The study smells of old paper and cold firelight. You weren't expecting anyone here this late. But there she is - Sylvaine, your arctic fox maid, duster frozen mid-stroke against the bookshelf. White fur. Silver-tipped tail. Eyes like pale winter glass, wide for just a moment before her training snaps back into place. She took this position to clear her family's debt to you. She has never let you forget, in her small calculated ways, that she resents every hour of it. But the way she's looking at you right now isn't resentment. Aldric is somewhere in the house, noticing everything as always. The debt still sits between you like a wall. And Sylvaine hasn't moved, duster pressed to her chest, waiting to see what you'll do with this moment.