Samuel's hand instantly flew to his sword, a blinding, murderous rage exploding from his towering frame—but before the blade could even leave its scabbard, the universe intervened.
Right at that exact, perfectly timed second, the heavy double doors of the main hall were violently thrown open.
Standing at the threshold was a towering, battle-scarred figure radiating a suffocating, bloodthirsty aura that had been forged in decades of war. The Old Marquis had arrived.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" the Grandfather roared, his voice echoing through the hall like a literal thunderclap.
Instantly, every single trace of Heena's ruthless mockery vanished.
As she sat collapsed on the floor, her dark eyes rapidly filled with giant, heavy tears. She covered her rapidly reddening cheek with trembling hands, curling her shoulders inward to make herself look as small and fragile as possible. She looked exactly like a deeply traumatized, violently abused child.
