Chapter 173

Third Person's POV

Duke softened his voice, mistaking the silence in Thalia's eyes for lingering trauma. "This isn't meant to shame you," he said gently, sliding the polished golden sigil across the table. "I truly want to make things right."

Thalia slowly raised her gaze, tear-filled eyes shimmering with watery light. Her fragile, pitiful face looked like it had endured the cruelest injustice.