"Do not take a single step away from me, Loriel," King Alexander said. "I have not granted you permission to leave just yet. You will not leave until I am finished with my query, and thankfully, I only have one. What did you do?"
Loriel flinched for a moment but quickly raised his gaze despite himself. Even if King Alexander was a powerful man, surely it was better for him to not know, right?
Loriel was sure that he'd be in more trouble if his father-in-law realized what happened.
Loriel stood up and tried to speak with him on the level of them both being rulers. "Your Majesty… it is only a quarrel between husband and wife. I am sure that you understand—"
"Silence," King Alexander said.
Loriel found his lips sealing as if they were sewn together. He watched King Alexander rub his forehead and sigh aloud. "It seems that Elise has decided to leave you, but why has she not come here?"
Loriel tried to speak but couldn't.
