Arthur watched their panic with no expression. Amazing how quickly pride evaporated when survival was at stake.
"You should have thought about your family before insulting the person protecting you and by extension them," he replied, his tone carrying no sympathy.
"Please!"
The lead protester dropped to his knees. "I was wrong! I was stupid! But don't let my children pay for my mistake!"
Tears streamed down his face. Around him, his companions joined the desperate chorus of pleas.
Arthur remained unmoved.
These men had chosen their path when they decided to attack Jasmine's legitimacy.
Natural consequences were often the best teachers.
But movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention.
Jasmine stepped forward, her golden-silver eyes studying the kneeling figures with an expression Arthur couldn't quite read.
She sighed deeply, the sound carrying weight that seemed disproportionate to the situation.
"Let them go."
