"So you want me to take the heat for you?"
Werther fixed Sophia with a piercing stare and set down his teacup.
Sophia sensed things were going badly and hurried to explain.
"No. I just want people to know you're protecting our family. Consider it payment for working the Dragon Hide for you."
"You said the Vinsmoke family wants to steal your family's armor-forging techniques, didn't you? Then they must have people skilled in that field, or they wouldn't be after the techniques.
"So why shouldn't I work with the Vinsmoke family instead? Why insist on working with a family of craftsmen like yours? They'll get their hands on your techniques sooner or later."
Sophia's face fell. She realized how serious her mistake was: she might have invited a wolf into her home.
"They wouldn't work with you. The Vinsmoke family is notoriously overbearing."
Sophia was making one last attempt.
"Heh. They're overbearing, but do you think I'm easy to push around? They'll work with me. Goodbye."
With that, Werther stood and left. Sophia remained where she was, pale-faced, staring after him. Her lips moved as if she wanted to keep persuading him, but then she remembered the Great Swordsman's reputation and said nothing.
Werther glanced back at the bewildered Sophia and shook his head. He wasn't afraid of the Vinsmoke family. He'd dared to kill a daughter of one of the Four Emperors. Why would he fear the Vinsmokes?
After all, the Vinsmoke family was planning to approach that same Emperor's family about a marriage alliance.
What annoyed Werther was being used as a shield. He was certain Sophia had been planning it from the moment he walked in.
Even if he had agreed, he wouldn't have done it merely in exchange for having the Dragon Hide worked.
Now