The guards seized the snake woman, dragging her backward, but she was still laughing.
"See you in your nightmares, princess!" she called as they hauled her toward the exit. "Sweet dreams!"
The door slammed shut behind her.
"Take them away," the Emperor said quietly, gesturing to the remaining mercenaries. "I've heard enough."
For a moment, I thought it was over. I thought my nightmare was done, and I could finally breathe.
Then the High Chancellor spoke again.
"Bring forth Princess Arabella Valtoria."
The courtroom erupted in whispers.
Arabella entered flanked by guards, looking like she was walking to her own execution. Her hands were bound, not with chains like the mercenaries, but with silk cords.
She kept her eyes down, her golden hair falling forward to partially obscure her face. But I could see her shoulders shaking. Could see the tears already streaming down her cheeks.
The whispers grew louder.
"Taking your own daughter to trial?"
"How callous."
