Chapter 657: Accusations
Elise stood from her seat, gripping the edge of the obsidian table so hard that her knuckles turned white. Tears welled up in her eyes, the rest of the room tensing.
"Trusting the gods cost me everything," she whispered. "My soul, my freedom, my purity...my family. Now, they want you to sacrifice the same. Don’t let them. Don’t try and fight the demons."
Undill exchanged a look with Father Ithris, who gave a slight shake of his head.
"Your case was...regretful, but the king of Brithlite was within his rights. Your family promised you to his son, and with his untimely death, it became incumbent on him to fulfill the treaty. However, don’t try to play your lascivious nature on the church. The gods don’t care if you sleep with one, or a hundred, so long as you do their will," Undill said.
Her voice could have frozen fire. Elise squeezed her eyes shut, quivering uncontrollably. I reached out, placing a hand over hers. It was cold, sucking the warmth from my body.
"You know nothing of which you speak," I said softly. "Who was it that gave Brithlite the soul crest? Who was it that carried on their work after the kingdom fell?"
"You have no place to speak here, filthblood," Undill spat. "We are speaking of the empire, not Brithlite. Save your emotional rhetoric for a more unprofessional setting."
"I-It’s okay," Elise said, catching her breath. She gave me a tight smile. "I got this."
I hesitated, chewing on my lip, but sank back down. She also returned to her seat, but kept a tight hold of my hand under the table.
"Forgive my lapse," she said, inclining her head to Grand Duke Barther. "As the representatives of the church have pointed out, I am still inexperienced in these matters."
Barther raised his hand, eyes searching her intently. "It’s alright. I believe I understand something of what afflicts you. But please, continue. I sense there is something more you have to tell us. I will make my decision then."