Overlord: When Human Meets Inhuman

Chapter 30: Mark's testimony

I've heard every testimony, except two so far. 

"Thank you, Lupusregina."

And everyone said I'm guilty, so far.

"I believe it's my turn to talk about what Shalltear has done, and to give my opinions." Lord Ainz says in a brooding tone. 

I can't bear to hear Lord Ainz's testimony…I've been in here for minutes, hours, I don't know. I just want this to end.

"Shalltear." 

That felt like a stab to the heart… 

"You orchestrated a plan to kidnap one of my servants, so you could carry out whichever deplorable actions you desired on him. And for a couple of weeks, your plan worked smoothly. But thanks to Lupusregina's thorough and accurate search, and with Narberal's help, she was able to find our…missing vampire. The scars on his body proved, and still prove, what you did. Mark was also kind enough to put his pride aside and tell me what happened during those two weeks, in detail." 

Oh…no…dammit… 

"I-in…detail?" I stutter. 
"Yes, Shalltear. He didn't leave out a single thing." 

I'm…I'm done for…

"After the fight, Shalltear, a few weeks passed. Mark woke up after a week or so, and…let's say it took me my best persuasion skills to convince him to go and see you earlier, let alone to attend your trial. In light of what has been said to me, in light of what the people here have said so far, and in light of what you did…I consider you guilty." 

I can't take this anymore…please, somebody end this. End me, I don't care. I can't do this.

I kneel down and bury my face in my hands. I start crying uncontrollably, for seconds, minutes, I don't know. At this point, it doesn't matter anymore. After I'm done, and when I say "done" I mean I have no tears left to cry, I don't get up, I stay on the ground. I sit down and bury my head in my legs. 
"Shalltear. Get up." 
I start shaking visibly as I try to stand up, but my legs don't hold me and I tumble to the floor face first with a scream.
"Listen to the King, Shalltear." I hear Mark's furious voice to my right. 

I can't do this…I don't have the strength, or the courage to…I'm weak. I'm useless. And I'm an idiot.

I hastily get up and wipe my eyes clean, and I use every bit of energy I have left to stand straight. 
"Mark, if you don't want to testify, you don't have to. I think Shalltear's fate has already been decided." Lord Ainz says. As I take a sideways look at Mark, I see him raising an eyebrow. A pleased look then forms on his face, accompanied by an imperceptible grin.

But I noticed it. He's going to have fun with me, and he knows I know.

"If you don't mind, your majesty, I'd like to testify anyway. There are some things I need to get out of my chest." Mark says gloomily and walks in the middle of the room, a few meters away from me. He then stares me down, not taking his eyes off me for a second.
"Very well then. Please proceed." Lord Ainz says gesturing Mark to start.
"Thank you, your majesty." 
Mark takes a look at everybody in the room, one person at a time. His red eyes then focus back on me. On mine.
"Your majesty, I'd like to ask Shalltear to keep her eyes on me, as I speak." 

No…he knows very well I can't…not only is he going to kill me verbally, but also psychologically. He's being very vindictive...

"Hm. Shalltear, do as he says." 

Shit… 

"What else do you want from me? You took away my pride, my dignity, my happiness, you took away my goals, you took away…everything. And now you want to humiliate me?" I snap and clench my fists, keeping my head down. Then an unnatural silence fills the room: I can only hear the sound of my own heart pounding in my chest.
"Don't talk to me like that, Shalltear. Show some respect. And look at me. If I see you taking my eyes off me, I'll stop talking and wait until you look at me again. Understood?"