The board took three hours to decide not to clear me.
Efficient cowardice required time.
We waited in a side chamber with too many chairs and not enough exits. The academy had provided tea. Ren refused to touch it until he confirmed which service route delivered the tray. Valeria inspected the cups for contract residue. Seraphina checked the steam for prayer marks.
Liora stared at the tray. "It is tea."
"No," Ren said.
Everyone looked at him.
He flushed but continued. "It is academy-provided tea during a liability review involving House Valdrake, Church observers, Professor Malcris, witness testimony, and a damaged noble heir. It is an object with context."
Valeria placed one hand over her heart. "Lockwood, you are growing into a terrifying young man."
Ren looked at me as if asking whether that was permitted.
"It is," I said.
Seraphina smiled into her own untouched cup.
