Chapter 138: The Line One Must Not Cross
Lyria's POV
Duke Thorncrest watched me for a moment after his last explanation, the faint smile on his lips lingering as though he found my attempts to follow his reasoning more amusing than he ought to.
Then, as though something had just occurred to him, his expression shifted ever so slightly.
"There is," he said, tilting his head just a fraction, "one more way."
I frowned faintly at that, my curiosity stirring despite myself.
"O-one more… w-way?" I echoed, my voice soft, hesitant.
He nodded, folding his arms loosely as his gaze drifted somewhere thoughtful.
"Yes," he said. "Though I should warn you—this particular method is… rather dangerous."
My fingers curled lightly against my skirt.
His lips curved.
"In a manner of speaking," he replied. "It is not merely an insult. It is provocation in its purest form—the sort that does not concern itself with whether the other party may respond… but whether they even dare to."
