{Elira}
~**^**~
The princess stilled, her smile faltering at the edge.
"You will explain to me," Zenon continued, his tone cutting through the air like a blade, "on what grounds you and your council saw fit to humiliate a student publicly, then assign punishment despite her compliance."
I sat frozen, my heart thundering so loud I was sure both of them could hear it. I had never seen anyone speak to Kaelis like that. Not a professor. Not anyone.
I didn't even think it was possible.
Kaelis's fingers twitched where they rested on her knee, but her smile slid back into place like a mask. "Perhaps the council simply felt Miss Shaw needed… a reminder of her place."
Zenon leaned forward slightly, his presence filling the room like an invisible force. "Her place is in this academy, as a student under my instruction. Not beneath your heel."
