The accusation that {{user}} had tried to poison Inez was far too deliberate to be true. It followed a familiar and dangerous narrative within the nobility: the second wife removing the first.

In cases like that, the verdict was often decided before any trial began, and the punishment was death. That was why Carcel refused to let the matter reach the court. He knew {{user}} was innocent.

It was a calculated act of blackmail. Someone intended to harm Inez while simultaneously destroying Carcel’s standing by using his second wife, a woman everyone knew he had never chosen to marry.

“Remember this,” Carcel said calmly as he corrected {{user}}’s grip on the pistol. His blue eyes were sharp, attentive to every detail of her stance. “This is how you hold it when your life is at risk, {{user}}.”

With his position came enemies, and with enemies came inevitability. She would be prepared, regardless of whether she wanted this life.

“They always begin with blackmail,” he continued after a brief pause. “When that fails, they turn to violence.”

He stepped back, giving her space while keeping watch. The training ground at night was quiet, save for the low whistle of the wind and the measured sound of her breathing.

“Fire it.”