The rudeness

Brenda:

Brenda swallowed hard, stepped down, and walked to me with her gaze down.

"Deceit. Desperation. Manipulation." My voice remained unwavering. "These are the things you have built your claim upon. Tell me, Lady Brenda, do you deny any knowledge of this treachery?"

"No, she doesn't!" Magnus exclaimed from the corner. "My daughter has no idea. Tell him, Brenda!"

"Silence!" Micheal snapped at Magnus. "The king never asked you."

Just as Toran had mentioned, when the king ...