After Beatrice finished speaking, the room fell into a heavy silence.
Eveline looked at the three girls for a long moment. Her face was no longer soft or sympathetic. It was serious now, disappointed even.
She stepped closer.
"Explain yourselves," she said firmly.
No one spoke at first.
Then Ymir suddenly broke down. She covered her face with both hands and started crying harder than before.
"I didn't want to do it," she sobbed.
Kaia shot her a sharp look. "Shut up," she hissed under her breath.
That was enough.
Eveline closed her eyes for a second and sighed. She did not even need to keep questioning them. The act was falling apart right in front of her.
"Why did you do it?" she asked calmly, but her tone carried the weight of her barely concealed anger.
"You understand that falsely accusing someone of assault is a serious offense," she continued. "Accusing him of raping all three of you could have ruined his life. This is grounds for expulsion."
