Galen shook his head faintly. "I doubt she will. She would have learned her lesson by now."
Halric let out a tired sigh and leaned back against the cushioned seat, folding his hands over his stomach. "In a few years, when Elka is finally queen, she will understand that everything I have done was for the good of this family. She will understand why a firmer hand was necessary to discipline her and she will come to appreciate it." His voice held a tone of certainty, as though he truly believed the cruelty he had inflicted over the years would one day be remembered kindly.
After that, no further words were exchanged. The silence returned.
Moments later, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. The sudden jolt threw them forward slightly in their seats. Halric frowned. They were still a fair distance from home, there was no reason to have stopped.
He rapped his knuckles sharply twice against the ceiling of the carriage.
