"It is treason veiled in righteousness."
The dowager's words fell like frost, coating the hall in stillness. The threat was subtle, but it clung to every syllable, telling that Leroy was not merely ungrateful, he was dangerous. Dangerous enough, perhaps, to warrant punishment.
The Dowager's lips curved in something that was not quite a smile. "I loved you as a mother once, Leroy. But even a mother cannot abide a son who forgets his Emperor."
And with that, she retook her seat, leaving her accusation to writhe in the silence, a coiled serpent at Leroy's feet.
Leroy clenched his fists at his side. He wanted to ask if that was why she allowed the death of her other sons.
He hid the bitter laugh that dared to escape his mouth. Here he thought that the dowager had been tied to help the sons who were murdered by the one on the throne, that she was helpless. But she had allowed her other sons to die, to protect her firstborn.
