The Marquis kept his head down, gritting his teeth so hard he could taste blood from his gums. He was desperate and furious.
In the dark of his own shadow, his eyes were filled with a venomous hate. I will repay this, he thought, his fingers digging into the floor. Julian, because of you… You dare subject your father to this sort of humiliation. You dare use the Duke as a shield to destroy me, even after I raised you. You will pay for this. And as for the Duke, I will see the North burn for this humiliation. I will tell the Emperor that you are a madman.
He kept pleading despite the thoughts swimming in his head.
"I will not go near Julian anymore if that is what you want. I will leave him alone, so please…"
"You'll leave him alone?" Alaric asked, his voice deathly quiet.
