Ren's smile vanished, replaced by a mask of terror so convincing it could've won a battle. Her eyes widened, her voice trembling with false desperation. "Oh, sister… please! Not now. Don't tell them. We're at war. I had to behave like that because you know, my husband is too brutal. He beats me."
Arkilla hardly killed her laughter. But, unbelievably this little wench was touched!
Araben's eyes sparkled with cruel delight. She yanked her hands back and cast a smug glance at her mother, who stood a few paces away, offering bitter smiles and brittle greetings to the other royals.
"Fine," Araben said, her voice dipped in poison. "I won't. No, maybe, if your husband begs me, I rethink."
"I'll talk to him. Please, just don't tell anybody."
She gave her a wicked nod and left.
