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"Your essence still carries the grace of your beauty, making it visible to those who see you," he countered.

She nodded appreciatively. "A finely crafted compliment." Then her eyes narrowed. "I noticed you touching your ear earlier. A close call?"

He sighed slightly. "It's an old—"

"Don't try to fool me. I train my disciples. I know a smacked ear when I see one," the Pavilion Mistress interjected. "A disciple, wasn't it?"

"I don't discuss my private matters," he deflected.

"You're not as nefarious as you'd like me to believe, Young Master Black," she said. Their eyes locked for a moment.