Page 163 of Brutal Crown

“No! No, no…”

Lia covers her mouth, horror flashing across her face. I hold her protectively, shielding her from the crowd closing in.

As they bundle Antonio toward the door, Silvia tries to walk after them, but Elena holds her back firmly. She struggles against her mother’s grip, the fabric of her gown tearing slightly as she tries to move, but Antonio is already being pulled out of the door.

The guests murmur, some backing away, others frozen, unsure whether to stay or leave.

“This is what happens to servants who forget their place.”

Giovanni’s final words land like a thud in an empty room.

Silvia flinches like she was slapped. Her mouth parts, but no word comes out.

Giovanni says nothing else. He leaves without another word, his wife following him like a shadow, leaving Silvia standing frozen in the middle of the grand hall, her body trembling slightly.

It isn’t until the doors slam shut that sound begins to trickle back into the room. Hushed murmurs, the clinking of glasses, and finally, the music resumes.

Silvia doesn’t move for a few more seconds.

Then her hands curl into fists at her sides, and she lifts her chin and blinks back her tears before calmly returning to her seat like nothing happened.

“Is… she okay?” Lia whispers beside me.

I sigh. “We’ll see.”

When she takes her seat, some of the guests lean in to whisper things to her, probably their concerns or curiosities. She responds to them with a smile and a few words.

But I know that smile. I’ve seen it a million times, just like I recognize the perfect porcelain mask over her face.

She might be smiling for the guests now, but inside, something in her heart just died.

THE END