Julian let out a dry scoff, straightening up and pulling his hands off her desk. He shook his head, a mixture of disbelief and genuine amusement dancing in his ice-blue eyes.
"Manage it independently," he repeated, his tone returning to that smooth, completely nonchalant baritone. "Right. Of course. Why did I expect any other answer from the great Empress Regent?"
He turned around and walked over to a high-hanging basket of orchids, casually poking at a trailing vine. He didn't look defeated at all; he just looked like a guest who found the palace entertainment slightly unusual but highly amusing.
