Page 80 of Scars and Crowns

"You'd stolen an entire tray of jalebis from the kitchen."

"I was helping redistribute resources."

"You were committing theft."

"I was feeding hungry children."

"You were feeding yourself."

"I shared."

"Barely."

He's smiling now. "The ribbon was covered in sugar."

I burst out laughing. "It was not."

"It was." He sounds deeply offended that I would question his investigation. "You left ribbon fibres all over the crime scene."

"I cannot believe you investigated jalebi theft."

"I was building a case."

"For what?"

"Future blackmail."

I shake my head. "You never blackmailed me."

"I didn't need to." He shrugs. "You confessed."

"I did not."

"You lasted fifty-eight minutes."

I gape at him. "You timed me?"

"I knew exactly how guilty you were." His smile widens. "The head maid started questioning the kitchen staff and you walked straight into the dining room crying."

"I was not crying."

"You absolutely were."

"I was emotional."

"You admitted everything before anyone even accused you." Heat climbs into my cheeks despite the laughter bubbling out of me. "You always had the world's worst poker face."

"I disagree."

"I don't."

"I was an excellent liar."

"You bit the inside of your cheek." He taps the side of his own jaw. "Right here." I freeze. "And," he continues far too calmly, "your left eyebrow always lifted a little."

I blink at him. " . . . What?"

"I could tell every single time."