Their insults were the icing on her already terrible cake, the day had been bad enough without the scalding remarks of some Geslack brat. Lyra wanted to scowl, but he'd beaten the idea of disrespect out of her head the evening prior with his thorough lancing. "Sir," she greeted Loell as her eyes remained fixated on the marble tiles beneath her feet. She would play along because she feared punishment and because she had no other choice, she and Theo would bide their time until a perfect chance for escape presented itself.<br/><br/>"Bremmington," Merci hissed. "Are you deaf? Brother dearest asked you to apologize."<br/><br/>Lyra bit down on her lip and composed herself before finally walking toward Merci and Loell. If this was the price she had to pay for freedom, then so be it. It wasn't the worst part of her day. "I'm sorry for my outburst the other evening." Lyra said as she knelt before the smirking girl. Merci was especially expressive when she was gloating, a stark contrast to Engel's more subdued and mysterious tells. She was absolutely delighted as she raised her shoe up into the air.<br/><br/>Lyra lowered her lips to kiss Merci's red shoes, Engel had already made her swallow the rest of her pride when he'd forced her to clean her own blood off the sword that had impaled her. This was nothing in comparison to what had happened in the garden in front of Theo. Her lips lingered for a moment before she finally pulled away. "I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me, Merci."<br/><br/>"Since you've asked so nicely, I will." Merci beamed. "But you best play nice with brother, he's a sweetheart and needs the utmost care."<br/><br/>Merci's words almost made Lyra choke. Sweetheart wasn't the word she'd use to describe Engel.<br/><br/>"Now run along, me and Loell here have a game to finish."<br/><br/>Not wanting to get on the girl's bad graces (Engel seemed to adore her), Lyra dragged herself toward Engel and hesitantly sat down on his lap where he wanted her to be. She shuddered at how close they were, wanting more than anything to get away from the man who'd assaulted her. "What do you need, Engel?" She asked as her hands clenched the hem of her dress. She didn't want him to notice how nervously she tugged at it, how she tried to keep it as low as she could.