Madam Beckett let out a slow sigh.
"Why apologize?" she murmured. "You did nothing wrong. You did not betray your master."
Only then did she turn her head slightly. A bitter smile curved her lips as she reached down and lifted Maximilian's chin.
"You merely decided that this old woman who raised you," she continued softly, "was not deserving of that same loyalty."
His breath hitched. "That's not true."
"Isn't it?" Her fingers withdrew.
"But why?" Maximilian pressed, desperation cracking through his composure. "Why attack Mr. Ryley all of a sudden? You were warm to him. You supported him. What changed? What did he do wrong?"
Madam Beckett rose without answering.
The faint scrape of her cane against the floor echoed as she walked toward the window again.
For a moment, she said nothing. Then, she muttered quietly, "The only thing he did wrong… was thinking he could still take prisoners."
Maximilian froze when the words settled in.
"Get up."
