Matthias turned toward the Emperor, his eyes burning with a defiance that suggested he didn't care if the palace fell to ruin around them. "And is the Imperial Family simply to ignore that the Empress attempted to murder a Duchess?" he snarled. "Does the law only—"
He intended to finish his sentence with a declaration of war, but the look in Olivia's eyes stopped him cold. She was staring at him with a raw, paralyzing terror. Before he could utter another syllable, she pressed her palm firmly over his mouth.
"Matthias, stop. I beg of you..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
Turning toward the Emperor, Olivia dropped into a deep, agonizingly formal bow of apology. "I crave your forgiveness, Your Majesty, for my husband's conduct. He is not in his right mind; he did not intend this transgression. And if this is not enough... I shall offer my apologies to Her Majesty as well."
