Chapter 96: The Punishment.
"My prince, I only... I was only trying to... to assist your wife," she stammered, trying to muster some semblance of confidence.
Alaric’s expression didn’t soften in the slightest. "Assist her?" he repeated, his tone laced with barely restrained disgust. "By humiliating her? By assaulting her in my absence?"
He drew in closer, and she could see every harsh line of his face, could feel the cold fury radiating off him.
She felt small, insignificant, like the mere maid she was, and yet she couldn’t resist a final, desperate attempt.
"Forgive me, my prince," she whispered, lowering her gaze to appear demure. "I didn’t mean to upset you. I only thought... perhaps you deserved someone who could... understand you."
He tilted his head, a humorless smile ghosting his lips as he observed her, and Priscilla’s pulse quickened. She’d seen that look before, the detached amusement he wore when entertaining fools at court.
"And you believe you could be that someone?" he murmured, his voice so soft it was almost gentle, though his eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge.
"Yes, your grace," she whispered, leaning in ever so slightly, hoping against hope that he would see her differently if she showed her devotion.
He lifted a brow, his gaze piercing straight through her. "Understand me? You presume to know me?" His voice dropped to a menacing murmur. "You are nothing but a disloyal maid who dared to strike the woman I cherish."