I could feel Kevin's gaze on me, firm and approving. But his affirmation brought me no comfort because even I didn't fully believe the words I just said.
"Your Highness, you can't punish me without evidence. This is forced confession through torture!"
The housekeeper finally found her voice, shouting defiantly in my direction. Those two slaps might have clarified who held authority here, but not enough for her to show respect. What gave her this audacity?
Anthony seemed uneasy, looking between me and Kevin for guidance.
"She didn't exactly teach me," Anthony stammered. "I did it to make her happy... to make them all happy."
Ah, a collective crime. And Anthony had been conditioned to comply, like Pavlov's dog.
But Anthony wasn't a dog. He was a person.
I clenched my fists, suppressin
