Chapter 38: Brutal, absolute and tyrannical
Celine felt it, the true paralyzing fear as standing before her was Estefan Angeras, it wasn’t just a man she faced but rather a force that radiated death or at least that’s what it felt like to her. The aura was oppressive, suffocating and it was aimed directly at her.
She stood frozen as her breath caught in her throat. For the first time in years she was speechless not because she didn’t have something to say, but because she feared that even a single misplaced word might result in her death.
Estefan, who remained unfazed, calmly returned to his seat, his tone icy and unbothered. "Your uncle’s offer." He began, relaxing on the couch, "I reject it."
He paused deliberately before continuing, "To be honest, I should be the one offering to make you my dog, considering how absurd that deal was. But I won’t judge. After all, criminals like you have always lacked shame."
He then gestured casually toward the coffee on the teapoy. "Drink so you can calm down before you drop dead from stress."
He didn’t bother to hide the mockery in his voice since he had won utterly in this conversation they were having and he wanted her to feel it.
Celine turned silently, walking away without a word. Her pride was shattered and her tongue, once her most dangerous weapon, now felt like a noose she had nearly hung herself with.
As she approached the grand exit of the palace, Estefan threw one last dagger behind her. "Careful not to trip on your own tongue. It’s longer than your usefulness."
He leaned back, interlocking his hands behind his head as he stared up at the palace ceiling. "I really did expect something more worthwhile. Maybe even some real information in exchange for peace... but it seems they still don’t understand their place."
At his side, Galliard stepped forward, still reeling from the tension left in the room. "My lord, shall we expect more guests today?"
Estefan shook his head. "No. That’ll be the last of them."