"That's…only the first issue." Emilia pouted, turning to a furious Georgina.
She had just received three whips on her body. Having Eleanor throw away a hairpin isn't going to make up for it. Thankfully, she read the books lying on her table containing the countless rules, or she wouldn't be able to have revenge right now.
"What else do you want?" Eleanor stammered and signaled to her servants, who hurried to her side.
"Bring out every phoenix in my chambers and toss them," she instructed, and her servant widened her eyes.
Everyone also stared at her in disbelief, shocked beyond words. They are all well aware of the large amount of dress and phoenix jewelry she possesses.
"Yes, your highness." the servant bowed nevertheless and went on her way to carry out her orders.
Emilia smirked unimpressed and, pushing Eleanor slightly out of her way, she sat in the seat she occupied before.
Eleanor turned around facing her, and clenched her fist,
"Satisfied?" she asked and Emilia shook her head.
"That is not enough," she answered.
"Emilia, don't push it!" Georgina warned, finding her voice.
"How can mere disposing of some phoenix cut off for the offenses?" Emilia asked, her tone grim.
"Eleanor is only a consort, but she dared to disrespect me so and even raise her voice at me countless times."
"How can I just let it slide?" she asked again.
"If a consort makes such a mistake, then the concubines will also think it's okay to ignore the rules," she said.
Anastasia and Rhoda immediately went on their knees and Catherine followed suit.
"Your Majesty, we dare not think that," they said, bowing their heads deeply and Georgina had no words to argue with anymore.
She reluctantly gave in and turned to Eleanor.
"Knee and apologize to the Queen," she said, but Eleanor frowned deeply, refusing to.
"If consort Eleanor is unwilling, then we can just consult the King…" Emilia threatened and Eleanor quickly went on her knees.
"Please forgive me, your Majesty, I have no such intention against you," she pleaded, her eyes bitter and Emilia nodded quietly.
"Since you admit your fault, then I won't pursue this matter further," she said and picked up an empty glass.
"Here, pour me some drink." Emilia ordered, raising the glass in her face and Eleanor slowly grabbed the bottle, pouring some for her.
Emilia drank the wine, savoring the lingering taste on her lips while Eleanor and the others remained on their knees.
"Since the Queen is willing to forgive you, return to your quarter and reflect on your mistakes for a few days," Georgina said stiffly.
"Why don't we let her copy the harem rules a few times as well? Say…twenty copies." Emilia chipped in and Georgina exhaled sharply.
"Let's do that then." she resignedly agreed and Eleanor bowed again before quietly leaving with her maids.
"Madam Allison," Emilia called out to her and she stepped forward.
A few minutes ago, she was madly worried about her master but didn't expect her to turn the situation around so easily and smiled proudly.
"Your Majesty,"
Emilia smiled coolly.
"Say, when a maid lies against the Queen, what's the punishment?" she asked, and they realized she wasn't done yet.
"She would be flogged to death," Allison answered, and Emily fell on her knees at a distance.
"Your Majesty," Catherine called, horrified and bowed with her face to the ground.
"Emily is my only handmaid, please spare her!" she begged, and Emily cried to be spared as well.
"Are you really willing to go this far, Emilia?" Georgina asked.
"Catherine is, after all, your sister."
"I know," Emilia replied.
"That's why I haven't given the order yet," she responded.
"But if I let this slide without any consequences, then what examples are we setting?" she said sternly.
Catherine grabbed her feet, shaking her head profusely. She had no idea her scheme to side with Eleanor would end up like that and pleaded again.
"Your Majesty, if you must punish someone, then punish me," she said, hoping Emilia would reconsider but was shocked by her response.
"Fine then, let both of you be punished," she said.
"You can go be flogged five times to serve as a warning," she ordered, dismissing them, and they stood up to get their punishment, escorted by the servants and Madam Allison.
The room sank into heavy silence once more. And the remaining concubines sat frightened, holding their cups tightly in their hands.
Emilia shook her head slowly, drinking some wine. She can't believe this is the simple trick that caused the other queens before her to fall. Without her family's backing and Georgina, she would just be a brat.
Seeing that the issue had died down, Georgina scoffed.
"Do you really think you will survive in this palace by being on the bad side with me?" she asked Emilia.
"It's only a few days, and you are challenging me."
"I would never dare, Mother, but what if people begin to think you're biased toward your own family?"
"That you despise the new Queen?" Emilia answered smartly.
Georgina narrowed her eyes.
"You're sharp with words, aren't you? Let's see how long that protects you."
Emilia smirked humbly.
"I will follow your teaching from now on, mother," she told her.
Georgina's twisted in annoyance.
"I didn't give you permission to call me mother," she uttered.
"But you are the king's legal mother."
"It's natural I call you mother," Emilia replied and Georgina sighed.
If she let her stay here any longer, then she might annoy her to death.
"You should head back now, I'm tired," Georgina told her, and she stood up immediately, eager to leave.
"I wish you well, your grace," she said, bowing slightly and left, forcing herself to walk straight.
"You two can leave as well," Georgina said to Rhoda and Anastasia, who hurried to their feet and went off quickly.
Calling Sonia to herself, she got another instruction.
"Find out everything you can from the King's quarters."
"I need to find a way to deal with Emilia quickly," she said.