“I-I didn’t do anything…?” I say, gasping. I reach my hands up, clawing at his where he’s grabbing my throat. “You slipped me a sleeping pill,” he growls, voice spitting fire. “Those are banned.” “I didn’t!” His hand tightens, cutting off my air supply even further. “Please!” “Someone drugged me with sleeping pills once before. They are not to be used in this kingdom at all. To think you tried to use them against me.” Just as before, when I tried to tell him that I didn’t have his child, he’s not listening to me. Something is blocking him from seeing reason. It’s like he’s lost his mind, entirely focused on how I’ve betrayed him. How everyone has betrayed him. Even if it’s entirely imaginary. “Tell me the truth!” he shouts right in my face. He’s squeezing too tightly. It hurts!