WINIFRED
I have to admit, it has been a while since I was so blatantly insulted by someone. In all 27 years of my life, I had been humiliated, made to feel guilty for existing and ignored like trash of the earth. This body eventually suffered the same fate. Which was why I wasn't going to let anyone insult us ever again.
"Lady Freya, I am aware that there is some kind of punishment for insulting a royal. Could you remind me what it is?"
"They would be flogged in the streets, my lady."
"Even a noble lady?"
"Noble ladies are usually flogged in the house in which they transgressed or in the palace publicly, my lady."
"So, Lady Aubrey, you heard her. Would you like them to fetch a branch in the garden or would you prefer a whip?"
"What are you saying?! You couldn't possibly think you're a royal, could you?!"
"I am a descendant of his majesty, the king. I am of royal blood so, I am a royal. Do you want to know what's better? I have the prince on my side. It's Lady Freya's and my word over yours."
"Do you know who I am?!"
"Are you a royal?"
"My family is a noble family…"
"If you're not a royal, I don't have to care about you or your family. Not being able to see means I have the special privilege of knowing who's ugly on the inside right away. And since Lady Freya hasn't bothered to introduce you to me, I can say you're not as important as you come across. So, Lady Aubrey, where's my apology?"
"You cannot speak to me in this…"
"What is going on here?"
It was Prince Ferdinand's voice. I didn't expect him to come so soon. Then again, perhaps he could have a brain in that cranium, who knows?
"It's nothing, your highness."
"Winifred?"
"Lady Aubrey was giving me a wonderful demonstration of how important the laws of this kingdom are."
"A demonstration?"
"Yes. She has been referring to me as a thing since she started speaking about me. I was curious about the punishment for insulting a noble and I was informed by the honorable Lady Freya that she would be flogged."
"Don't listen to her, your highness. Nothing like that happened."
"Lady Aubrey, are you insisting that Winifred is lying to me?"
"Your highness, because of her…special condition, her sense of judgement may be wrong."
"Lady Aubrey, Winifred is not stupid and she doesn't make it a habit to lie and deceive others. I will send a letter to your father and ban you from all my events until Winifred decides to forgive you. But even if she insists that you're flogged, the ban still stays."
"Mercy, your highness!"
"Don't touch me, Lady Aubrey. I don't think a thing like you understands the importance of these clothes."
He does have a good head on his shoulder. He dealt with the problem swiftly and it was enough warning to those who wanted to look down on me in the future.
"Winifred, have you been able to talk to others yet? Darryl?"
"Unless they come up and introduce themselves, there is nothing I can do."
"You are right. I'll tell them to introduce themselves to you. You are the focus of this event after all."
"Yes, I'm glad you remembered."
He chuckled and I feel his lips on my forehead. I can no longer hear him so I presume he has left.
"You handled that remarkably well, Lady Winifred. I couldn't have done it better."
"I just know how to use certain things to my advantage. So, tell me, Lady Freya, do you still want her to be flogged?"
"…what?"
"Seeing how proud she was and how eagerly she insulted a royal, she must've done something like that in the past, especially to you. It's up to you. Do you want her to be flogged?"
"I…"
"Greetings, Lady Winifred. I am Madam Elena. These are my sons, Lloyd and Floyd."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Winifred," I heard two childish voice say at the same time.
"Are they twins, Lady Freya?"
"Yes, my lady."
At the time I met them, I had no idea what our future relationship would become. The only reason I even became friends with those two was…
"Mother! Mother! Look at that scar! Isn't it fascinating?!"
I felt Darryl clutch my hand and I could tell he was hiding his face.
"Madam Elena, didn't you teach your children that it is rude to just point out people's features, especially one that they're most insecure about?"
"They didn't mean to be rude, Lady Winifred. They aren't insulting him. They are truly fascinated with his scar."
"Lady Freya?"
"She is correct, my lady. These boys have a grin so wide, their face could split if it grows any wider. Come on, Darryl, say hi to the twins. It looks like they want to be your friend."
"Friend?!"
"Can we really be his friend?!"
"Of course you can. But if you're going to be his friend, then you're going to have to be Lady Winifred's friend as well."
"Okay!"
In hindsight, that was a horrible decision to ignore. Still, they say everything happens for a reason.