Chapter 432: Accusation
She didn’t need more prompting. Seeing Naira’s expression made her choice clear. It was the first time she’d seen that look since Naira’s father died. Her own lips trembled before she managed a firm nod.
"I’ll go too," Taigi said. Her voice was quiet but steady. "If you’ll have me, I’ll come."
She turned her gaze back to the elders. Her eyes, usually lowered in subservience, were now direct and devoid of submission.
"Varek was the leader, yes," Taigi began. "But all four of you loved living under his rule. You ate the best food, had servants tend to your every need, and you never raised a single voice when Varek was being cruel or unreasonable."
The elders immediately started protesting, their wrinkled faces contorting in denial.
Taigi didn’t stop.
She closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her resolve, before continuing. "But that’s not all. You enjoyed the new freedom you were granted under that man. Varek had six women in his harem, the ones he liked the most."
She sent a glance toward the small group of women huddled together, who had knelt behind Varek at the feast like silent trophies. Their sole reason for existence was to boost the image of the leader. "They were off limits. Only to be touched by Varek himself."
Her teeth gritted together as she forced herself to continue. "But nearly every single other woman in the longhouse was fair game for Varek and his favorites... and for you." A memory forced itself into her mind, and she shut her eyes briefly. She, too, was a woman in the longhouse.
Naira gasped at Taigi’s side, forced to realize that her best friend had been violated. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she rushed to hug her friend tightly. Taigi hugged back, but her eyes were dry, focused solely on the elders.