It doesn't take a fool to see what the king was doing, he was cornering her, stripping her of any defense. By framing the situation the way he had, everyone present would inevitably believe that she had been the one to demand punishment for the maids.
Arabella noticed it too. Her jaw tightened, and she gritted her teeth before replying, her voice controlled but firm.
"My king, I don't think this lowly servant of yours could make you do anything."
"Oh?" the king replied, his tone laced with amusement. "But you did, yesterday, when you were crying and telling me the names they called you. Have you forgotten so soon?"
This time, there was no hiding it, he was clearly enjoying how helpless she looked.
His beta simply shook his head in quiet disbelief, while Lord Septimus stood by, a faint, entertained smile playing on his lips.
