A Game of Deception

While he was left behind in confusion, Sylas raised what he claimed to be the "evidence"—a small recorder in his hand.

Rocco narrowed his eyes, wondering if this was another fabrication, but then he gasped in shock.

What was playing on the recorder was incredibly familiar.

"—I should have never given birth to you!"

The voice of his mother echoed throughout the hall, and in that instant, the murmuring crowd fell silent.

The silence seemed to hang in the air as his mother's voice rang out again, two or three more times, each time with a different shade of emotion flickering across the faces of the nobles.

Some looked uncomfortable, others shocked.

The same was true for the king sitting in the high seat.

Upon closer inspection, Rocco realized that the recording wasn't just of his mother's words directed at him.

There were also words she had screamed at Sylas.

Many of the lines seemed cut out of context.