If she seemed blunt, it was because that was how she was brought up. Her family rarely believed in that sort of concealment; if they didn't wish to say something, they either didn't say it or lied through omission.

"Why would you be the cause of it..?" She'd been doing the dishes while talking, but slowed in her work when questioned. Ivar made no mention of Cinna, so how would she come to that conclusion?

The rest, of course he didn't throw knives near her niece, but she still didn't understand the connection.

Manners and customs of hospitality didn't allow her to refuse even trying food if offered. So even as the cookies were a little burnt on the bottom, she accepted one of them. "Thank you."