iii. diplomatic mission success.

( petrana had spared little attention for the events of the tourney—dressed prettily and attended one or two, but for the most part she's spent her time here dedicated to the persuasion of ina hachette. it had been done by the very skin of her teeth, pushed to the absolute limit of what was within her ability to promise, and last night she'd been still piqued by that, complaining quietly into julius's shoulder that even keeping her composure it had felt desperate in a way she disliked being, a too close run thing. lacking the satisfaction of being able to turn over a victory with room to breathe around it—an opportunity to prove herself again in the wake of the last mess—

this morning, she is not complaining any more. when she returns to the tent to pack, she catches sight of his face first, )

You've heard?

( he's heard. )