Chapter 172

Zavian nodded, swallowing the bite. “Good,” he admitted, though his tone was still gruff. “You’re lucky I can’t resist your ridiculous attempts to make me forgive you.”

Emmeline laughed softly, setting the chicken back on her plate. “Ridiculous, huh? Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

A faint smirk tugged at Zavian’s lips despite himself. He reached for the bottle of wine and poured himself another glass, taking a smaller sip this time. “You’re impossible, little girl,” he muttered, though there was no real bite in his words.

“Maybe,” Emmeline teased. She leaned forward slightly, her elbows resting on the table as she studied him. “But I’m your kind of impossible, aren’t I?”

Zavian glanced at her with a sign. “Don’t push your luck.”

Emmeline chuckled, taking another sip of her own wine before setting the glass down and changing the subject. “Tell me about your family. Is the study of law hereditary for you? Or are you the rebellious one who decided