“I understand, Tuan,” said Buro Sitt evenly.
“And she will share my room,” added Vetter grinning, “lest a snake be placed in that.”
“I understand, Tuan,” said Buro Sitt.
His nostrils looked white, somehow. It was a pretty horrible thing to watch, Buro Sitt handing over his daughter—sacrificing his honor as a man to keep faith with his people as a king.
“Then,” said Vetter insolently, “you may go.”
Buro Sitt bowed. Then he said, “But I beg, Tuan, that you send away that other woman, lest she poison both you and my daughter. Women are jealous, Tuan.”
Vetter looked at him for an instant through half-closed eyes.
“I’ll have a drink.” He clapped his hands and ordered a siphon and a glass. When the servant brought it in he ordered the girl to mix him a drink.
Then he got up and walked over to Buro Sitt and laughed in his face. It was just showing off, you know, making a raja of the best blood in the East watch his daughter perform a servant’s work for a white.
She brought the glass, deathly white and with flaming eyes. Vetter took it, then laughed.