Emilia arrived at the Queen Mother's quarters, her expression neutral, though her insides churn with unease.
Georgina sat outside under a pavement with Eleanor and the rest of the King's concubines, Anastasia and Rhoda, including Catherine. A number of maids surrounded them with teas and refreshments served.
Emilia swallowed nervously, as she saw Georgina's face. It was her first time meeting with her so closely.
She was supposed to lead her wedding train to the palace, but she sent others instead under the excuse that she was sick and Emilia didn't get a chance to meet her.
With a composed posture, Emilia sank to her knees and bowed in greeting.
"Your grace," she said, and began to rise, but a sharp, burning pain suddenly lashed across her legs, and they went crashing back to the ground with a thud.
The scream escaped her lips before she could stop it, and she writhed in pain radiating from the whip mark, aghast. Then she glanced backwards, and saw Sonia, holding a wet leather whip behind her and a big bowl she hadn't noticed earlier, sitting next to her.
Laughter trickled from Eleanor, who sipped some tea, while the others lowered their heads, unsure whether to watch or not.
"What do you think you are doing?" Emilia demanded with her eyes blazing and Allison rushed over to her side, but two maids held her down.
"What do you think?" Georgina responded, with a smug look.
"The King's health has deteriorated since the night you came into the palace."
"Everyone else has been worried about it except you," she said, and Emilia wondered how that explained her getting whipped. Unless they found out something about that night.
"The monk has suggested that a rite be done to cleanse you of every evil that might have caused the King's sudden sickness." she went on and Emilia's jaw tightened, her face twisted with disbelief.
She couldn't believe she would find such a ridiculous excuse to hit her. The whip in Sonia's hand is thicker than a person's arm, it's definitely meant to kill her.
Another whip landed on Emilia's back before she got the chance to speak, and she barely managed to stop herself from hitting the floor completely.
She groaned heavily from the pain, a tear forcing its way down her cheek and she clenched her fist and raised her head again.
"Did the King permit you to perform a rite in the palace?" she questioned.
"From what I know, the King detests all of such practice and forbids it."
"How can you openly hit the Queen in the name of a rite?" she argued, but Georgina scoffed.
"I'm his legal mother. What don't I dare to do?"
"The King is sick, it's only natural for me to do everything to ensure his safety, even if it means going against him," she said, and Emilia couldn't hear her ears.
Georgina signaled to Sonia to carry on with the third whip and Emilia tightened her eyes close as the whip her again. The excruciating pain in her back made her dizzy, but she refused to give in and pulled her fingers into her hand to keep herself awake.
Satisfied with her state now, Georgina ordered Sonia to stop and step down. She would have loved to continue but the warning to keep her alive was clear.
The maids holding Allison also let go of her, and she ran to hold Emilia, helping her stand to her feet.
"The health of the King is something that concerns the entire country."
"You won't blame me for seeking a solution with the temple, would you, your Majesty?" Eleanor said, revealing she was the one who gave the suggestion.
Emilia's eyes narrowed, and she stared at her. If it was just Georgina, then she might have swallowed the pain and let it go, but listening to Eleanor's words, it's clear they planned to make her suffer for what happened to Eleanor.
She manages to maintain a graceful posture, still relieving the pain in her body.
"Your grace," she began slowly.
"Since the rite is performed because of the King's health, then isn't it insincere to have a mere servant handle it?" she asked and Georgina's face flattened, but Emilia carried on.
"How could you allow a servant to take charge of giving out the whips?" she argued, mentioning the first monarch on purpose and Eleanor's voice rang out impatiently.
"Sonia has been with the Queen Mother for so long, you should feel honored to receive the hit by her hand," she said, and Emilia couldn't believe her ears.
"Besides your Majesty, you have broken more than just one rule."
"Harming the King is just the height." Eleanor went on carelessly.
"Break the rules?" Emilia repeated, amused by her words and turned to Georgina, who followed suit after Eleanor's claim.
"Yes, that's the second reason I have called you here today." Georgina stepped in.
"I heard you dared to punish the consort Eleanor a few days ago just because you were in a bad mood?" she asked, her brow raised arrogantly.
"Since you are new to the palace and don't know the rules yet, then I have no choice but to teach you myself," she said, signaling to Sonia, who stepped forward again to lay her hands on Emilia.
The other two concubines looked on, shaking their heads slowly in pity for Emilia while Catherine simply stared with no visible expression.
"Punish without any reason?" Emilia asked, trying to remain calm, and turned slightly towards Catherine, who averted her eyes.
"Catherine," Georgina called, and Catherine immediately went on her knees and bowed towards Georgina.
"Your grace, please forgive the Queen."
"My maid was also at fault for making the Queen misunderstand and causing this issue," she explained, and Emilia couldn't believe her ears.
She knew Catherine was a coward and couldn't be more surprised by her lies.
"The Queen is already so weak, if you must punish the Queen, then I begged to be punished as well." Catherine went on pretentiously and Emilia couldn't help but chuckle at her ridiculous attempt.