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The Ladies of Evenfall, along with the household knights, finally arrived at Witherhall, welcomed by a colder breeze in the morning.
As a Witherhall custom, the betrothed were forbidden to meet until the wedding dawn. As a guest, The Lady Mother was accommodated by the King himself and his friends at court. Lady Eru was then invited by the Princess for afternoon tea.
Eru has not rendered a warmer charm on the Princess ever since. Yeji was only expected to welcome her warmly as Eru was also expected to pretend to love her. She was afraid of her.
"Riki has a fiery temper, that I can tell you." Yeji said, calmly sipping a cup of tea as if her only job was to scare the younger who was in front of her, trying to keep her composure. "You will never know when it's coming, really."
Eru could only keep her eyes on the brim, gently running her finger around it. "I will try to make him happy with all the best I can, Your Grace. I know I may not be the fitted wife for his—"
Yeji laughed derisively. "Oh, please. I'm done with all the false concerns for that wretched boy. I do understand you never wanted to be in this place, my lady."
Eru was quick to look down, thinking she never would have said those things.
"Anyhow..." Yeji squirmed on her seat, crossing her legs. "I have something to show you. Something that may interest you, too."
She cued for the guards on the side to fetch a little mouse. And as they did, the handmaids handed the princess her favorite crossbow, causing Eru's puzzlement.
After a short moment, her eyes widened upon seeing a girl in a tarnished white cotton dress. She had a fresh bluish bruise on the corner of her lips, and wounds all around her arms and feet.
"This is a plaything, my lady." Yeji said with a deep smile, aiming her bow on the helpless lady.
She was close to protest when the princess commanded her handmaids. "Undress her."
The lady wailed, kneeling, pleading for the princess to cease her game. But it wasn't a game. Yeji could prove everyone that.
"This is my lord husband's mistress. I've been turning a blind eye for too long now, Eru. Don't you think it's time I should handle justice with my own hands?"
"Your Grace..." Eru tried to reach out to Yeji, but was stopped when she stood from her seat.
"It is not mercy to kill such an innocent, young figure, Lady Eru, no matter how much this harrowing whore deserves nine hells, and perhaps more. My husband did enjoy that dirty little cunt of hers for some nights. But those nights will be over now. What I'm showing you, Eru, is mercy to itching tarts like her. You might need to do this as well one day."
"Please, Your Grace. You need to compose yourself." Eru was not in the place to say those things, but she would not tolerate any bloodshed today.
"I'm begging, your Grace." Finally, the poor lady spoke with the last of her voice. "Please let me go, I will forget this happened. Just spare my life. I'm begging you."
The moment the princess grinned eagerly was the moment Eru knew she would do no such thing.
"If you can dodge my arrow, you are free to leave, Shae. I'm really hoping you would."
The lady was given a chance to run. She did for a time, before one arrow pierced her left feet, knocking her down stripped, tortured, naked, and humiliated. Even the guards and handmaids could only look at the sight as though there was indeed justice served.
"Don't pick her up." Yeji muttered, tossing her bow to the ground before deciding to leave.
