"You hated her."
Kamal's brows lifted slightly. "I did not meet her."
Liam paused.
"She was dead before my time," Kamal said. "I am only five years older than Felix."
Liam stared at him. "I keep forgetting everyone involved in this disaster has an age that makes normal history collapse."
Kamal accepted that without offense. "I know of her from records, household accounts, and what His Majesty said when he was too tired to keep old bitterness locked away. I did not hate her. Hatred requires a personal relationship. I judged her."
"That sounds worse."
"It was more precise."
Liam leaned back. "So you entered Goliath's service later."
"Much later."
"As steward?"
"No." Kamal's mouth curved faintly, as if the memory had survived ruin in better condition than most. "I entered his service because I said something stupid."
Liam blinked.
