Chapter 2

The new royal wife had stayed quietly in her chambers for days. If she had a tail, it would tuck between her legs.

 By the time the King had visited her that night, Lily had washed up and calmed down reasonably. She had served him more cautiously than before, knowing full well that he holds her fate in his hands.

 She only nodded at the point as he said, "you had erred, my flower. You should be punished for that, yes?"

 As he gently applied a soothing cream onto her face, she snuggled into his palm to be closer to him, even if her cheek tingled in pain from that action.

 He sighed as if his heart aches at her pitiful state, "my beautiful flower."

 The new wife dared not ask why the King did not stand up for her and give in to whatever the First Royal says. It was Irish's fault, she reasoned. Such beauty was magnetic, demonic, even she almost keeled when she first saw her.

 It was not the King's fault.

 The King stayed the night, and she returned to being a proud peacock. She might have demoted, but the King's affection never faltered.

 The new wife was burning with humiliation, the memory of every strike on her face still fresh in her mind. She will make Irish pay after her face heals.

 Irish does not give a damn about what the new wife thinks.

 She is now in third wife's Rose's chambers, heartened that she is awake.

 The second wife also visited the third wife, Rose. She was seated on Rose's bed and tearing with joy that her friend had survived the ordeal. Consort Archie had been ridden with guilt that she could not help Rose that day. Even though there were too many attendants making sure no one could get to her.

 Rose consoled her friend, "it was not your fault Archie. Even if I were in your position, I would not have been able to help. She was a Royal new wife. With the powers bestowed upon her due to her rank alone, she would have given you a worse ending if you had gotten to me. I am glad that it was me she had pushed into the pond instead of you. Sweet Archi," Rose said teasingly, "you wouldn't have lasted."

 Archie couldn't help but smile through her tears. Her friend is now well enough to poke fun at her.

 Rose requested, "Now that you are the stronger of us two, help me get up, please."

 Archie complied. Rose sat up and shifted till she was on her knees facing Irish.

 "Forgive me, your highness, that I am too weak to pay you my respects or express my gratitude properly."

 Irish frowned but did not stop or interrupt Rose.

 Rose continued, her throat strained from talking too much, "my attendants had informed me of your kindness. Thank you, I might not have awakened if not for your herbs and swift action that day."

 As early as the Irish got news from a frantic maid, she had sent multiple attendants to pull Rose out of the water and summoned an imperial physician to tend to her by the pond.

 Archie got off the bed and kneeled as well. She bowed her head to the ground.

 "Your highness, I thought that I would lose my precious friend that day. I speak for myself and Rose that we are honoured to have you as Country Silver's First Royal wife, and we are in your debt. One day, we will return your favour." Determination bellied Archie's words.

 How could she not be grateful to the Irish? She had gone beyond her duty as First Royal wife to ensure their well-being, two consorts who would not have been missed if anything untoward had happened. Everyone also knows the twenty slaps were revenge, for Rose and Archie could not even lay a scratch on a new wife, neither with her father as a general nor with her holding the King's affections. Irish had risked her position to the King, who owns them all, who had nothing to give in return.

 Irish had never expected to hear the steel in Archie's voice.

 Irish smiled genuinely and shook her head, "there is no need to repay me. For it is our Country's blessing to have as such beautiful people - resilient and steadfast. It would bring joy to me if both of you would recover and be well."

 He pulled Archie to her feet, and Rose back to a resting position, the sincerity in her eyes conveying that she said what she meant.

 Rose and Archie learned the First Royal wife is kind and just, and utterly different from the rumours. Why would the people say she was nothing but a jealous simpleton?

(Country silver is named after its speciality as purest and finest silver are made, country silver is known for its silver and royal jewellery. It is one of the powerful countries in the world, with King Edward as a ruler)