A flustered Arkin von Conradie, who had urgently requested a private audience with the Archduchess of Lanark immediately after the Prince's edicts, paced anxiously in the now empty Conference Room. Meanwhile, the Archduchess enjoyed a cup of tea that Bernard, one of the few veteran estate staff who had chosen to remain in Lanark to serve the new Archduchess, had prepared for her.
She sipped the tea and let out an appreciative hum, acknowledging the quality of the herbs she had lovingly grown with her son in the garden her father had gifted her years ago.
"This tea is exceptional," she remarked with a kind smile. "Why don't you join me for a cup?"
He regarded her with incredulity. "How can you remain so composed in this situation?"
In her view, there was no reason for nervousness. Her son had just resolved Arkin's issues.