Chapter 9

Richard could not bring himself to do it. "Your Majesty, that's a little too cruel to the queen."

However, George had already walked away. His majestic figure was already distant, and impossible to disobey.

A breeze lifted the hem of Richard’s white coat. He walked down the steps and looked across the distance. The entire royal gardens and stables were in view, including the woman who tamed the horse.

In his memory, the figure of a young girl riding a horse bore a striking resemblance.

-

Due to the terrifying ordeal, Dina left first and returned to Serene Palace.

On the other hand, Jane went back to the Zen Palace.

As a rule, the queen had to be greeted by all the concubines. However, very few concubines had come to see her. Most of them either claimed to be sick or were busy with internal affairs.

Jane had no intention of keeping up false pretenses with them. She dismissed those who came, telling them to return to their palaces.

Not long after, someone came to pass on the king's decree.

"Your Majesty, the king found out that you saved the queen dowager this morning. He has rewarded you with a pair of gold hair ornaments. In addition, you are ordered to supervise the beheading of that crazy horse-"

The news depressed Lily. Since when did the supervision of beheading fall within the queen's responsibility? Besides, it was the beheading of a pregnant mare. The tyrant king was truly cruel and unreasonable.

Jane seemed indifferent. There was not a trace of anger or sadness on her face. Even the royal servant who delivered the message was puzzled.

The queen seemed very resilient.

-

In the afternoon, the stablemaster led the horse out of the royal stable and prepared for the execution.

The staff all loved horses, and pleaded with the queen.

"Your Majesty, can't you convince the king to retract the order? This is a fine horse that has been to war!"

Jane gripped the reins and gently stroked the horse's belly. She looked calmly into the horse's eyes. She then spoke in a soft voice.

"Behead it."

The executioner led the horse to a servant, instructing them to hold the horse still. One stroke of his ax and its head would fall.

Jane sat in the supervisor's seat, which was a few feet away. There was a cold and detached look in her eyes. Not a hint of compassion could be found. She seemed even more indifferent than the executioner.

The executioner raised his ax. Just as the blade was about to fall, the servant in charge of restricting the horse suddenly felt a numbness in his wrist.

The moment he let go of the rope, the horse reared and galloped off.

The executioner and the royal guards were alarmed.

"Stop it!"

Jane observed silently as if she had nothing to do with this.

However, Lily clearly saw Jane using a stone as a concealed weapon. It had struck the servant's wrist and given the horse an opportunity to escape.

After that, Jane secretly attacked the royal guards, making it look like they tripped over stones on the ground.

There was no way they could outrun the horse. They could only watch while it galloped further and further away, eventually disappearing into the royal forest beyond the stable.

-

In the royal study, overlapping shadows surrounded a man on the throne. There was a coldness in his eyes.

The golden lion on his robe had horrifying claws and a fierce, majestic gaze. However, it was not as terrifying as the look in the man's eyes. Nobody dared to look into his eyes directly.

The royal guards knelt on the ground.

"Y-Your Majesty, the horse ran into the royal forest. I-It's disappeared without a trace-"

George sat on his throne without saying a word. His piercing gaze sent chills down their spines.

A servant walked in with news. "Your Majesty, the queen is outside to ask for forgiveness!"

George finally spoke. "The queen was ineffective in supervising the beheading. Her income will be terminated for a year. The rest of her maids will be dismissed and expelled from the palace."

The servant went out to deliver the news before returning.

"Your Majesty, the queen thanks you for your generosity."

The atmosphere in the study became increasingly terrifying.

George suddenly stood. His tall figure seemed to cast a shadow that enveloped all else. Nobody dared to make a sound.

"Very well, my queen."

It was hard to fathom the king's heart. He did not necessarily mean well when he said so.

-

Back in Serene Palace, Dina felt a strong sense of injustice on behalf of the queen.

"Wendy has only just entered the palace. She needs to be taken care of. If George terminates her income now, how will she rule?"

However, even Dina could not alter the royal order.

-

In the Cloud Palace, a maid delivered the news to Helena.

"Your Highness, the queen was only married yesterday, and she's already been punished today!"

Helena did not seem surprised. It was almost as if she had expected such an outcome.

George had always been merciless to women he did not like.

-

The next day, Jane encountered a gentleman in white on her way to Serene Palace.

She immediately recognized him as Richard, the man who exchanged vows with her on George's behalf.