He quickly bowed his head, his body trembling in pure, unrestrained fear for his life. The proud noble blood that once surged with arrogance now felt thin, weak, almost poisonous in his veins.
"Empress!" Gange's voice cracked as he pressed his forehead closer to the ground. "This Gange did not mean to question your authority… I was merely voicing an opinion regarding the matter. A heartfelt opinion, nothing more. One that, I presume, lies deeply seated within many of our fellow officials."
Desperation leaked through every syllable. He shifted, his eyes darting like a drowning man searching for a rope, a hand, anything to hold onto.
Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head toward the remaining officials, scanning their faces for some sign of hope—for sympathy, for solidarity, for even the faintest flicker of acknowledgment.
But all he found was an abyss.
