After several surprised seconds while Kira blinked dumbly at Liara, she asked, "What sort of cousin?"
“Cousin” was a broad term. It didn't necessarily mean they were closely related.
Liara's mask cracked for the first time, the smallest glimmer of an emotion Kira couldn't place, flickering before it was hidden again. "You’re the daughter of my mother's sister."
“Ah, that sort of cousin,” Kira said blandly.
For some reason, Kira had assumed these people were loosely related to her in a distant sort of way—not people who shared a direct bloodline with her. Not individuals who may have actually known her parents at some point.
It should have occurred to her. It was an obvious conclusion, but she felt completely taken off guard.
Questions brewed in her mind, but Kira hesitated to voice them. It felt like she’d be giving too much power to these people, here, in this moment, to ask anything. She’d wait for a better opportunity, one where she didn’t feel like a poor relation begging for crumbs.
Liara didn't address Kira's ridiculous statement, instead turning her attention to Graydon. "You've delivered a child we thought lost to us. We thank you; it’s a debt we can never repay. You may be assured she and those of our branch House will be looked after. We won't keep you any longer. I'm sure the emperor will appreciate your presence once again."
It was a clear dismissal.
"Thank you, Overlord. However, I'm afraid we won't be on our way just yet."
"Oh?" she said sharply.
Graydon's smile was aggressive, daring those assembled to try to thwart him.
"The children’s futures are not set. Until they and their household are pledged to you, or the oldest has won the mantle of Overlord, I have an obligation to them. I will see it carried out, " Graydon said, the pleasantness of his voice at odds with the steely resolve in his face.
"Of course, they will be absorbed into one of our branch Houses," Alma argued.
"No, we won't. Joule's going to take theadva kaand become the head of our House!" Ziva shouted.
The woman's eyes got wide as she sputtered.
The man looked at Graydon. "What have you been filling their heads with?"
Graydon started to answer.
Ziva got there first. "We're not going to let you take our House. We're House Maxiim. We’ll always be Maxiim. Kira's going to help train Joule."
Kira choked in surprise as all eyes turned her way. That wasn't exactly what she'd said.
Graydon seemed amused at the predicament she found herself in. Alma’s mouth snapped shut and her spine straightened as she stared at the three. That was easy for him. He was no longer on the firing line.
"You'll see. Joule will become Overlord and we'll stay House Maxiim," Ziva proclaimed.
"Quiet, child," Alma snapped. "You should be grateful we're taking you in at all."
"Seneschal," Liara said in soft rebuke.
Alma bit her tongue, but her narrowed eyes gave away her thoughts. If she'd had her way, she would have had plenty more to say on that subject.
Liara turned on her heel and strode off, the rest of those on the steps following. Roderick and a squad of his men were left behind.
"We will show you to your quarters," Roderick said with a dour expression.
Kira waited for the rest to catch up with her on the stairs. Graydon was the first to reach her.
"Your attempt to procure your release was nice and subtle. I commend you," he said.
"It wasn’t good enough," Kira said as they walked up the stairs together into the Citadel.
