Bella's POV
The searing agony shooting through my fingertips threatened to drag me into unconsciousness. I clenched my teeth, fighting desperately to remain alert.
I locked my gaze on Genevieve and Ivy, my stare sharp enough to cut through steel.
Whether Genevieve's conscience finally stirred, or she simply couldn't bear the weight of my accusatory glare, remained unclear.
Tears pooling in her reddened eyes, Genevieve stepped closer, her voice breaking with manufactured grief, "Bella, this is all my doing. I tried everything, but I couldn't convince Her Majesty to reconsider your fate."
Genevieve quickly dragged Ivy forward, her voice quaking with emotion as she addressed me, "Without Ivy's weapon trade, Her Majesty never would have agreed to substitute finger-piercing for a public flogging. You're in pain, yes, but you're breathing because of her sacrifice..."
