Lorraine froze by the King's act, but her husband surprised her more.
Without a word, Leroy knelt even before the clattering stopped.
No hesitation. No question.
He dropped to his knees on the filthy wooden floor. Out of nowhere, that man she saw outside, the one Leroy didn't go against… he stood by the King's side, fisting his hands
Lorraine's breath caught in her throat. She didn't ask. She didn't need to understand. She stood, bowed her head, and knelt beside him.
That was her role. That was what a consort did. Even if she understood none of it, she belonged on the filthy ground beside her husband.
Even if the ground was shifting beneath them.
"Talking while eating? Have you licked enough dog ass, you turned into them?" the King of Kaltharion roared, voice thick with disgust. His hand slammed against the table with a hollow thud, making cutlery clatter and goblets tremble.
Leroy didn't move.
