"Not good enough, not by my father's estimation," she replied, not turning around, her arms wrapping around herself. As much as she loved every moment she stole with the princes, being caught under her father's watchful eye always made the dinner a tense and uncomfortable affair for her.

Her lips twisted in a sarcastic parody of a smile. "Then again, I'm not sure I'm capable of that, no matter how long I let Mother fuss over me. At least Brull aimed his blows at my ribs this morning and not my face. I don't even want to think what he'd do if I showed up for dinner with another black eye."

She rolled her eyes in a play of the exasperation she normally showed in regards to her father's temper, but she knew this was no playing matter. He expected to be obeyed in all ways in this matter. The honor of their house rested on her actions, as he'd reminded her on multiple occasions.

She'd never hated having that responsibility dropped in her lap more than at this moment.