For a moment, Eleanor said nothing. Then she laughed, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.
"Inform the Queen that I will come when I'm ready."
"She said now."
At that, Eleanor's expression sharpened. She turned to the Queen's servant.
"Do you forget where you are? You dare demand something of me?"
"I meant no offense, Your Highness," the girl said, bowing deeply.
Eleanor's eyes narrowed.
"Lock her up in the backyard. Let her learn to speak with respect. And send someone to tell Emilia I will come when I'm less busy."
Missy bowed and moved to obey.
Eleanor leaned back into her chair and sliced into her cake, but the sweetness on her tongue was laced with bitterness instead.
Emilia dared give me orders? We'll see how long she lasts.
She thought silently.
---
Eleanor arrived at the Golden Palace about thirty minutes later, dressed in a floor-length gown laced with gold, despite knowing it was a violation of harem etiquette.
Only the Queen is permitted to wear such luxury, but Eleanor strides in with her chin high, clearly unfazed.
The Gold Palace is even more breathtaking than she imagined. Massive pillars rise toward a domed ceiling painted with golden leaves. Dozens of guards line the steps, and servants in shimmering uniforms bow in silent deference. It is the world she always dreamed of ruling.
Eleanor stood at the entrance and waited impatiently for the Queen to acknowledge her presence and summon her in.
"Let her in," Emilia's voice echoed calmly from within.
The doors open, revealing Emilia seated on a throne gilded in real gold; the table and everything else in the huge room glitters in gold. Her long cotton gown flowed around her like liquid ivory, and even her maids wore custom robes, distinct from the rest of the palace staff. The opulence made Eleanor's face sour, especially the golden cutlery set delicately before her.
Eleanor couldn't take her eyes off Emilia's seat and wished she could take it from her and sit in it.
She turned her head slightly and noticed Catherine, sitting quietly in a corner, until Missy nudged her to bow.
Catherine looked pale and weak, her usually sharp eyes dulled by exhaustion. Eleanor ignored her and offered only the barest nod to Emilia.
"You asked to see me… Your Majesty," Eleanor said stiffly, the final words forced from her lips.
Emilia scoffed at her rudeness. She didn't expect Eleanor to acknowledge her but didn't think she would disregard the rules so easily as well.
Emilia's eyes glinted as she leaned back. She originally wanted to think of ways to escape from the palace before Lucas woke up, but thought about it. Running away wouldn't help her in any way and that would simply be exposing herself at the hands of enemies.
Since Lucas has decided to keep the incident a secret, then she might as well do something good for Catherine, just for her mother's sake.
"Did you beat concubine Catherine for several days and lock her up without food?" Emilia asked and Eleanor rolled her eyes at Catherine.
"So what if I do?" she replied and Emilia smirked at her attitude of admitting without a care.
"What is her crime?" she asked and Eleanor sighed.
"She… is just a shameless woman who threw herself on the King's bed."
"Why do I need to explain to you why I punished her?" she retorted.
"Is that so?" Emilia muttered, not very surprised by her insolence.
Emilia was returning from the King's quarter when she heard a ruckus outside and was surprised to see Emily, who was sent to serve Catherine after the new decree was made, crying and begging her to save her mistress.
According to her, Catherine had been locked up and tortured ever since she was arrested in the King's chambers and even after the edict, Eleanor continued to lock her up and punish her.
"Kneel," she said smoothly.
Eleanor flinched. She wanted to be sure she heard her right and raised her brow.
"What did you say…your Majesty?"
"You heard me," Emilia replied, her tone still calm, but her gaze sharpened as she glanced at Alice.
"Do you want to do so willing or should I make you?"
Rage flickered in Eleanor's eyes, but she knew better than to defy Emilia here. She hesitated, her jaw clenched, then slowly lowered herself to her knees, seething inside.
"What is my offense, Your Majesty?" she grit out.
"You've lived in this palace for a while now, yet you still haven't learned anything," Emilia said coldly.
"You…" Eleanor voiced, trembling with fury.
She knows well of the dispute between the two sisters and how they never get along, but now, Emilia is trying to defend her.
What a joke!
She scoffed quietly.
"What gave you the right to beat a concubine in the harem and lock her in a room?"
"Concubine?" Eleanor sneered.
"She's nothing but a shameless woman who climbed into the King's bed to steal a title for herself. A few lessons aren't wrong."
She retorted, not remorseful and even glared at Catherine, who turned her face away quickly.
Eleanor continued as Emilia remained quiet and raised her shoulders high.
"If you want to punish me because of that, then your Majesty, you have wronged me."
Emilia could hear murmurs following her words from the servants standing close, and their expressions showed support for Eleanor.
After all, the King married her before anyone else, and she had been in the palace the longest. Even the Queens crowned before didn't dare to question her once and followed her instructions closely.
"Then you must think you are qualified to carry out a punishment on her?" Emilia said, standing from her seat and stepping forward.
"Of course, I was merely teaching her the lessons her mother obviously forgot to give her," she responded.
Catherine's face darkened in her seat, but she could only bite her lips and say nothing.
"Why don't I also teach you more lessons you have forgotten after staying in the palace for so long?" Emilia told her, her steps getting closer to where Eleanor was kneeling.
Eleanor stiffened, clearly not used to being challenged and wondering what Emilia meant.
"I'm sure your mother forgot to teach them to you", Emilia added, and Eleanor flared, upset.
"How dare you speak such words about my mother?"
"I am the Queen."
"Your mother is only a humble subject. What don't I dare to say," she retorted and noticed the gold jewel on her.
"You are even bold enough to violate the harem rules," Emilia muttered.