Chapter 3

Nancy screamed, "This lunatic stole from the marquis' estate. She went mad after being punished. How did she get out? Someone, grab her."

The servants moved in to drag Glinda away, but she clung to me desperately. She shouted, "I'm not mad. I didn't steal anything. Don't hurt Shannon. If you have to hit someone, hit me!"

She threw herself over me, blocking my mother's cane with her own body.

My mother's face was dark with rage, her jaw clenched. "Fine, if that's what you want.

"Someone, bring out the whip! Today, we will carry out the punishment publicly, so everyone knows how strict the Dennison family is when it comes to raising kids."

The whip was raised high. I squeezed my eyes shut and cried out with all my might, "No, please. Don't hit Glinda. Glinda, get out of here, quick."

Suddenly, the shout of a royal attendant echoed through the hall, "The royal decree is here."

Drums and music erupted as a procession swept in, with a royal attendant at its center.

It was Ralph Goddard, the Queen Dowager's personal attendant.

He glanced around at the packed courtyard, then at me being held down on the bench, a look of confusion flickering across his face.

With my hair all messy and covering my face, he couldn't really see me. He gave a friendly smile and said, "Today's a joyful occasion, your ladyship. No need to lose your temper."

My mother's face lit up with excitement as she grabbed Nancy's hand. "The palace must've heard about the engagement ceremony at the marquis' estate and sent us a gift."

The next moment, Ralph stepped into the hall, unfurled the royal decree, and read in a slow, solemn voice, "Shannon Dennison, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Kinville, is poised and wise, noble yet modest, and her filial devotion is exemplary.

"By the gracious command of the Queen Dowager, in recognition of her virtues, she is hereby granted the title of Lady of Joy."

Mother, beaming with joy, was about to accept the decree, but her face went stiff as soon as she heard its contents.

Ralph reminded, "Lady Shannon, why aren't you accepting the decree and thanking the Queen Dowager?"

Since Nancy was beside my mother, dressed in lavish attire, Ralph naturally assumed she was me and gave her a gentle reminder.

My mother tugged at Nancy's sleeve and gave her a pointed look. Nancy lifted her head and reached out her hand. "I accept the decree and thank the Queen Dowager for her great kindness."

But when she looked up, Ralph caught sight of her face and his eyes widened in shock.

He gasped, "How dare you! Who are you, posing as the marquis' true daughter to accept the decree? That's treason against the Queen Dowager herself!"

Nancy went as white as a sheet. "Please, Mr. Goddard, spare me! I swear I didn't mean to."

Ralph turned to my mother, his voice sharp. "Lady Kinville, what's going on here? Where's Lady Shannon?"

My mother stammered, unable to answer.

I forced myself to lift my face and said, "Forgive me, Mr. Goddard. I'm hurt and can't get up to accept the decree."

Ralph stared at me on the bench, going went pale with shock. "Lady of Joy? What happened here? Oh no, someone help! Who hurt you? Quick, call for the royal physician!"

The royal physician wasn't coming anytime soon, but the estate's doctor came rushing in.

He hurried over to treat me, but my back was such a bloody mess that he froze, not knowing where to even begin.

With the palace attendant delivering the royal decree, the whole fiasco unfolded right before everyone's eyes and the guests started buzzing in shock.

"Lady Shannon is the legitimate daughter? Then who exactly is Nancy, the one everyone thought was getting engaged?"

"Mr. Goddard would never mistake someone's identity. What's really going on here?"

My mother put on a strained smile and tried to explain, "Shannon misbehaved, so I had to discipline her. Please don't hold it against me, Mr. Goddard. It's normal for a mother to discipline her daughter, but I got a little carried away this time."

"You didn't just lose your temper. You were trying to beat my granddaughter to death to clear the way for Nancy." Grandmother's voice cut through the room as she entered, leaning on her gold-inlaid wooden cane.

"Grandmother!" I tried to get up, but the pain in my back was so sharp that I collapsed back onto the bench.

Grandmother rushed over and pulled me into her arms. "My poor Shannon, you've suffered so much. It's my fault for coming back too late and let you endure dozens of lashes right before my eyes."

She looked at me with tears in her eyes. "My dear Shannon, after all these years of living a life of prayer and abstinence, even going to Fivefold Peak in your cousin's stead, you come home only to be humiliated like this. Don't worry, Grandmother will make things right for you."

My mother rushed over, her face anxious. "Why did you come back all of a sudden? I could have brought you home."

Grandmother had always kept to herself, living in a separate courtyard to focus on her health. Before I returned to the estate, I sent her a letter. She must have hurried back as soon as she got it, just to see me.

Grandmother said, her voice cold, "If I'd let you come bring me home, how could I have seen you showing off your authority today?

"So you used my own granddaughter to throw your weight around, huh? That's some nerve."