Retribution

Eugenie breathed through her mouth to stay indifferent and warned Alora, "Princess Alora, it isn't your turn to speak."

However, Alora didn't fall silent there. She retorted, showing who had the manners there, "Your Royal Highness, if I am not wrong, I was the one who asked for your audience."

She didn't mean to go against her mother who was obliged to stay neutral. However, everyone's eyes were on her, if she fell silent it would be accepting of a mistake she hadn't made. So she stood for herself.

Eugenie: "…"

So following the rules, Alora has to report the problem first. Eugenie was aware of that but when Caroline started crying out, they couldn't stop her.

Zander murmured under his breath, "My daughter is right."

Arihan looked at Alora. She was gutsy there but he wasn't sure if it was because they were her parents or if she was brave enough to stand against wrongdoings.

Before Eugenie could snap at her, Alora continued glancing at her father who cued her to stay low, "Justice will prevail. I would wait for my turn."

Eugenie couldn't believe her daughter was so sharp-witted. She signaled for Caroline to continue her story.

Caroline composed herself back to her act and shed more tears, "Your Royal Highness if Princess Alora could say these in front of you…" She sighed and cried more.

Not just Alora's parents, the royals in the banquet also know what Alora meant by her words. 'You are what you said.' She never agreed that she said those words.

Caroline looked at her maids who ran up to her and kneeled in front of Eugenie, "Your Royal Highness, Lady Caroline is right. Princess Alora pushed her to the wall when we wanted to help her to her chambers." They bowed repeatedly as they asked, "Give us Justice…"

Alora watched the three ladies putting on a mind-blowing show. She had heard the palace often organizes theater giving chances for various artists to perform. She wondered if those people were as good as these three.

Zander held himself from rolling his eyes. He was glad Lothar and Freya weren't there or else thought the two would have snapped their necks.

Eugenie continued to be indifferent. Alora will win by her strength so she didn't worry. "Rise."

Then she turned to Alora, "Princess Alora, do you have something to say regarding the same?"

Alora nodded as she took a step forward, "Your Royal Highness, I would like to know who they are and why they approached me."

The royals burst into laughter realizing Alora didn't even know who the Royal tutor was. Caroline fumed but kept her cool, behaving like a fragile lady.

Eugenie's lady-in-waiting responded to her, "She is a royal tutor who teaches the princess about etiquettes."

Alora nodded, thanking the lady as she turned to Catherine. She is aware Catherine had the responsibility of the princesses' education and nourishing their talent.

"Duchess Blewett, why wasn't I informed that I will be having etiquette classes?" Her permission wasn't needed but it was important to update her about it

Without the instruction of Catherine or Orla or Eugenie, a royal tutor wasn't allowed in the palace. If it was Eugenie or Orla, they would have given her heads up.

Arihan was taken by surprise. He expected Alora to brief what happened with her, then ask the guards and maids to vouch for her. The way Alora was handling the situation reminded him of young Eugenie.

Eugenie's lips curled in satisfaction. She sat down on the head seat, proud that Alora hadn't forgotten whatever she taught her.

Catherine was caught off guard. She couldn't believe such small things could become a pivotal point. She lied bluntly, "My ladies had reached out to inform you but you weren't available and you don't have your ladies to inform you."

Alora couldn't believe Catherine was blaming her. It was her duty to make her know prior or wait to let her know. "Duchess Blewett, are you stating your inefficiency or your ladies'?"

Zander and Eugenie looked at each other. Alora was strong on her point. But she was very direct that was offending, rather than solving. However, they wouldn't blame Alora for it, she speaks her heart without masking her intention.

Catherine was enraged. Even Eugenie wouldn't dare to put such words on her face. How dare a mere girl point the finger at her?

Alora continued, "I guess you are too busy to notice your ladies were slacking in their job." It was another resounding slap on Catherine's face.

Zander sat down watching his daughter. People often consider goodness as weakness. Alora's goodness was definitely not something to be trifled up.

Alora continued to put her view from the very beginning of Caroline's entry to the palace. Now she has moved to the next step, "However, Duchess Blewett, the royal tutor you have invited, is well aware of my schedule."

Helena watched Alora with her lips wide open. It was hard to believe Alora was the same princess who feared playing the flute again. The same princess who talks so sweetly and smiles harmlessly.

For an unknown reason, she started imagining fierce slaps on her mother's face at the end of every line Alora uttered.

Agost admired the lady in front of him. She was dazzling and confident in the eyes of everyone. She might not be physically strong, but her words held the weight that left the hall mute.

Caroline opened her lips to speak before realizing her words will put Catherine in trouble. Thus her lips just moved without uttering any word.

After highlighting the mistakes from the beginning, Alora finally came to the accusation. She looked at the royal maid and turned to her father. "Your Highness, Crown Prince, correct me if I am wrong. The punishment for the lies of royal servants is stoning."

Just her words, the fear crept into the bones of the royal maid who had brought Caroline to Alora. The royal guard swallowed hard. Their punishment wouldn't be just stoning, if they survive nobody will hire them for any work. They will be starved to death after leaving the palace in disgrace.

Not just Zander, every royal knew Alora was inflicting fear on the servants to pressure them to speak the truth. Zander agreed in a response, looking at the effects his daughter brought on others. "You are accurate. However, the royal guards will have to bear more than stoning."

Society will avoid those royal guards and their families in the fear of being affected.

Alora stepped away and looked at the royal maid who was shaking on her knees, "Introduce yourself." Her voice was soft but unyielding.

As though Alora announced her death penalty, the royal maid started bowing repeatedly. Instead of introducing herself, she blurted out the truth, "Your Royal Highness, Princess Alora is innocent."

Caroline panicked and started blaming Alora in front of all, "Your Royal Highness, Princess Alora is scaring the maid. You shouldn't believe her. Trust us,"

Eugenie looked at her royal guards. They marched forward and seized Caroline. Eugenie's cold voice rang, "Quiet."

Eugenie's eyes brushed over Catherine who failed to keep her composure. The maid, the royal tutor, was under Catherine. Alora was trapping Catherine in every way. Looks like Alora was going to be the one to end Catherine's chapter in their life.

Catherine couldn't believe her maid was such a coward. When her eyes met with Eugenie's Catherine paled at the realization. Her move on Alora was going to be her retribution.