Yvaine trembled violently, fear seizing her entire body as she dropped to her knees at once.
"My lord—this concubine has urgent news to report!" she cried. "It concerns Caelith… it concerns a matter of great importance to you!"
Dorian's brows drew together, displeasure evident in his expression. "Stand before you speak. What sort of conduct is this, weeping like a child?"
Yvaine hastily wiped away her tears and forced herself to her feet. Step by step, she approached the desk, her voice lowered, as though the words she carried were heavy with consequence.
"Caelith said… that of late, you have been in contact with salt merchants from the Kingdom of Miaelin… that there seems to be some grand enterprise underway…"
At those words, Dorian's face changed at once.
Shock spread across his features.
He rose abruptly, the movement sharp and sudden, his gaze locking onto Yvaine with a piercing intensity.
"She truly said this?" he demanded.
