Chapter 4

When we entered the Palace, Isaac held Roxana's hand and walked in with his head held high. He helped Roxana to our designated seats, and she took the seat superior to the one I was forced to sit in.

Every consort, noble lady, and member of the Royal Family looked at me and whispered amongst themselves.

Roxana was dressed in a bright red gown that looked just like mine, and her chin was held high as she smiled at me. "Sister."

I looked away and replied in a cold voice, "Who is your sister?"

Isaac came to her rescue right away and glared at me. "Roxana is not in the best health. Stop losing your temper at her. She is easily frightened."

Roxana carried Ignatius, the illegitimate son of the Seymours, and pushed him close to me. She coaxed him softly, "Go on, Ignatius. Call 'Mother'."

Ignatius buried himself in her arms, yet he still called me "Mother" in a timid voice.

I trembled so much with anger that my knuckles turned white. "Who told you he could call me 'Mother'?"

Isaac's face fell, and he flung off my hand, which was pointing at Ignatius. "It is an honor to be called 'Mother' by my son. Stop being ungrateful about this."

Roxana looked as if she was about to cry, and she dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

The laughter in the hall grew louder, and it felt like a knife to my heart. I clenched my fists and turned around to plead with Father for justice. He sat on his throne, and his face fell. He was about to speak when someone made an entrance.

Mother appeared, yet she did not look at anyone. She came straight toward me and held my hand. Her hand was cold, and when she felt how bony my wrist was from losing so much weight, she frowned.

"Why did you lose so much weight, my little girl? Did someone bully you?"

Her words made my eyes fill with tears, and I almost cried. Everyone in the hall had been too busy laughing at me, yet Mother was the only one who knew I had lost weight at a glance. She shielded me behind her and glared at Roxana.

However, everyone in the hall looked on as if this was a joke.

Everyone knew how weak the Queen Consort was, and even a consort of the lowest rank was brave enough to rebuke her. Now that she stood up for me, everyone assumed she would cry, and Father would carry her back to her room to comfort her.

Roxana showed no respect for her. When Mother appeared, Roxana did not panic. She even stood up straighter as she pushed Ignatius toward Mother. "Ignatius, greet the Queen Consort. She has the softest heart and could never bear to see a child suffer."

Ignatius did as Roxana said and greeted Mother.

This only made the laughter in the hall louder as the ultimate joke played out in front of them.

My tears could not stop falling as I stood behind Mother. I had been confined to my room, and three of my maids ended up with broken legs. My allowance was docked, and I could not even enjoy a hot meal.

While all this was happening, my husband pretended to be a well‑mannered, gallant man outside the house. He revealed his true colors only when he came home. He treated his mistress as if she was his wife, while I was treated like a lowly maid.

I tolerated everything because Mother was a weak and soft person. I was afraid of causing her trouble and turning her into a laughingstock. I worried that a sweet, naive person like her would not be able to help me and would give me further trouble instead.

Yet she still stood up for me.

Father sat on his throne with an unfathomable expression. It seemed like he had no idea what his soft‑hearted Queen Consort was about to do.

I bit my lip and was about to pull Mother away when Roxana suddenly spoke up in a dainty voice, "Isaac, I would like to request a Royal Warrant of Precedence so that I may call the Princess my sister."

Isaac immediately turned to Father and said in a bright voice, "Father, I would like to make a brazen request to bestow Roxana with a Royal Warrant of Precedence and to make young Ignatius my legitimate heir."

Stifled laughter was heard, and it felt like another knife to my heart.

However, Mother suddenly laughed. She approached Roxana slowly while she spoke in a tone laced with cold malice. "A Royal Warrant of Precedence? What right does an uncouth mistress who is ill‑mannered have to ask for one?"

Roxana turned pale and tried to defend herself. "Your Majesty, I have given birth to the first grandson of the Seymours. I have contributed…"

Mother said, "Shut up."

There was great authority in her tone. Mother turned to Isaac with rage in her eyes. "Do you know what crime you committed by bringing your mistress to a gala organized by the Palace and allowing her to take the Princess' seat?"

Isaac broke out in cold sweat, yet he still tried to stand his ground. "Mother, Roxana is just…"

Mother said, "Do not call me 'Mother'. I do not have a son‑in‑law like you." Every word she uttered sounded cold as ice. "You disrespected your wife and indulged in your mistress, even allowing her to bully your wife and ask the Royal Family to bestow her an honor.

"Everything you did is considered a serious offence."

Mother pointed at Roxana and said in a raised voice, "I want you to witness for yourself what it means for someone to have a Royal Warrant of Precedence.

"Guards, take this insolent mistress and the bastard she gave birth to and hang them in public right now."