King Gideon's expression darkened the moment he took in Jaron's battered form. His nostrils flared, his voice booming through the dungeon.
"What is this nonsense?" the king bellowed.
Salviana flinched at the sudden outburst, her fingers instinctively curling into the fabric of her dress. Alaric noticed. Without thinking, his hand found hers, squeezing it gently. A silent reassurance.
"That," Alaric said coldly, "is the fool who abducted, kept, and nearly killed my wife."
Gideon's gaze flicked between Jaron's bruised face and Alaric's icy composure. There was no sympathy in the demon prince's voice — only raw, restrained fury.
"He should be hanged."
Jaron let out a weak, incredulous laugh, his voice hoarse but still carrying a streak of arrogance.
Prince Spencer — the one-eyed second prince — stepped forward, his expression carved from stone. His single eye seemed to bore straight into Jaron's soul.