Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 123: Sloppy job

Marthio reached for the silver pitcher on the table, his hand steady as he poured himself a generous cup of wine. The rich, dark liquid swirled inside the goblet as he filled it, the silence between them growing heavier. He didn't look at Valeria as he leaned back into his chair, bringing the cup to his lips and taking a long, slow sip. The bitter taste lingered on his tongue, much like the bitterness in his heart.

"I had hoped," Marthio began, his voice cold and deliberate, "that for once, you wouldn't disappoint me. That you would put aside your petty desires and actually work for the good of our house." His green eyes flickered toward her, sharp and piercing. "But I was wrong."

Valeria's lips parted, her heart racing. "Father, I—"

Marthio slammed the cup down on the table with a force that silenced her immediately. "No." His tone was absolute, "I trusted you to guide Mesha and further our interest. And instead, you've turned it into a disaster. You've made a mockery of our name."

Valeria opened her mouth to defend herself, her thoughts racing for something, anything that could lessen the blow. "I was only trying to—"

"I don't care what you were trying to do!You've failed. You've failed as a mother, you've failed as a ruler, and most of all, you've just failed.There is no side you can watch this and think she did a good job on that or she did not fail miserably here..."

The words hit her like a slap. Her eyes widened, and for a brief moment, she felt as though the floor beneath her might collapse.