Not just Martha and Bella, but even Anastasia froze at his words—her breath hitching as her head finally lifted to meet his gaze.
Because what he said next… would shatter whatever illusions they had left.
"…Because the truth is—this wasn't just a punishment." His gaze settled on Anastasia, unwavering.
"This place—this so-called Grand Task of yours, my lady… you were sent here to die."
"—!"
They all instantly stiffened, their bodies going rigid as the weight of his words settled upon them like a crushing boulder.
And then... silence.
A deep, suffocating silence.
The three of them were frozen in place, unable to react—unable to even breathe.
Because the truth they had all tried so desperately to ignore... had just been spoken aloud.
Laid bare by the butler's unflinching words.
Anastasia's hands clenched tightly in her lap, her knuckles slowly turning white. Her lips parted slightly as if to speak—but no words would come out.
No denial. No protest. Because... she couldn't.
