A faint blush colored Yvaine's cheeks.
"What can I do?" she said helplessly. "He's the one who's nervous."
Beside her, Lance grinned like a fool, unable to hide his happiness even if he tried.
Yvaine took a seat and turned toward Caelith.
"Sister, I heard the cloth merchant came by today?"
Caelith nodded. "He came to offer us compensation."
Yvaine blinked in surprise. "Compensation? Why?"
Caelith recounted the morning's events, explaining how Flinn Proville had returned with the remaining bolts of defective fabric and attempted to repay the losses.
After hearing everything, Yvaine fell silent for a moment.
"Sister... this matter..."
"Someone is manipulating things from behind the curtain," Caelith said quietly. "Flinn Proville is nothing more than a scapegoat."
The color drained from Yvaine's face.
"Who?"
Caelith did not answer, but she already had a name in mind. What she lacked was proof.
Near the doorway, Erian stood with his back turned toward them.
