Chapter 2

To make it up to Jane, Edward spent every day with her, boating on the lake, hunting in the woods, and even accompanying her back to her hometown to visit her mother's grave.

During that time, I wasn't idle either.

Day in and day out, I stuck close to the Queen, managing palace affairs and networking with the other ladies of the court.

The Queen was truly the most powerful woman. Every word she said was something I'd mull over for days.

By the time the blossoms covered the branches, and Edward returned with Jane from her hometown, I'd already hosted my second palace party, all thanks to the Queen's guidance.

Giana Norwood, Countess of Nardenvale, said to the Queen jokingly, "Sophia is so graceful. If Your Majesty hadn't pointed it out, we wouldn't believe someone this talented is just a concubine."

That was how the nobles talked. On the surface, Giana praised me, but in fact, it was a clever way to flatter Jane and the royal family.

But the moment Jane got back to the capital, she was told I was the one running the party.

Now, hearing Giana's comment, Jane couldn't help but feel like Giana was throwing shade at her.

Not even caring that the Queen was right there, Jane grabbed her red whip and waved it straight at Giana.

Giana might not have much status herself, but her husband, Fletcher Norwood, was the Earl of Nardenvale and the commander of an army of forty thousand soldiers.

With that whip, Jane could've sent those forty thousand troops to pledge allegiance to Edward's rival, Henry Lancaster, the seventh prince.

My body moved before my mind could catch up. I jumped in front of Giana. The whip hit my back with a loud crack, and the pain made me gasp.

A servant of the Queen immediately restrained Jane, and the Queen was furious. "Jane, this is the royal palace, not a place for you to act out.

"Attacking a lady of the court and carrying weapons inside the palace... What punishment do you deserve for such crimes?"

Jane's eyes were red and watery. She stammered, "But the whip didn't land on Giana, did it?

"Why did you treat me like that, Your Majesty? Sophia is just a concubine, but you put her on a pedestal. How am I supposed to face everyone?

"Giana is just a social climber, using me as a stepping stone to suck up to Sophia. Of course I'm pissed off."

The Queen's good mood was completely ruined.

She raised her hand and slapped Jane hard across the face. "You fool. Giana is a paragon of virtue and grace, the very model of a noble lady. How could she be the type to gossip?

"Apologize to Giana and Sophia, now."

The Queen praised Giana to calm her down, worried that Giana would go home and complain to Fletcher. But Jane was totally missing the point about what the Queen was trying to do.

Jane stomped her foot and said, "I get it, Your Majesty. You've always looked down on me for my background. Now that Sophia's around, you never see me in a good light.

"Since you're Edward's mother, I'll let it slide for his sake. But if anyone thinks they can step all over me, I'm not putting up with it."

With that, she shot Giana and me a fierce glare and then stormed off.

The noble ladies were left staring at each other in stunned silence.

Giana, eyes still a bit red, tried to reassure the Queen. "Jane's just forthright. Honestly, we're all fond of her. There's no need for apologies."

Then, with a look of concern, Giana gently brushed my hair. "Sophia, you're the one who got hurt. You should really put some ointment on the scar soon.

"After all, it's been half a year since you married Edward, and you two still haven't shared a bed. If you end up with a scar because of me, it would be a crime I could never atone for."

I couldn't help but smirk.

Smart people really did make everything much easier.

What could be better than having Giana point out that Edward was ignoring me, but I helped Jane clean up her mess and got hurt to protect Edward's reputation?