[half of what he says goes over her head--president? fiscal years? imaginary debt? but she still gets the point, and smiles.]

I suppose you have to start somewhere in order to learn better.

[the drop of his eyes tells her as much as anything else. this guy really wants to be king (or whatever) of his company? maybe things are very different in his world. she takes another drink, less timid this time, and gestures at him with her drink in a way that indicates she might have been pointing at him if her hand was free.]

Well, that settles it. Next time I'm taking you to the gardens. That is a travesty. There's not even anything dangerous there, which is a significant benefit over Proprevalles. It wasn't really a matter of fun, but it wasn't that bad if you knew how to survive. I happen to be better than average at surviving.

[so...she lived alone in a dangerous forest instead of in a perfectly safe castle. sophie...]