A sigh of relief silently escaped her lips when it appeared no further comment would be made of her behavior. The small ball of disappointment lingered in her stomach, but Sybille was content to try and ignore it as she began to eat the food on her plate as conversation continued.

Then Ace’s announcement made her fork pause halfway to her mouth. She set it down, careful not to break any further rules and risk the new criticism of their mother, before she said anything. An announcement from her brother, she had learned, or really anyone in their family, could be something large. A secret that had been hidden for months or years. But this time Sybille was determined to be prepared for whatever Ace threw their way. She’d be the perfect lady about it.

“Oh?” She asked politely, affecting as much the air of a hostess as a twelve year old recently scolded could.