With a speed none of them had ever seen from the aging Pope before Pope Lotario dropped to the ground.
His forehead slammed against the floor as he prostrated himself without the slightest hesitation.
"I…I misspoke!"
His voice shook violently as the words spilled out in panic.
"They are yours of course they are yours! Not just them… all of us. This entire kingdom exists to serve you, Your Grace."
His voice was hurried, desperate filled with naked appeasement. Yet. The woman didn't so much as blink.
Not a twitch. Not the slightest change in expression. His desperate oath…Meant nothing. She simply looked down at them with those cold, icy eyes and asked, her voice calm, commanding, and utterly devoid of emotion,
"How did it happen?"
A brief pause. Then…
"...And who were the casualties?"
