The Empress's smile remained fixed, though it looked a fraction more rigid than before. "How about having some tea and water before I let you go to your duties? It is only proper for the palace to host you correctly."
Heena really was in her absolute most ruthless era. Knowing she was living on a rapidly ticking clock thanks to her brain tumor gave her an incredibly freeing, zero-regrets attitude. Why on earth should she care about offending anyone when she was already dying anyway?
She looked directly into the Empress's eyes, her own face breaking into a soft, overly sweet smile.
"Oh, no, no, Your Majesty, it is quite fine," Heena replied, her voice perfectly light and airy. "After all, the time I would have been given to sit down and enjoy tea and water... I just spent it standing outside your door. I think I have already received more than enough hospitality for one morning."
