Punishment

"What is the issue, Ilvia? Who is here?" Scarlet inquired, rising to her feet.

Ilvia gasped for air before speaking. "My lady, Consort Belinda and Consort Corinna are here."

Scarlet hissed and settled back into her seat, knowing that their visit could only mean trouble. Little did they know that she was no longer the meek and timid Scarlet they remembered.

"Let them in," Scarlet commanded, crossing her legs confidently.

Ilvia was taken aback by her lady's newfound assertiveness. She had always been shy and submissive in the presence of the consorts, but now she exuded a radiance and confidence that was unlike anything Ilvia had seen before.

Trusting Scarlet's orders, Ilvia brought Corinna and Belinda into the room.

Scarlet remained seated as they entered, and the consorts couldn't hide their shock at the transformation in her demeanor.

Ilvia stood by her lady's side, a silent warning to the consorts that Scarlet would not tolerate any disrespect. She had pledged her loyalty to Scarlet and would continue to do so even after death.

"Consort Scarlet seems to have gained confidence since her near-death experience in the pool," Consort Belinda remarked, her long brown hair and dark eyes taking in the sight of Scarlet.

Scarlet sneezed suddenly, causing the consorts to jump back in surprise.

"I have a fever and cannot stand for long, right Ilvia?" Scarlet spoke softly, turning to her maid in a modest and demure manner.

Ilvia nodded in agreement. "My lady has been unwell since she fell into the pool and is unable to stand for extended periods."

Consort Corinna stepped forward, her arms folded. "Someone who is ill should not have the courage to challenge Consort Vera."

"I did not want to engage, but Consort Vera provoked me and I had no choice but to defend myself," Scarlet explained, sneezing once more and causing the consorts to retreat further.

Belinda scoffed. "You do not have the skill to spar with a consort."

With a smile, Corinna posed a question to Scarlet, "Does consort Scarlet know that His Highness spent the entire night with Consort Vera?"

Scarlet was taken aback by this revelation, but she managed to compose herself.

"His Highness has no interest in you, fortunately for Consort Vera, as she would soon bear an heir for him and become the Empress," Corinna continued.

Scarlet furrowed her brow, struggling to control her fury. "We are no different. His Highness has spent no time with either of us, apart from Consort Vera. So what's the difference?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If Consort Vera and Consort Belinda came here for nothing, then this lady here needs rest," Scarlet declared, standing up. However, she was interrupted by Corinna, whose own brow was furrowed.

"I can't fathom why His Highness even brought you here. Don't you feel remorseful for his highness, your father who killed his own parents? And here you are, living under His Highness's roof. Consort scarlet may even have feigned falling into the pool just to get His Highness's attention," Corinna accused.

"My lady would never stoop so low as to do such a thing for the sake of His Highness," Ilvia attempted to defend Scarlet, but before she could finish her sentence, a loud slap rang out in the room.

Corinna had just slapped Ilvia, leaving her cheeks red and swollen as she held them in pain.

"How dare a lowly servant speak when we are talking? I see Consort Scarlet didn't even train her maidservant properly. You are both cut from the same cloth," Corinna sneered.

Before she could utter another word, a slap landed on her own cheek. Corinna was shocked by this sudden attack, and even Belinda, who had remained silent, gasped in surprise.

"How dar-" Belinda began to protest, but they were soon engaged in a physical altercation, pulling each other's hair and tearing at each other's clothes. Ilvia tried to intervene and separate them, but she too ended up getting roughed up.

The mention of Scarlet's maidservant, ilvia had triggered her anger, and Corinna's insult was the final straw. She was not one to speak to her maidservant in such a demeaning manner, and Corinna had made a grave mistake in doing so.

Scarlet was well acquainted with Ilvia's behavior and deeply valued her loyalty and honesty. No one had the audacity to address her as a lowly servant in Scarlet's presence.

The news of the fight reached Consort Vera's ears and she summoned all the people present during the fight. They all knelt down including ilvia

"Consort Scarlet spoke ill of you and His Highness, which is why we got into a fight. I was only defending you," Corinna explained, with Belinda nodding in agreement.

Vera sat regally on her golden throne, dressed in a purple gown and wearing an expression of anger.

"It is true. We did not intend to cause any dispute or trouble for you and His Highness," Belinda tearfully admitted.

"When did I ever speak against them? Consort Belinda and Consort Corinna came to visit," Scarlet began, but was interrupted by a sneeze, causing all eyes to turn to her.

"My sincerest apologies, my lady. I have been suffering from a fever since I fell into the pool," she explained and vera creased her brows.

"Consort Belinda and Corinna were discussing you giving birth to His Highness's child. And instead of leaving when I asked them to, they insulted my maidservant by calling her lowly," Scarlet said, purposely trying to stop any tears from falling by blinking rapidly.

"My lady speaks the truth," Ilvia started to say, but was cut off.

"This is false, my lady. Consort Scarlet even went as far as to give a false statement about your barrenness," Belinda countered.

At this point, Vera's eyebrows were furrowed and her fists were clenched in anger.

"Consort Scarlet shall receive 50 lashes of the cane, and her maidservant shall receive 100 lashes," Vera declared. Just as she was about to get up, a voice interjected.

"Please, leave Ilvia out of this. I will take all the punishment," Scarlet declared confidently, leaving Ilvia in shock.

"For taking the side of a lowly servant, Consort Vera shall receive a total of 200 lashes of the cane and shall be confined to the dungeon for two weeks," Vera announced, causing Ilvia to react in horror.

Ilvia in fear, fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she whispered, "Forgive me, my lady. She does not stand by me and cannot endure the frigid dungeon."

But her pleas were futile as the guards forcefully carried Scarlet and escorted her to the jail reserved for consort who transgressed. This rule was imposed by the strict regulations of Consort Vera.