Lena noted the servants reaction, but her eyes stayed on the Count and her smile did not leave her lips. Perhaps it was a wrong step, but a step nonetheless. She held her tongue for but a moment, "So far; Careful is the word I'd use to describe you My Lord. Not one to act too quickly in any way. Perhaps patient? Good traits those, if I would be one to judge. But I am not, I simply wish to know. I believe knowledge of things is a noble pursuit."
"Generally My Lord? Yes." she said to his question. She gave a soft sigh, "My Lord, if I somehow gave offence, it was not my intent." she finished before giving a shrug. "Do not misunderstand, My Lord Halfhaven, I understand my situation perfectly well. I understood it from before I met with Sir Alberich. With a word, you could have the lands I rule taken from me, the men who follow me killed or indeed join you to save their skins. Myself meeting the void or a powerless existence." she said, making a gesture, "But tell me My Lord" she said, "Would you have me beg for my small scraps of power not to be taken away by you, who commands wealth, power, men far beyond me?" she asked simply, as if stating a fact. "No, I won't be the one who begs. That I refuse to do, come what may." she said, shaking her head. "Instead, it is your choice, would you want a vassal who would beg for a scrap of power. Or one who seeks knowledge and who thinks for herself and would speak her mind?" she finished, sipping from her glass. Her eyes were something close to intense at this point but her smile was still present. "I am the latter, I won't beg."