CHAPTER 33: THE ATTACK

"Ahhh!"

Princess Aurelia’s scream pierced through the training hall like a sharp blade.

Gasps followed as Queen Sephora’s eyes widened in horror at her daughter’s face.

"Wh... what..." she mumbled, almost losing her breath staring at her daughter’s face.

Her skin was beginning to blister and was now swollen. It was just a matter of seconds and her lips turned purple, and she scratched at her arms, trying to pull the pain away with her nails."

"M-Mother!" she sobbed. "What’s happening to me?! My face! My face is burning!"

All the noble ladies dropped to their knees, heads low in terror, trembling listening to Aurelia crying heavily.

But Lumina remained in her position, as her face contorted in feigned discomfort.

"Agh..." She let out a soft groan and held her stomach, slowly lowering to one knee as Stella rushed to her side.

"Help her!" Queen Sephora shouted, her voice cracking as she clutched Aurelia to her chest.

"Mother! It hurts!" Aurelia kept muttering, "Get her back to her chambers and get the Royal Physician, now!"

Two handmaidens lifted the sobbing princess, her tears mixing with the red welts, staining her gown.

Ladies scurried around like frightened mice, unsure where to stand, what to say, or who to blame.

"Who did this?" Queen Sephora’s voice boomed and they all looked down in fear of meeting Queen Sephora’s angry eyes.

Just then one of the maidens picked up the hairpin pin which was on the floor and now stained with Princess Aurelia’s blood.

Lady Mirelia, pale and sweating, seeing the hairpin belonged to her, out of fear she pointed a shaking hand at Lumina.

"She... she was rude to the Crown Princess earlier. We thought we sh... we just wanted to teach her a lesson. We didn’t mean..." her words cracked at the end out of fear.

Rhynera, still kneeling, added quickly, "It was only a small lesson, Your Majesty.... Nothing dangerous ... I tried to stop them from hovering around."

Queen Sephora’s face darkened like a storm cloud. They were not giving her the answer to the question she had just asked.

Her gaze snapped to Lumina, who had now allowed Stella to help her to her feet.

"I asked which of you owns this!" Her voice boomed again as she snatched the silver hairpin from the hands of the maid.

"Who would wear something so dangerous in this hall at all despite my warning not to come with any dangerous object?"

Their heads bowed deeper with their eyes dropped to the floor. "You want me to repeat the question!" She asked again. Then, silently, every girl turned their gaze toward Mirelia.

Mirelia, having no choice, decided to answer.

"M-me... it was mine..." Mirelia whispered, collapsing to the ground in full prostration. Her head knocked against the floor as she wept.

"Forgive me, Your Highness! I didn’t know it would hurt the Princess! I didn’t mean to throw it!"

"You have broken a sacred rule," Queen Sephora said coldly.

"No harmful object or substance is to be brought within the chamber. Now you have harmed the Princess, and you dare plead ignorance?"

"I didn’t know...please...I didn’t know..." Mirelia begged, choking on tears.

"You are stripped of your title. From this day, you are forbidden from entering the royal courtyard and my chambers. Guards, take her away."

"No...no, please! I swear...!"

Her screams echoed as she was dragged from the hall. The other ladies remained frozen in place, trembling.

Queen Sephora turned, her chest still heaving. "Everyone, to your seats. Class will continue."

Freya stepped forward, her face pale from what had transpired. "Yes, Your Highness."

Lumina slowly sat back down with Stella’s help, her blank eyes calm behind the mask of innocence. Her hand curled around her scroll as if nothing had happened, while the other ladies along with Rhynera sat, stiff and silent.

Freya cleared her throat. "As we were meant to do before the... incident, today’s class will focus on practical etiquette, how a future royal presents herself to the Queen each morning with tea. This reflects discipline, affection, and poise."

She looked at Rhynera. "Begin, Princess Rhynera. You will demonstrate first."

Rhynera stood shakily and looked around, clearly excited that she had been called first, hoping to use this to please the queen. Clapping her hands twice, two palace girls entered with a tray.

Everyone glanced at her wondering what that was, until she spoke again.

"I brought this tea blend from the Celestial Realm," Rhynera said with a gentle smile. "I prepared it myself early this morning... as tradition demands."

She walked forward, bowed, and presented the cup to Queen Sephora with both hands.

"I offer this with respect and a prayer for your continued strength," Rhynera said, lowering her gaze as she stepped forward.

Queen Sephora’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, having that hesitant look in her eyes.

"What does it contain?" Queen Sephora is finally asked ." Rhynera hesitated, then raised her head and replied gently,

"It is an ancient blend, I got taught in the Celestial realm. It helps calm the nerves and also strengthens the blood. My Lord Prince Adam had made me undertake that you have not rested properly in days. Let this help ease the strain."

The Queen studied her for a long moment. Finally, she reached out and accepted the cup.

"I shall take it," she said quietly. "If only to honor your care."She lifted it, sipped once, twice..

Rhynera let out a big smile seeing her drink this, she had made this plan when she was in the Celestial realm hoping to use this to appease the queen anytime she is angry.

Getting the news that the queen would come to their class today she had decided to make it for her and she is pleased that it came into use today.

Rhynera was about to collect the cup when it slipped slightly in her grasp. Her eyes widened, and a faint flush rose across her cheeks now followed by her fingers trembling.

"Wh...what...?"

Freya was the first to step forward. "Your Highness?" she called pushing Rhynera away.

"I... I feel lightheaded... my skin—it burns..." Queen Sephora let out.

"Call the physician again...something is wrong!" Lady Freya announced.

"What did you give to the queen?" she asked but Rhynera was confused.

"Your Highness!" Rhynera gasped. "I swear I used only the mixture I was given..."

Guards and her maiden rushed to her side, voices rising in panic. She was quickly ushered from the chamber, her steps faltering as murmurs followed her retreat. The doors slammed behind her.

The room fell into a strained silence as Lumina remained seated, her expression calm, unreadable.

"Is she... is she going to be alright?" someone whispered.

"Who would dare poison the Queen?" another murmured.

"But she only drank tea... Rhynera’s tea..."

Freya stepped forward, voice low and firm her eyes on Rhynera.

"No one is to speak of this beyond these walls unless commanded otherwise. We will wait... till the queen is fine."

Stella let out a devilish smile as she leaned in and whispered beside Lumina. "That was... almost too perfect."