<div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike Julian, Manuela was relatively good at picking up on the motives behind other people’s words and actions. It might have been due to her being a woman. Women were, after all, expected to understand others. Or it might be because she was used to being left aside by society, standing in the perfect position to watch and draw her conclusions. Whatever the reason was, Manuela was good at picking up on subtle clues, even though she rarely did something with them. For now, though, she was simply enjoying the Bishop’s company, without stopping to analyze his acts and words.<br/><br/>When Julian said that it would not do after her response regarding her parents, Manuela nodded. <br/><br/>“A witch”, Manuela repeated softly when Julian said Rome would have his head if they learned that he was consorting with a witch. For some reason, hearing Julian say that hurt her. It was as though he was someone who, for some reason, should not believe that she was a witch. “I am no witch”, she replied very quietly, in a pained intonation.<br/><br/>“I am sorry you have lost your mother and father”, Manuella said, sincerely. “I have no father, but I know what it feels like to lose your mother to illness”, she completed, her voice even quieter. <br/><br/>Manuela was about to say something more when she heard the knocking on her door. Feeling her heart race, Manuela took a few steps back, her hands trembling. Something within her felt that these knocks could not be a good sign. <br/><br/>When the door was opened, Manuela felt that she was doomed. The sight of all the soldiers made her even more certain that she would be taken, and Lord knew what would be done to her. Probably back to the place she had been taken from. <br/><br/>Seeing the sword be put to her neck made Manuela nearly faint in fear. Would she be killed right away, in her own home? The expression on the lackey’s face and his act of licking his lips made the young woman even more scared, and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She really didn’t feel like being raped or seduced - of course, the lackey would probably say she had consented.<br/><br/>Oddly, the idea of being taken to a dungeon instead of going with the lackey made Manuela let out a relieved breath. Sure, going to a dungeon was not a good and attractive idea, but it was the lesser evil - at least for now.<br/><br/>Manuela would keep quiet and collected as she was led out of her property and into the dungeon. It was almost as though she had seen it coming. She would utter not a word until the heavy door was closed.<br/><br/>Her first words would not be a plea for her life or freedom. Instead, they were directed at Julian.<br/><br/>“I apologize”, she murmured very softly. “It seems as though I have dragged you into trouble with myself”.</div>