SAMANTHA
I was momentarily startled and turned to face the source of the voice. It was Finnian. He approached me with an unhurried stride, while John trailed behind him, his expression a mixture of caution and terror. The way John cowered behind Finnian was almost pathetic. The same man who had stood in the main hall, so confident and smug, now looked like a frightened puppy.
Amanda, upon seeing Finnian, paled with fear. Her confidence drained away, leaving her trembling and speechless. The glossy sheen of her perfect appearance suddenly seemed hollow, a mask that couldn't hide the terror in her eyes. I couldn't help but let out a mocking chuckle at Amanda's sudden cowardice. I wondered how she would wriggle her way out of this mess. She had slandered a prince and had been caught in the act. Whether this was dismissed as a minor indiscretion or taken as a grave offense depended entirely on whether Finnian decided to hold her accountable.
