Chapter 4

Before dawn the next day, Isabella’s head maid knocked on Lynette’s door. She said that King James looked angry when he left Lynette’s room the night before, so Lynette must have angered him. In that case, the queen wanted to teach the concubine some discipline.

The morning air was sharp as knives. There was still snow on the floor.

When Lynette stepped into the courtyard outside Isabella’s chambers, the queen was wrapped in fox fur and holding a hand warmer as she waited.

“Do you know what you did wrong?” Isabella asked slowly. There were a few other low-ranking concubines and maids with her.

“Lady Eaves, you spoke back to the king last night and angered him. Is that true?” Isabella sat on her chair, checking her nails.

Lynette knelt. “I wouldn’t dare.”

“You wouldn’t dare?” Isabella scoffed. “Why did I hear that His Majesty looked quite upset when he left your room last night? As his concubine, you should relieve his worries, not add to them. How should you be punished?”

“I don’t know, Your Majesty. Please enlighten me.”

“You don’t know? I’d say you know too much!” Isabella’s voice rose suddenly. “His Majesty graced you with his presence last night, but you betrayed his favor by angering him! Is that how your family raised you? What happened to your noble upbringing?!”

Lynette lowered her head, her hands clenching into fists.

“Looks like you refuse to admit fault,” Isabella smirked. “Fine, since you’re so disobedient, I’ll discipline you myself. Stay kneeling here and recite the entire palace rulebook. You can rise when you’re done memorizing the whole thing. Now, everyone will see what happens to those who disrespect the king and the queen!”

It was early winter, with a bone-chillingly cold morning wind.

The courtyard was vast. Though the passing maids did not dare to look at her directly, they could all see the concubine kneeling on the marble floor.

Lynette kept her back straight as she recited the rules. Her knees went numb from the pain, her lips turned purple from the cold, but she never bent her back.

One hour passed, then two…

Isabella listened with interest at first, but her expression began to darken when she realized Lynette could recite every word with ease. Her rage rose when she saw the other lower-ranking concubines or attendants looking at Lynette with sympathy as they walked past.

“Enough!” Isabella interrupted with a bark. “You memorized everything well, but you clearly haven’t taken the lessons to heart. Your father is the Preceptor, beloved by all civilized scholars, so how could he have raised such an uncivilized daughter? He’s also at fault for raising a daughter who can’t even read the room or respect the king!”

Lynette finally raised her lowered gaze.

Her father was her bottom line. She could tolerate any slander to her name, but she would not let anyone tarnish her father’s innocence, especially with such a laughable accusation!

She stared straight at Isabella, her voice hoarse from the cold and lack of water. Even so, her tone was stern.

“I can accept it when you discipline me, Your Majesty. However, my father has been nothing but loyal to the kingdom, raising the scholars and bringing peace to the court. I won’t acknowledge what you just said, or it would be a blemish to His Majesty’s relationship with his loyal ministers!”

“How dare you talk back to me!” Isabella flew into a rage, running into the courtyard and slapping Lynette.

Smack! The loud sound echoed through the courtyard.

Lynette’s face was turned to the side from the force of the strike. Her fair cheek began to swell with red marks.

She slowly turned back to look at Isabella. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, but she held the queen’s gaze.

“So this is the so-called loyal preceptor’s daughter! What a sharp tongue you have!” Isabella was breathing hard from her fury. “Servants, take her away and—”