Faye's POV
"Your Excellency." Abel appeared ready to disappear into the wooden planks beneath his feet. "We must apologize once more. We simply had no knowledge, though that cannot excuse our behavior."
An uncomfortable quiet settled over the room. The scraping of chair legs against wood echoed softly. Heavy boots shuffled across the floor, yet nobody dared raise their gaze to meet Hardy's penetrating stare. This marked far from the first occasion Abel had sought Hardy's pardon. He had actually pleaded for forgiveness the moment we reached the gates. Still, Hardy offered nothing but silence.
