Chapter 466
Chapter 466
“It’s… it’s a messenger from the palace,” the steward stammered, clearly flustered.
“What? Then where is Lord Osborne?” Willow was so startled she nearly lost her footing.
Visitors from the palace never brought good news.
The steward, still anxious, said, “His Lordship hasn’t returned yet. The Queen sent her matron, and she’s waiting in the front hall right now p>
Willow gasped.
If it were good news, Michael wouldn’t still be out.
The Queen sent someone-could it be for her?
Feeling a knot of unease tighten in her stomach, Willow finally reached the front hall-just as she feared, the Queen’s matron was already standing there, ramrod straight.
Willow’s scalp tingled as she stepped forward. “Matron, forgive my late greeting. May I ask what brings you here p>
Though only a servant, the matron served at the Queen’s side and showed not a hint of fear, even before Willow.
In a calm, measured tone, the matron announced, “By order of Her Majesty the Queen, I am here to admonish you p>
“Admonish me?” Willow’s heart clenched. ‘So it really is about me,’ she thought in panic.
She slowly knelt, her face full of helplessness. “I accept your admonition p>
“Lady Willow, you have acted without virtue or decorum, spreading rumors that led people astray and nearly caused disaster. Her Majesty decrees: as this is your first offense, you are to receive fifty slaps as a warning. Should there be a next time, there will be no leniency p>
As the matron finished reading the decree, Willow’s face turned deathly pale and she collapsed to the floor.
Would she even survive fifty slaps?
“Lady Willow, forgive me.” The head matron, face expressionless, stepped up to Willow and swung her arm in a wide arc, landing a resounding slap across her face.
Willow let out a sharp scream, clutching her cheek.
In her panic, she fumbled out a pouch of silver, trying to bribe the matron. “Matron, please, show some mercy p>
The matron’s eyes widened in shock, staring at Willow as if she were a fool.
How dare she bribe the Queen’s envoy!
Willow might not understand this was the Emperor’s decree.
Besides, there were people from the Heaven Hall here as witnesses.
With Lord Osborne still at court, and Willow dared cause such a scene after only one slap-she was utterly reckless.
1/2
Lady vymOW,
QUAL VINY
signaling Willow to abandon her foolish thoughts.
Willow, terrified, covered her face and pleaded pitifully, “Matron, if you hit me fifty times, my face will be ruined p>
Seeing her stubbornness, the matron feared she might say something even more outrageous and implicate the Queen.
Her face hardened as she barked, “Hold her down p>
Two palace maids stepped forward and pinned Willow firmly in place.
Immediately, the matron’s slaps began to rain down.
The resounding slaps echoed through the hall.
Willow’s screams turned to sobs as she cried out in pain, her wails echoed throughout the Osborne residence.
The servants were so frightened they didn’t dare lift their heads, but in their hearts, they thought, ‘This is truly over now. The Osborne family has become a complete laughingstock p>
The matron was unmoved by Willow’s pitiful state, maintaining her full strength until all fifty slaps had been delivered.
With the punishment completed, the matron admonished gravely, “Lady Willow, I hope you will reflect on this. In the future, think twice before you act p>
Her duty fulfilled, the matron offered Lady Willow a curt, formal bow, then turned and left without a backward glance.
Willow’s face was grotesquely swollen, and she couldn’t make a sound.
The numb, throbbing pain in her cheeks pulsed with every heartbeat.
Nona took one look at her and realized Willow was in an even worse state than she ever was.
Though fear lingered in her heart, she couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill.
‘Those palace matrons don’t hit like ordinary servants,’ Nona thought. ‘Willow’s face will probably take at least ten days, maybe even half a month, to heal.
“My lady, let me help you up,” Nona said softly as she stepped forward to support Willow.
Willow was as limp as a rag doll, utterly drained—she didn’t even have the strength to scold her.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.