Amaris flinched at his words, her heart sinking under the weight of his anger. 'So all of this... is solely because of me?'
The realization struck her like a thunderbolt, and without thinking, she dropped to the ground, bowing before him. "Your Majesty, my king! Have mercy!" she cried, her voice trembling as she clenched her bloodstained bandaged hands, fearing for the lives of those accused. Alaric flinched at her sudden submission, her plea stirring something deep within him.
"Let them go and get them out of my sight!" he ordered sharply, surprising her with the fervor in his voice.
But Alaric wasn't finished yet. In a swift motion, he grabbed her by the arm and lifted her to her feet, frustration etched across his face. Amaris could see the internal struggle within him, and she knew
