The Council corridor was deserted.
When Morena collapsed against a pillar, her shoulders shaking with uncontrollable sobs. At first she tried to stand up, to wipe away her tears with dignity... but her breath stopped.
She cried her eyes out.
"Breathe…" she whispered to herself.
— Don't show them that it affects you…
—Morena.
She froze.
Lord Kaelthar, her father, stood a few steps away from her. Tall, straight, his face closed by years of politics and compromise.
"I'm fine," she replied dryly without looking at him.
— You can leave.
He approached slowly.
— Morena… my daughter…
This simple sentence cracked the dam.
- Don't call me that! she suddenly shouted, turning around.
— Where were you, huh?!
—When they decided that I should marry the man who raped me?!
Kaelthar clenched his jaw.
— The advisors…
— THE ADVISORS?!
—They didn't listen to anything!
— They spoke of kingdoms, of peace, of clans...
— But never from me!
His voice cracked.
—And you…
"You didn't say anything.
—You left me alone.
— Morena… listen to me—
— NO!
- You abandoned me!
— As always!
She hit the wall with her fist.
- You knew I didn't want this marriage!
"You knew what he did to me!"
Kaelthar took a deep breath.
Then his voice changed.
—That's enough.
Morena stopped abruptly.
— Do you want to know the truth?
—You are in this situation because of yourself.
His words were like blades.
—You attacked Miria.
—You allied yourself with Alastor despite your mutual hatred.
—You put Bryan, Eiden… and even Asher in danger.
—I…I just wanted to—
—And Kira?
—You drugged her.
—You drugged Eiden.
—You forced them for your own benefit.
Morena trembled.
—And when your alliance with Alastor failed…
—You destroyed each other.
— This rape is not excusable.
— But it is the consequence of a game that you started.
A terrible silence ensued.
"You will marry Alastor, Morena.
— Or you will take your family with you in your fall.
He interrupted himself.
— Think carefully about what you are willing to lose.
Then he turned on his heel and left.
Morena collapsed to the ground, pulling her legs against her, burying her face in her knees while her sobs started again, even more violent.