Velin set down his teacup and turned to look at Zeflin, who was bowing before him. "Come and sit," he said slowly.
At his words, Zeflin straightened, walked to the other side of the stone table, and sat down.
"On your way here, you must have been thinking about how to face me." Velin picked up the teapot and a fresh cup, filled it with tea, and placed it before Zeflin.
"Yes."
Looking down at the tea in her cup, Zeflin nodded slightly and answered honestly, concealing nothing.
"The attack on the Floating Fleet wasn't your fault." Velin set down the teapot and looked up at Zeflin, who sat rigidly upright. "Ultimately, something like this couldn't have been predicted," he said evenly.
"As far as I'm concerned, I don't blame you for this."
"My lord, I..."
Zeflin raised her head slightly and opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat.
"You should know me fairly well by now."
"That's what I wanted to tell you."
"However, someone must take responsibility for this. We have to uphold the rules of this system, and even I cannot make an exception."
Under Velin's gaze, Zeflin stood, lifted her head, and squared her shoulders. "My lord, please impose your punishment," she said solemnly.
Seeing this, Velin rose and came to stand beside Zeflin, slightly offset from her. He raised his right hand and patted her shoulder. "I will remove you from your position as commander of the Ice Legion and send you to serve as Head Maid at Xuemiyya's side."
"The Ice Legion will be temporarily incorporated into the Royal Capital Garrison, with Cassius assuming command."
"However, I will privately instruct him not to interfere directly with the Ice Legion. You can therefore continue managing its internal affairs through your