"You, have you summoned everyone here already?" Wang Xiao's voice broke through the heavy silence, pulling Elara from her repulsion.
"Huh?" The sudden question startled her, drawing her gaze back to him.
With a slight shake of her head and removing her hand from her mouth, Elara replied, her voice carrying a bitter edge, "Not everyone. The princesses from the allied nations destined to arrive have not yet made their appearance. Messengers have already been dispatched to escort them here; we only await the New Lord's confirmation."
Wang Xiao nodded, casting another evaluative look at Elara. Despite the horrors that had just unfolded, he had to admit she was handling her responsibilities well. Since her 'initial baptism' into this brutal new reality, she had proven herself capable.
As Wang Xiao's gaze shifted back to the women kneeling on the ground, a collective gasp of terror escaped them.
