Apart from the deceased eldest mistress of the Debeur family, Elsa Debeur, Amy was the most cosseted one among the mistresses. Ralph loved this dainty and capricious daughter dearly due to her reputation as an accomplished mistress since young. His love for her grew when Lord Mathilda went famous and especially when her literature was published. He even permitted Amy to enter Oakley Hall whenever she wanted and hoped that she would be like Lord Mathilda one day.
Because she was granted all-time free access into the study hall, Amy had the honor to witness Ralph’s demeanor when he was discussing political affairs with the aides and staff, and she got to see how he punished the betrayers. Ralph was not light in his punishments especially for those causing troubles to him.
Seeing Amy becoming still, a complacent look appeared on Grace’s face. Yet she still insisted to pretend that she was considering for Amy’s benefits which made her expression looked slightly funny. She lifted her sharp chin as if giving orders to the side consort instead of asking for her opinion.
“Mother, based on the current situation, how should we answer father?”
The side consort did not reckon her behavior as offensive, but thought that she possessed the charm of a future eighth prince’s consort instead. She even pondered Grace’s words seriously. “From my point of view, we need to pack up as soon as possible and return to the palace leaving your little sister here before the matter is spread out. Your father’s anger might be alleviated without seeing your little sister.
“Your father always reckoned you to be gentle and modest, and he might still listen to you. He might not be that angry with you persuading him. As for the Gladstone family, we’ll prepare gifts and visit Aadya when we get back. I’ll explain that it’s because of your little sister being reckless and had a small quarrel with Kace. She might not take it seriously as it’s just a normal argument between kids.
“Kace is still resting at Munashii Temple and he could not tell Aadya the whole incident on his own. Therefore we need to visit Aadya before they meet each other. To think about it, Aadya has a good relationship with your father, maybe she really won’t argue for that…”
Amy spoke reluctantly. “Do you really want me to marry that paralyzed crap by abasing yourself in front of the people of the Gladstone family?”
The side consort’s heart melted and she hugged Amy in her arms. “Silly girl, what are you so anxious about? This is just a matter of expediency.”
Her face went grim and she started to criticize Amy. “You’ve caused a huge trouble this time. No matter how your father dislikes Mary, she’s still his flesh and blood. He certainly would ask about the matter when it happens. Your father’s anger would only surge when the Gladstone family wants to cancel the marriage at this point of time. So why don’t we appease the Gladstone family first and deal with your problem slowly afterwards?”
Amy then only went silent.
Grace on the other hand was lowering her head without uttering a word. She wondered whether Ralph would vent his anger towards her when she pleaded his mercy for Amy. She could not help but curse Amy in her heart. She was such a bane. If she had not caused a fuss, she would have more chance to come close to the eighth prince.
She felt melancholic upon thinking of the charismatic eighth prince.
The room finally became quiet, as if the people inside had already made their decisions after a round of discussion. Ralph let out a grim smile and could not endure it anymore. He stretched out his hand, gave a few hard knocks on the windowsill and scoffed. “Have you all decided on how to deal with me?”
A death silence roamed across the room and even the breathing sound was inaudible. It was Madam Barbosa who opened the door after a long while. She built up a flattering smile and greeted him. “Good day, your Majesty.”
As she had just finished talking, Ralph gave her a hard kick. Madam Barbosa exclaimed and she flew directly to a corner of the room. She covered her chest while puffing.
The side consort and the two mistresses noticed the situation had gone bad and hurriedly tidied themselves up. The side consort being the most anxious scurried forward wanting to welcome Ralph. Even Amy who was bedridden wanted to get off her bed quickly, yet was pressed down by Grace.
Amy was in great panic. She thought that Grace intended to let her getting beaten up and she struggled with effort. Grace secretly swore that she was such a dumbass and there was an apprehensive look on her face—which was not pretended, as she did give out suggestions during the discussion just now and would be doomed too if Amy did not handle it good enough.
“Lie still. Pretend to be weak and ill-stricken afterwards. Mother and I will cover everything up.”
Amy did not trust her words and continued to struggle, yet Grace gave her a hard pinch and said coldly, “Listen to me if you don’t want getting beaten up!”
Her imposing manner managed to shock Amy and she lied down obediently.
Meanwhile, the side consort had already bowed and greeted Ralph. “Good day, your Majesty.”
Ralph gave her a hard slap on the face. His strength was too great that the side consort immediately fell over to the ground and there were five finger marks printed on one side of her cheeks.
She looked piteous like a drowned mouse now that she was getting beaten up after bumping her forehead.
Yet Ralph did not show her any sympathy. He looked down on her with a superior look and spoke with a cold and almost callous voice. “This slap is for you on behalf of your daughter. She gave her fourth sister a slap yesterday, and now I’m returning the favor.”
The side consort went into a perturbation instantly. So that meant Ralph had already met Luna? Or else how would he know Amy had slapped her yesterday? Could it be that Ralph had already arrived at Munashii Temple earlier? But why did none of the servants inform her?
She inevitably glanced at Madam Barbosa who was covering her chest and puffing at the corner with a suspicious look.
She had made her in charge of all the servants she brought this time. If Ralph had reached Munashii Temple earlier, why didn’t Madam Barbosa receive any report? Moreover, according to Madam Barbosa’s temper, she would already offer to hold her up when she was beaten up instead of playing dead, lying there now. It was just a kick, how strong could it be?
Could it be that this old servant had betrayed her? Her doubt grew the more she thought, and she started to feel worry and afraid. She had let Madam Barbosa handle everything at Munashii Temple this time completely, could it be that she had united with the people of the temple to harm her?
The seed of suspicion sprouted the moment it was planted in her heart. Within a split second, she had remembered Madam Lewis from the Planifolia Garden. Madam Barbosa had a good relationship with her, and Madam Lewis’s daughter, Chelsea was bright and beautiful. Could it be that Madam Barbosa had decided to bank on Madam Lewis thinking she could get some benefits from Chelsea?
She snorted.
Her look became vicious. If she planned to take this opportunity to ruin her, she had underestimated her!
Poor Madam Barbosa was suspected by the side consort when she barely caught her breath being kicked hard by Ralph. What the side consort, or Natalia did not know was Granny Gordy who followed Ralph here had already vanquished all the servants of the Debeur family with lightning speed upon arrival.
“Mother!” Grace rushed towards the side consort with tears when she saw her getting slapped after settling Amy. “It was only a small argument between sisters and Amy sis had apologized to Luna sis after accidentally slapping her. Why does father want to make small matter big and blame it all on mother?”
Grace’s cries were brimming with emotions that those who did not know the truth might mistake her as a good and peace-loving daughter. “I can’t believe Luna sis has such a hot temper that she’ll complain to father about this and make father angry!” She pushed all the blame to Luna.
Ralph squinted and examined Grace. This daughter was extremely astute that she would turn out to be the eighth prince’s smart wife if she married him.
Grace sensed something was wrong intuitively yet she could not argue for anything but hold on to the side consort and cry ‘mother’ ceaselessly.
“She’s not your ‘mother’.” Ralph’s eyes moved and fixed on a pair of vases on the windowsill. He spoke blandly. “Your mother is Lenroe Shaine, the princess of the Rustica kingdom, not Natalia Neil, the side consort.”
His voice though deep and calm, had a huge impact on all the people in the room. Even Madam Barbosa who was groaning due to pain had stopped her groan.
Everybody knew what his words meant. Since Lenroe passed away, Ralph had never announced that he wanted another marriage. He acquiesced Natalia to act like the boss lady of the household until she had grown used to it for all these years. She was no different than a formal queen barring the title.
Yet she was forced to face reality by Ralph’s words at once. She was still only a side consort after all these years roaming the palace.
Natalia was in great shock that she forgot to cry and plead. She was totally blank that she only let Grace hugged her and could not utter a word, feeling heartache.
Amy on the other hand was hiding under her blanket due to fright. She was banking on the side consort to plead for her to let her escape from the doom, yet it seemed like she would not be able to escape from it.
It was only Grace who managed to quickly react after the initial shock. She wept. “Even if the side consort did do something wrong, father should tell her slowly instead of striking her until she had no will to live.” She no longer addressed Natalia as ‘mother’ but ‘the side consort’ instead.
Natalia slowly turned around and stared at her own daughter with a pair of spiritless eyes. Grace’s heart gave a sudden leap as her stare had frightened her. She secretly pinched Natalia signifying her to calm down. Natalia recovered and she closed her eyes silently without making a noise, looking dejected.
“I would have pierced her with a sword just now and not let her live if not for our relationship all these years!”