"So… what you're telling me," Zalyric said, his voice cold and sharp, "is that you two are close with him? Did I get that right?"
His words echoed through the large, quiet audience chamber. There, Zalyric sat with calm authority, back straight and expression unreadable, looking every bit the strict and imposing king. Just his gaze alone made Ruth's body tremble. Her knees weakened as she bowed even lower, staring only at the polished floor because she didn't dare meet his eyes.
"W-we've been… hanging out a lot, Your Majesty," Ruth stammered, voice shaking so hard she almost swallowed half her words. "A-and you might not know this, b-but Sir R–Rowan— I mean, H-His Highness is actually q-quite close with the servants h-here in the palace. I-it was also because of him that I wasn't… b-being discriminated against among the staff anymore."
