[ his charm doesn't disarm her. she is much too old to be wooed by men who know how to perform respect and chivalry, or by anyone who sees that her ego needs stroking.

but it does need stroking, and so she smiles regardless. some part of her feels good at being treated as worthy of those things, no matter her defenses against it. it also, however, raises a countermeasure. another part of her recoils, quietly doubting the applicability. the part that is convinced that she is worth precisely four marks.

the child apologizes to yennefer, ducking their head guiltily. then they try to wriggle away. feeling magnanimous, yennefer says, ] I don't care for apologies. Just don't do it again.

[ though, in truth, she isn't opposed to a little groveling from the right person. she turns her eyes on him. ]

You don't look like a nursemaid. Are you planning to wrangle them? Yours would be a much better example than whatever caretakers they've been under.