A madness that ought not to have been allowed to be. Years of scheming, corruption, and unpredictability.
The very thought made Nila shudder. "Impossible," she agreed. "He's the most frightening man I've ever met. I don't understand how Queen Asabel can have him so near to her, whilst being so calm… I suppose she is quite a frightening woman too, now that I say it. She's so kind, I feel like she could drown me if she wished to."
"She does have that effect," Oliver said. "But she's a fierce woman at times as well. Maybe one day you'll see that side of her."
"It would be a privilege…" Nila said. "But I wonder if I would get the chance to see her again? I'm so small in comparison to her. I doubt she has any interest in me at all. Besides, I'm just a peasant. It's even strange for a noble like you to meet with her."
"I think at most she's only a head taller than you," Oliver said.
"You know that isn't what I meant…" Nila sighed. "Must it be so difficult to have a serious conversation with you?"