Slowly, Elizabeth pushed herself away from the pillar and dragged her weak body toward the centre of the ruined hall. Every step seemed to echo through the suffocating silence as memories flashed in front of her eyes — of a younger Tressa, innocent and hurting after seeing her own father killing her mother who was trying to protect Elizabeth... of Elizabeth stepping in to protect her, teach her, love her like her own blood — only to have that trust shattered.
When she finally stopped in front of Tressa, she looked down at Tressa, broken, pitiful and for a long moment Elizabeth said nothing.
Finally, Elizabeth spoke, her voice hoarse but steady, "You could have been so much more," she said, her words cutting deeper than any blade "You were loved, you were trusted and you threw it all away for greed... for power..."
Her fists clenched at her sides.
"I don’t pity you, Tressa," Elizabeth continued, her voice gaining strength. "I don’t
