Whatever Leal's true intentions were, none of that mattered. Prejudice—perceptions twisted to reinforce deep-rooted beliefs—that's what he was up against.
He WAS daring, Hilde grudgingly agreed. Would anyone push himself to the extent that he obviously had just to offer insult? Well… yes, some might. There were people who'd go to great lengths indeed for an endgame only they could see.
But the thing about Leal that had first earned her ire was his damned honesty. He didn't seem to care whether or not his thoughts showed clearly in his expressions. Whatever others thought of him, it didn't seem to matter to him either way. And when he spoke, he didn't hold back—even when he had nothing good to say, which was nearly all the time, in their brief acquaintance.
In her extended experience, a
