By the time Korva gets to the first bookstore, the high of having spoken to four separate archdukes as a fellow human being is wearing off, and she is beginning to realize how unutterably stupid she is. That they are genuinely writing a constitution does not mean that doing so is safe. That nobles acted like they valued her contributions does not mean that they will not later destroy her for her disrespect. That people applauded her speech does not mean that it didn't make her enemies, or that powerful enemies cannot still crush her like a bug.

But she can hardly take it back, now. She walks into the bookstore and tries to disappear among the stacks. The books are full of different lies than they used to be, but as places to calm down in go, it isn't terrible.