was more predatory than anything now, a glint in her eyes.

[b]"By all standards, you are little better than a debtor right now. That little show to the Queen has bought you the courtesy of a chance to come clean. Or at least to work out the beginnings of a payment plan. One way or another, my lord, Hathforth will have what it is due. Are we clear?"[/b]

[@Donut Look Now]