"Yes, of course she is beautiful; that is exactly why she stands before us in such a manner. Haha!" Manu's laughter rang out through the hall, a sharp, cold sound that lacked any genuine warmth. He leaned back, his eyes roaming over Iris with an unmasked, predatory admiration. The young girl, however, did not return his gaze. She kept her eyes locked onto the floor, her shoulders trembling slightly as she stared at the dirt beneath her boots, trying to make herself as small as possible.
"So, tell me," Fuyu interceded, stepping forward to draw the girl's attention. His voice was calmer than Manu's, but it carried an undeniable weight of authority. "How have your days been since you came under our shadow? Truly, I wish to know how your life has transformed now that you belong to us."
