Chapter 130: Shameless
Hazel knelt on the cold marble floor, her slender frame trembling as she bowed her head low. Blood streamed from a cut above her eye, tracing a cruel path down her cheek.
Raves Rodeny's boot pressed firmly against the back of her head, grinding her closer to the ground as gasps and cruel laughter echoed from the circle of nobles gathered around them.
Raves threw his head back with a laugh that cut through the room like a whip.
"Look at her. Flat as a plank and still thinks she's worth something. A filthy Amellia trying to claw her way into our bloodline. Disgusting."
The nobles chuckled, their amusement poorly hidden behind gloved hands and polished fans. Some turned away with feigned scandal while their eyes gleamed with delight.
Hazel stayed silent, pride forcing her to remain bowed even as tears mingled with blood on her face.
From where he stood at the edge of the crowd, Dune's eyes swept across the scene, unblinking.
Then, slowly, his gaze shifted to Atlas.
He stood stiffly beside a marble pillar, black hair falling slightly over his sharp features, purple eyes narrowed, not in confusion, but in restraint.
His jaw was clenched, a vein in his neck twitching with tension. Dune knew him too well. Atlas wasn't afraid... he was holding himself back.
Their eyes met for a moment. Dune could almost feel the weight of the choice pressing down on his friend.