Anger flared up within Kastra and she narrowed her eyes at Mona. She had enough control to recognize that the woman was not her assistant, and that hexing someone else's assistant - especially her father's - would be in bad taste. Then again, if she decided to use an Unforgivable, her father just might forgive her, insistent as he was that she learn to get over her inhibitions. But no. She couldn't - wouldn't - do that.
She wouldn't let this woman get away with disrespecting her either, though. She knew nothing of her loyalties, nothing of how dutiful Kastra had been, of how hard she worked. It was true that Kastra had taken a lot of flack from a lot of people about her rebellion, but she did not need to take it from a lowly, expendable assistant.
Kastra leaned forward, hands on top of the papers that sat on the desk. Making sure that she was in the woman's line of vision, she said, flatly but firmly, "Be careful what you say, or else I will feature you in my next public announcement." Then, straightening herself back up, she began to improvise the announcement, her voice suddenly lighter: "I just wanted to publicly thank the Chancellor's assistant for comforting me when I was feeling the pressure of supporting the Resistance movement at this time. She promised to always be a confidant and friend, and she vowed her own support of the Resistance. I commend her for being so brave, and for allowing me to make this announcement to encourage others to take a stand."
Kastra gave the assistant a small, careless shrug. "You might not have a job anymore after that."