Jeanne stared for a moment at the beautiful red-haired girl.
Rubina looked young even by the academy's standards, clearly one of the youngest among those gathered on this floor, and yet she stood there with complete ease, openly mocking someone of David's standing without the slightest hesitation. Then again, she was the daughter of Duke Scarlett. A girl born into that kind of rank could afford a bold tongue more easily than most.
David glanced at her and let out a dry snort.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not particularly," Rubina replied, lifting one shoulder. "But I imagine Aurora is not especially comfortable with a man constantly hovering around her." She raised a brow. "She is engaged, unless you somehow forgot."
David's expression hardened.
"By Eden, since when do we allow children into this academy?" He said. "Shouldn't you be elsewhere playing with dolls, Rubina?"
Rubina smiled.
It was a beautiful smile, but it never reached her eyes.
