Chapter 263
Willow stared at the
selly shoe on the ground and lid out a piercing, shrink
She had never been so humilated
She was the dignified Marchioness of Sumers, yet he she was, being pelted with rotten shoes, wilted vegetables, mil spoited emp
Nona, terrified, rushed to shield Willow and urged, “Lady Willow, get in the cartage, que l
Only then did Willow snap out of her dare and, under the frantic protection of Hons and the an
(practically shnaefine
The coachman whipped the homes into a frenzy, and the heious mots chased after them, hurling curses and pelting the carriage with whatever they could find
Whatever was in their hands–ones, rotten egres, moldy vegetables–was hurled at the carriage
Each object struck the camiage with heavy, echoing thus, making the whole vehicle shudder,
Willow cowered in the corner of the carriage, clutching her ears, her screams unending
It wasn’t until the carriage reached Peace Street and the crowd saw the patrol guards that they finally scattered
Willow’s face turned ashon, her eyes brimming with tears
Nona stole a nervous glance at her and whispered, “Lady Willow…”
Without warning, Willow slapped Nona hard across the face with a resounding crack
Nona seemed to have expected it, she didn’t dare make a sound, just kowtowed frantically, her forehead nearly touching the floor as she begged for forgiveness.
wanne!! truly know my mistake–please, my lady, spare me.”
“My lady, I was wrong! I truly k
The thought of that filthy
shoe made Willow practically boil with rage.
She pointed a finger at Nona’s nose and snapped, “You worthless wretch! How dare your When danger arove, you didn’t protect me you even had the audacity to hide
The stench still seemed to linger at the tip of her nose, making Willow’s stomach churn with nauses.
Nona, face streaked with tears, pleaded, “My lady, I didn’t mean to. Please, have mercy on me!”
Willow was nearly beside herself with fury, her eyes cold and vicious as she ordered, “Slap yourself. Don’t stop until I say so.”
Nona froge for a moment, then understood Willow’s meaning.
Sniffling, she choked out a “Yes,” then brought her hand down viciously across her own face.
With a crisp crack, her cheek flared crimson.
But Willow was far from satisfied. Leaning back against the carriage, her expression icy, she said, “Continue. I haven’t told you to stop
not allowed
“Yes, my lady” Nona knew she wouldn’t escape unscathed this time.
She closed her eyes, wrung her arm with full force, and slapped herself again and again.
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As she hit herself, she murmured over and over. Tillary Bolt, I filled to protect my lady”
Willow closed her eyes in satidiction, savoring the intoxicating plature that power betight ter
As the carriage pulled up at the Osborne family estate, Willow opened 1
She didn’t manage to get the medicine for Kelsey, and she had come back looking the sets, the wondered what cher was supprised turds.
She didn’t even know if Michael had returned from the palace yet
With a heart full of unease, Willow felt utterly drained.
She glanced at Nona, whose face was swollen like a pig’s head, and raised her hand slightly. “That’s enough. Stop,” she addered.
Nona’s cheeks were so polly and numb that she could barely feel the pain anymore.
She knelt in gratitude, her face streaked with tears. “Thank you, my lady, for sparing my life
Willow shot her an irritated look. “We didn’t get the medicine. What are we supposed to do now?”
Nona rolled her eyes thoughtfully and offered, “My lady, you could always blame that wretched woman st say she made things difficult for you an purpose Lord Osborne probably won’t bother to check the truth himsel
Willow didn’t like the idea, but right now, the had no better options.
Willow lifted her skirt and stepped out of the carriage just as the steward hurried over, his face frantic “Lady Willow, you’re finally back–something’s happened at the estate”
The last thing Willow wanted to hear was that something had gone wrong. Her eyes widened “What now?”
“it’s.. it’s a messenger from the palace,” the steward stammered, clearly flustered.
“What? Then where is Lord Osborne Willow was so started 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 hallsight now”
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 unesse tighten in her stomach, Willow finally reached the front hall–just as she feared, the Queen’s mation 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?”
Though only a servant, the matron served at the Queen’s side and showed not a hint of lear, even before Willow
In a calm, measured one , the matron announced, “By order of Her Majesty the Queen, I am here to admonish you.”
“Admonish me?” Willow’s heart clenched. So it really is about me; she thought in panic.
She slowly knelt, her face full of helplessness “accept your admonition.”
Lady Willow, you have acted without virtue or decoram, 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.”
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Chapter 263
As the mation Binished reacting the decree, Willow’s face timed deathay pale and the collagendi
Would she even survive fifty slaps?
“Lady Willow, fergive me? The head mare, ace expressionless, stepped up
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 matena. “Mation, please, 1
The matron’s eyes widened in shock, staring at Willow as if she were a look.
How dare the bribe the Queen’s envoy!
Willow might not understand this was the Emperor sidectes,
1
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.
“Lady Willow, I am only carrying out orders, Please, don’t make things difficult for me, the matron said coldly, her eyes 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.”
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 downTM
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 walls echoed throughout the Osbome residence.
The servants were so frightened they didn’t dare lift their beads, but in their hearts, they thought, ‘This is truly over now. The disbare family has become
a complete laughingstock.
The matron was unmoved by Willow’s pitiful state, maintaining her full strength until all fity 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
Her dutyfulfilled, 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 mutions don’t hit like ordinary servants, Non
thought, Willow’s face will probably take at least ten days, maybe even half a month, to
“My lady, let me help you up,” Nona said sohly as she stepped forward to support Willow
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ig doll, utterly drained she didn’t even have the strength to sold her
Willow was as limp as a rag
