Apologize.
On his knees. Before a slave… not just anyone but Arianna Greystone?
"Your Grace, with all due respect, I did nothing wrong here. She is—"
"Mine," Duncan cut him off. "You touched what belongs to the King."
"She attacked me first, Your Grace."
"Do you think I give a f**k about that, Toran Venis?" The way Duncan dragged out the last name made his irritation clear... Hinting a deadly warning.
Not long ago, Toran had his father and sister punished. It was just a breath away before his turn would come.
Toran understood that fact too well. Clenching his jaw, he lifted his gaze to Arianna, whose expression still burned with anger.
The other elites remained quiet, keeping their distance. The tension in the air was thick, suffocating.
Then, slowly, Toran lowered himself to the
