"Do not speak to us like that." Ricco's expression turned grim, staring daggers at the woman who came to meddle in his affairs. "Not even Marquess Darius had ever spoken to us like that, and we won't accept anything less than respectful."
"And why is that?" Althea tilted her head, acting genuinely confused.
"Because we are the pe—"
"people of the holy land? You must be really proud of that to flaunt it around whenever you can."
Hearing Althea completing his sentence, Ricco gritted his teeth.
It was the same for the others behind him—all furious at Althea's impudent mockery.
Althea stepped forward and crossed her arms—staring up to Ricco, who was a head taller than her with unflinching eyes, "It would be another story if you actually did something to be a part of the holy land, but you don't. Most of you don't!"
She stared down the rest of the people behind Ricco.
Her rising voice was picking up attention, but most of them resumed what they were doing.
