Chapter 26

But despite Winter's taunts, Amelia wasn't fazed at all. She sat perfectly still, waiting for the water to come to a boil. Quinn, her mentor in the countryside, had been a master of many skills, and tea was the one he excelled at most. Even before Amelia was tall enough to lift a kettle, he'd begun teaching her the art of brewing tea. That was why she had absolute confidence. As for the steps Winter had just recited, Amelia had memorized them by the time she was five. She couldn't be bothered to respond to Winter's dumb question. But to Winter and the onlookers, her silence only proved her ignorance. They assumed she was pretending not to hear the question. The water came to a boil. Everyone leaned forward, expecting Amelia to glance over and copy Winter's every move. Amelia had remained perfectly still until the water began to bubble. Then, without sparing Winter a glance, she focused wholly on her task, pouring hot water into the teapot. She never once showed any intention