Viola recognized her mistake nearly as soon as the words left her mouth, and the beat of uncomfortable silence that followed more than enough to mortify her as well. Her whole body blinked, for a few moments, out of existence, leaving her clothes appearing to float eerily in midair. Fortunately, the footman deferred her intrusion beautifully, though it didn't necessarily stop her cringing.
"Yes, Beau tells me it's awful," she said, trying to keep her voice light. Better to push on like nothing had happened than apologize for the impropriety. Hopefully he would forgive her for being under so much stress. "But it's nice that people are friendly. Though there haven't been any... disturbances related to the Annexation, have there? I've read stories of some... pushback, even since the war. Lind--" the slightest pause, her body still thankfully transparent. "People are saying that it's overblown drivel, but I'm curious if it's true."