He motioned towards the guest room and she walked past him. Just not today.

A pair of flashing green eyes inspected her from top to bottom as she entered. "I am Vincent, Vincent Valentine."

He was renowned for his coldness and cruelty against his enemies but also for his fairness to his allies, that was her only hope, to be considered as an ally of his.

"I had heard you were a less than stellar cadet, let us hope you do not disappoint." He fixes his coat. "This is a delicate mission, though you made a good case, a daughter of a traitor would raise lesser suspicions. Do this, and your family will be redeemed, but betray our trust." 

He smiled a smile that cuts like a knife.

"Why did I have to be in the Military? The dissidents are nobilities are they not?"

"Sit."

She took a seat across from him, "They are the least of my worries, it's their pawn that bothers me, I want you to keep an eye on a major suspect."

He put down his teacup on the table, "Sir Chester, Commander of the Death Corps, a shame really. He is a capable man." he shrugged. "I suppose that's why."

"Death Corps? The Special Force?"

"Yes. You would be my eyes and ears."

He pulled his hair back as he leaned his back against his chair, placing a leg on top of his other knee. "I want to know his every movement, I want to know what they are planning."

"Sounds simple enough." She rose and his eyes stared.

"You forget yourself." her jaw tightened, "We are the reason you and your family's reputation are still intact, the reason they are still alive, that could change easily. Now sit, We are not done."

"I've been away from them for a year, would you take away the precious little moment I have now?"

He chuckled, "Was it not you who offered your own life?" he picked up his teacup, "You are a slave, Miss Lavellan until you prove your loyalty and redeem your family."

He took a sip as she returned to her seat. "Your wings are plucked, be grateful you even have the chance to earn back your freedom." 

He put down the teacup "If you want to spend more precious time with them, stay alive and finish your mission, think of it as incentive." 

"You bastard."

"You are your father's daughter."

"I am nothing like him."

He smiled, "That remains to be seen." he leaned forward, "Be a good girl and do as you are told, Miss Lavellan, I promise you will find me a more pleasant man." her brows furrowed.

"I am not as cold or as cruel as they make me out to be, you do realize that? I would have killed your whole family then." he frowned.

"But I listened as you begged when I didn't need to, I put my trust into you, a daughter of a traitor. My enemy." his frown deepened.

"You should be on your knees thankful, yet here you are in disrespect."

She lowered her gaze as he kept his stare, "Pray forgive me, Lord Valentine, I simply miss them. It had been such a long time." she bowed her head low and he leaned back against his chair.

"Kneel, little bird, kneel and beg for my forgiveness."