Chapter 236: The Judgment
Alaric’s brows furrowed, his frown deepening into a scowl. He took a deliberate step toward Margaretha, his imposing figure casting a shadow over her smaller frame.
"Are you suggesting," he began, his voice low and laced with menace, "that I don’t know how to conduct a search?"
Margaretha froze, her lips parting but no sound coming out.
"Or," he continued, his tone sharpening like a blade, "are you accusing me of lying to this court?"
The air grew thick with tension as Margaretha’s confidence visibly crumbled. She gulped, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "N-no, Your Highness. I would never..."
"Good," Alaric interrupted, his voice steady but with an edge that promised consequences. He turned his back on her dismissively. "Because I don’t take kindly to baseless accusations."
Behind him, Salviana and Jean exchanged relieved but wary glances. Jean’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but the tension in her shoulders remained. It isn’t over yet.
Margaretha’s face flushed with humiliation as the guards moved back, following Alaric’s lead. The group turned and began the walk back to the royal court.
Margaretha was dragged along, her protests growing louder as they marched down the hall.