"It was quite as dull as the Kapurs could have hoped," Altair agreed. He spared the book one last glance before bringing his cup forward and taking a sip of the tea. It was floral and light, quite appropriate for a summer afternoon.
He didn't say anything about the lullaby book or why he'd wanted it. Ari was a smart girl, and had most likely figured it out already. It was no secret that Altair's mother had been Ordalian, or that Altair was quite close to her as a child. As far as he was concerned, he'd already said everything he cared to say about that, so he turned his attention on the other topic Ari had introduced.
"As you remember, the Tenements district was destroyed," he said nonchalantly. "The poor are doubtless even angrier now that their homes have been felled and their family members killed." He paused for effect, taking a scone for himself, before he added, "And Royse certainly did what he could to fan those flames during his speech on Saturday morning."