Despite the warm torchlight flickering across the polished marble, the grand hall was silent and cold. The Queen knelt on the floor, her robes pooled around her like a defeated banner. Her forehead touched the stone and her shoulders drew in submission.
The King stood at the chamber's far end, his voice thunderous with fury.
"How could you allow such a disgrace to happen in your presence?" he demanded, his words echoing in the vaulted ceilings. "A scandal in the harem, in front of nobles, servants, and guests and you stood there?"
The Queen did not look up. Her voice was soft but humble.
"Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness. The fault is mine. I accept full responsibility for everything that occurred."
The King's eyes burned with indignation.
"All this… over a car?" he scoffed. "Did the Crown Princess have to behave with such cruelty? This was not a simple mishap. This was inhuman. To endanger a royal child, an unborn prince, is an unthinkable act."
He turned, pacing.
