s what,

he thing I asked you to get for me? I don't see it on you

He sat silently at the far end of the ta

she did the errand I'd asked her to do. Is that so bad?"

yet, so I've returned e

on in the air. "How sad," she je

ven the smallest sign of defense, bu

utensils filling the air, and

garden." Celene leaned back, one perfectly manicured hand resting on he

already closed." Celene's expression didn't falter. "Not my probl

subdue my rage. I opened my mouth to protest, but t

family's wealth had grown his struggling business into w

y nails digging into my palms as I forced myself

e. I turned to leave, but Celene's voice stoppe

vered as memories of Elain

d the door, and moments lat

er voice trembling. "Elaine, the timber merchant's dau

led throug

, first with horror a

vant replied. "Near the

ught as Celene's gaze snapped to me, her eye

e, weren't you

voice

esent at the time, ma'am," the servant add

r than the last. "And look at her-there's blood on her clothes!" She pointed, her wild acc

lodging deeper than the last. I couldn't argue. The fa

e snarled, slamming her

, the faint tremor betraying his guilt. A pang of bitter disappointment settled in my chest,

ars stingi