Perhaps two years of playing the dignified role of queen had inured her to restraint. Despite the ill-fitting garments and the arduous position she endured with stoic perseverance, that brief, fleeting period had left an indelible mark. A place where anger was muted and emotions concealed, where every action was measured against the scrutiny of others.
How different had she been before ascending the throne? Once, when insulted, she retaliated with double the force; when ignored, she crushed her opponents with overwhelming strength. Status, size, and wealth were irrelevant. Provocation was met with a sharp retort. She knew silence was a surrender to disregard and contempt.
“Just stay put. Watch and do not intervene,” she ordered Matthias.
While she still harbored no desire for conflict, enduring Adella’s harassment would only embolden her tormentor. She was willing to bear the burden alone, but she would not allow Matthias to be affected.
Countless eyes followed as she hobbled along with Matthias’s support. Amidst the curious stares, Odelliana offered a wry smile. “With so many servants at your disposal, is it truly so difficult to ensure a child is properly fed?” she muttered, her grip tightening on the butter knife. Without hesitation, she advanced towards her target.
“What is it, my lady?”
Odelliana relinquished the cane to Matthias and leaned on it herself. “Stay put,” she mouthed, before approaching Adella. Adella’s gaze flickered briefly to the knife, but her expression relaxed when she realized it was harmless.
“Would you care for some butter on your bread?” Adella offered with a saccharine tone.
“No,” Odelliana replied curtly.
“Then what has brought you out of your chambers in such apparent discomfort?” Adella smiled gently.
“It seems the servants are poorly trained.”
“Hardly,” Odelliana retorted. “They’ve undergone rigorous training since childhood and are considered the finest in Reveln.”
“Perhaps, then, the problem lies with the one setting the example,” Odelliana suggested, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Are you implying that I am at fault?” Adella asked, feigning innocence.
“Your uncanny ability to comprehend insults suggests a mind remarkably adept at such tasks,” Odelliana replied, her voice sharp.
Adella’s face contorted into a mask of rage, then softened into a condescending smile. Her voice, gentle and patronizing, resembled that of a parent placating a child. “My lady, if there’s a problem with me, perhaps it’s due to my long service to a lowly master. As they say, servants mirror their masters. One keeps servants befitting their own stature. To insult me is to insult yourself.”
A peal of laughter erupted from her chest. The situation seemed to amuse her immensely.
“How fascinating,” Odelliana responded, her voice laced with contempt. “To you, cruelty is mere amusement.”
Her patience snapped. This was a mistake she would not repeat. Regret washed over her as she realized she should have heeded Matthias’ warning. With a swift, deliberate motion, she hurled the butter knife.
The blunt blade sliced into the corner of Adella’s mouth, tearing flesh rather than cutting clean. A crimson tide erupted from the ragged wound. The force behind the throw was fueled by raw fury, a power that belied the innocuous weapon.
“Your laughter is quite becoming,” Odelliana said, her voice dripping with venom.
A deafening scream ripped from Adella’s throat as she collapsed. Her hands flew to her bleeding face, and terror consumed her eyes. The realization of the blood slicking her palms transformed her face into a ghostly pallor.
Her facial muscles twitched uncontrollably as another blood-curdling scream tore from her throat. Her eyes, wide with shock, locked onto Odelliana.
“There are three kinds of people to avoid,” Odelliana said coldly. “The wealthy, the powerful, and the mad.”
Adella’s mind raced, unable to comprehend what had transpired. Desperate, she fumbled for a mirror, her mouth agape. The sight that met her reflection was a grotesque caricature of herself. The wound, a jagged, crimson gash, stretched from her mouth to her ear. Another scream erupted, a sound of pure terror.
