When They Beg, I Rise!

Asher rushed into the hallway just as Lemira was about to leave.

"Lemira, wait up!"

"If your words mean nothing, then there's no reason for me to stay," Lemira retorted, her tone icy.

Asher's expression hardened, and he forced out, "I must have misheard earlier. I thought it was you who started the fight."

If Lemira left now, what would happen with Caspian and Alaric? He couldn't afford to carry that burden.

Lemira's lips twisted into a cold smile. "Did you mishear, or did someone deliberately twist the truth?"

Asher's tone grew softer. "Does it really matter?"

"It does matter. You all love sweeping things under the rug, but I'm done with that. We need to clear this up."

Just as Lemira finished speaking, Caspian dragged Evelina into the room.

Caspian glared at Evelina. "So, what exactly did you tell Asher earlier? Repeat it."

Evelina sheepishly glanced at Asher. "Asher, I never said Lemmy hit me."

it outright,

Lemira, "I guess I misheard. Is that

Lucian interjected, stepping in. "You assumed Lemira was at fault, and that's on you. She's been wronged

reluctant. He was Asher, after

hesitation, Evelina quickly added, "It's really my fault. I misled Asher, which caused all this.

Evelina take the blame, Asher felt somewhat relieved.

girl approached her with feigned sincerity and swiftly slapped

Evelina was stunned.

you're admitting fault. Slapping you is for your

"For my

ambiguous. It easily leads to misunderstandings. It's not a good habit. I'm just helping

Evelina back to her feet, her voice dripping with faux kindness.

I don't want to

to do this again."

side of Lemira was even more unnerving. What was

to

helped you up, which shows she wants to

anything but conciliatory, but with Asher's stance, she didn't