Alaric's fingers tapped lightly against the arm of his chair, the sound echoing sharply through the silence of the throne hall. His cold gaze remained fixed on the lowly footman standing before him, while a faint curl touched his lips.
"You must have assumed I was foolish," he said at last, his voice low and edged with menace. "That I would not see through what is happening in my own palace."
The words hung in the air like a blade and Rowan clenched his jaw, keeping his eyes lowered to the floor.
"Did you think I would remain ignorant?" Alaric pressed sharply, his tone cutting through the hall with ease.Then, as though granting a final mercy that was never truly merciful, he leaned slightly back. "I will give you one last chance. Where was Rosalind yesterday night?"
