Chapter 36

• Hadrian snapped his fingers, and within a heartbeat, two servants entered the courtroom carrying an enormous wooden chair. They placed it ceremoniously in the center of the room, its grandeur commanding immediate attention. Turning back to me, Hadrian extended his hand, his courteous smile warm yet authoritative. My throat tightened as I swallowed nervously, but I placed my hand in his, allowing him to guide me to the witness chair.
• The moment I settled into the seat, an overwhelming sense of smallness washed over me. The chair's towering back loomed nearly two feet above my head, and its sheer size rendered me unable to reach its backrest even when I perched fully on the edge. My legs dangled, suspended in the air, and I knew how ridiculous I must have appeared. Still, I straightened my posture, my back rigid, my chin lifted high, and my eyes steady, trying to exude an air of poise.
• Hadrian's reassuring smile flickered briefly in my direction, a subtle gesture meant to steady my nerves. Drawing a deep breath, I willed myself to focus.