"What is this about?" she asked, hoping she wouldn't have to attend any kind of ceremony and Madam Allison explained.
"The Queen Mother has refused to allocate the necessary resources and money to our quarters," she said.
"These are the little we could gather for the Gold Palace in terms of clothes, jewelry, and gold."
Emilia lifted her brow quietly at the sight of the fortune in front of her.
Is this basic?
"I won't need all this," she replied, rejecting them.
"I have enough of the things brought from home," Emilia said.
'I had those sent back. You are not to wear anything bought from outside the palace."
"This is your home now," Madam Allison told her.
"You did what?" Emilia's voice sharpened as she turned to her maids, June and Alice, who looked just as stunned as her.
"The only personal belongings allowed to be used in the palace are servants, as many as you desire", Allison continued.
"They are not things," Emilia interrupted, but Allison remained unfazed and signaled to the maids to leave first.
June followed after them to put everything in place.
"Your Majesty, the wedding ceremony happened all of a sudden, and you weren't well-prepared."
"For the next few days, I will be instructing you on the rules in the palace," Allison told her, and Emilia nodded with understanding.
"Your Majesty, I heard about your confrontation with consort Eleanor three days back while I was away." Allison began and Emilia slowly rolled her eyes.
"Are you also going to scold me?" she asked, but Allison shook her head.
"I dare not, your majesty."
"Consort Eleanor has truly been condensing towards everyone in the palace, but still, it's not wise to offend her so early," she replied.
"She has the support of her family and the Queen Mother backs her up in everything she does. That's why she has remained feared in the palace for years."
"Offending her simply means declaring war," Allison said without reserving her words, and Emilia's eyes narrowed.
She remembered Eleanor when they were younger, and she followed her father into the palace to teach Lucas and listen on while the lecture went on.
Eleanor is just a spoiled brat who tried so hard to get Lucas's attention then. She couldn't believe how much everyone feared her and scoffed.
"What are you going to do now?"
"I heard the Queen Mother had invited her over to her chambers," Allison said, interrupting Emilia's thoughts.
"I haven't thought much of it," she answered, leisurely picking up a cup of water and drinking it.
She is more worried about the issue with Lucas than to bother herself with the likes of someone like Eleanor. But since the Queen Mother might also be stepping in, then it might really cause some trouble for her.
"What do you suggest?" Emilia asked, knowing she must have something to say.
"Your Majesty, the only person who can help you stand against them in the palace, is the King himself," Allison told her, and Emilia choked a little on her tea.
"Every Queen has suffered the same fate over and over in the hands of Consort Eleanor, and coupled with the issues surrounding you, your Majesty, she will be more intimidating."
Emilia remained quiet with her thoughts for a few seconds after Allison's words. She just stabbed the King in his chest and doesn't even know her fate yet.
There is no way she will let her fate be dependent on him except she doesn't love her life anymore.
"Your Majesty, why don't you meet with the King first and…"
Emilia raised her hand to stop Allison, shutting her up.
"There is no need to involve him yet. It's not like anything has happened."
"Let's just wait and see," she said.
"But what if…" Allison tried to persuade her again.
She has served all the three queens who have lost their lives in recent years and can't bear to see another one suffer the same way.
Especially when Emilia's survival is a big determinant in keeping Eleanor from becoming the Queen and lady of the Gold quarters.
"You don't have to worry about it."
"I will handle things my own way," she said and dismissed her.
Allison bowed reluctantly and turned to leave, but a knock on the door made her halt and Alice stepped in.
"Your Majesty, Madam Sonia, is here to see you," she informed Emilia, and Allison widened her eyes, panicked.
"Madam Sonia?" Emilia repeated, glancing cluelessly towards Allison, who quickly offered an explanation.
"She's the Queen Mother's handmaid who has served her since she entered the palace," she whispered, and Emilia realized the reason for their panic.
She thought dealing with Georgina wouldn't happen anytime soon but didn't expect to be faced with it already.
"Let her in," she ordered, and the door opened soon again.
Sonia entered the room with two younger maids behind her and bowed, but her posture was stiff with arrogance.
"Your Majesty," she said with her nose.
"The Queen Mother has requested your presence immediately," she said with cool defiance.
"Why has she summoned me?" Emilia asked, but Sonia brushed her off.
"I am only a messenger ordered to relay the Queen Mother's message."
"How can I know what she wants to discuss with you?" she retorted.
Emilia furrowed slightly but disregarded her rudeness and told her she would be there shortly, but Sonia refused to leave.
"The Queen Mother gave clear instructions to bring you with me," she said fiercely.
"How dare you speak to the Queen like that?" Allison snapped, unable to bear her rudeness.
"Even if you serve the Queen Mother, you are still a servant." Alice chipped in, but Sonia scoffed at them, undeterred and turned to Emilia, who had remained calm.
"Your Majesty, please come along with us now, or I will have to offend you," she said boldly and signaled to the maids with her to forcefully grab Emilia.
Allison and Alice stepped forward to counter them, but Emilia quickly raised a hand, stopping both sides.
"I will go with you," she said calmly, and Alice quickly protested.
"Your Majesty…" she said, but Emilia stopped her.
"It's fine," she nodded.
The Queen Mother is definitely out to get her and any simple action of hers will be used against her.
Since she is determined to make her come, then she can go there and see for herself.
"This way, your Majesty." Sonia gestured, her chin lifted as Emilia stepped past her, and they made their way towards Georgina's crystal palace with Madam Allison following behind them.