Bailey woke up once more, finding that the pain in her back had dulled.
The air carried the bittersweet scent of medicine, and as soon as Meghan saw her stir, she hurriedly brought the remedy.
Bailey deliberately sniffed and recognized the presence of blood nourishing and fortifying herb. Knowing their harmlessness, she swallowed the elixir in one gulp.
With complete clarity, she accepted her sorroundings, fully conscious once more.
Formally a Queen, Bailey held a position above tens of thousands in the opposing realm of Ufrurg. She was an accomplished healer and a pearless sorceress, her ability and divine powers dedicated solely to serving the king of Ufrurg.
On the other hand, Miss.Noel, the daughter of the esteemed grand tutor, suffered from a tarnished reputation scorned by the upper echelons of the society.
Since their first encounter, were Rory had been the object of her shameless pursuit. Bailey had witnessed Ms. Noel's lack of restraint.
She had even dared to infiltrate Rory's chambers during a palace banquet, intentionally drugging him with 'aphrodisiac' leading to a moment of 'inapropriety' while he remains unaware.
Rory had been compelled to take in Bailey as his wife in order to preserve the royal honor.
Now occupying Bailey's body, she couldn't help but feel the unique helplessness of the situation. She struggled to fathom the depth of the original host's grievances, which had accumulated into a seething reservoir of hatred, summoning her for revenge.
Yet, Bailey's memories provided her no clues, leaving her increasingly perplexed.
Suddenly, a strange fragrance reached her senses.
Bailey eyes snapped opened, and she spotted a pure white cat leaping through the window.
Fluent in the language of Animal's, she locked eyes with the feline for a few seconds, causing it upright tail to soften as it snuggle beside her, seeking her favor.
Drawing nearer, Bailey couldn't help but notice the unusually captivating aroma enamating from the cat.
Curiosity piqued, she scooped up the feline when suddenly, footsteps echoed from the doorway.
An intruder had boldly entered her sanctuary, callously snatching the cat away, causing it to bristle with fury.
It was none other than Nanny Eva, Brenna's loyal attendant.
Nanny Eva cast an unamused glance at Bailey and uttered "I saw Grant run into your chambers! I trust the Queen wouldn't hold it against me?"
"And why wouldn't I?"
Bailey's tone turned cold as she warned sternly "you dared to infiltrate my private quarters and immediately subject me to questioning. Do you comprehend your place? Is this how Ms. Mack trains her servant?"
Nanny Eva stood frozen in place, her gaze fixed to Bailey as she stared at her in astonishment.
It was peculiar how this woman, merely sitting there, exude an oppressive aura that chills down her spine.
" I was con cencerned about the cat, hence.... "
" so you found it appropriate to trespass and interrogate my house?"
Reluctantly, Nanny Eva replied, her dissatisfaction evident "I wouldn't dare"
"it seems your audacity knows no bounds. Not only did you question me but even the cat trembles in your presence! Quivering at the mere sight of you. Truly, what an impressive servant you are!"
Nanny Eva's defensiveness grew and she quickly retorted "That not true. How could I dare to question you, your highness! Furthermore, this cat belongs to the princess, we share a strong bond, how can it be afraid of me?"
Bailey beckoned to the cat with her finger "Come, Grant, let me hold you"
Without any hesitation, Grant swiftly escaped from Nanny Eva's grip, nestling affectionately into Bailey's embrace, leaving Nanny Eva astounded and at a loss for words.
Bailey, unaffected, stood up and asked "Nanny Eva, have you seen?"
Fearful that Bailey might take the cat away, Nanny Eva quickly grapsed it and said "I made a mistake, please forgive me your highness!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she sprinted away, completely disregarding Bailey.
"Stop!" Bailey stared coldly at her "Did I allow you to leave?"
"What are your orders, your highness?"
PA!
With a resounding slap, Bailey struck at her face fiercely.
"Daring to disrespect your master, a slap is the least you deserve. Now! Get lost and don't think you'll get away so easily next time"
Nanny Eva held her face, her narrowed eyes filled with resentment, and she stormed off, brimming with anger.
When Meghan returned, she happened to see Nanny Eva's displeased expression. She hurriedly ran back and asked "my Queen, did Nanny Eva come to cause trouble again."
Bailey casually replied" I just slapped that wretched servant "
This greatly alarmed Meghan" She is a member of the consort's entourage, if she reports back to the consort and the king finds out, your days may become even more difficult "
Bailey didn't pay attention to that insolent servant.
" She's just a servant who dared to insult her mistress. Can't I strike her!"
Meghan carefully applied the medicine to her, wearing a worried expression on her face.
Later that evening, a tall figure strodes in with large strides. Rory's once calm face was now filled with icy disdain.
" Bailey, I've repeatedly warned you to stay away from Brenna, yet you repeatedly push my boundaries. This time, not only did you harm her cat, but you also struck her nanny. How could you be so arrogant!"
Bailey calmly sipped her tea and asked" Did you witness me abusing the cat, your majesty? "
Rory shook his head and said " You still won't admit it? The cat had a fresh wound on it's front paw, wasn't it your doing."
Bailey seems to find it amusing,coldly smirking with an icy gaze that make him uncomfortable.
Rory felt uneasy under her scrutinizing gaze.
" I admit I hit someone but didn't harm the cat. How can someone dare to dish regard my authority. You like Ms. Mack, I understand that. But I dislike being falsely accused, why don't you bring her here to confront me face to face?"
" Brenna was heartbroken about Grant's injuries, she couldn't even speak through her tears. How could she have the energy to come and meet you? I have eyes, and I can see the truth. I thought those fifty lashes would help you behave, but you've become even more brazen! "
Bailey wasn't a pushover, anyone's whims couldn't scare her.
" So, you do have eyes, unfortunately they are blind to the truth. No wonder you adore Ms. Mack so much. You have the same talent of shifting blames and turning the tables, Who was in the wrong yesterday? I suffered severe injuries but I didn't even get an apology!"
" And now you think I deserve to die! Even princess Aimee could frame and shift blames, so why can't the cuncubine be capable of doing it? Is it because she's even more noble than Aimee? Or is it that you intentionally protect her? "
Rory eyes turned red from anger as he prepared to take action, but just as he was about to, a sweet and delicate voice echoed from the doorway," My lord, please don't be angry"
It was Brenna!
She arrived just in time!
Bailey felt a surge of anger rushed through her heart, causing her to frown. Could the original host's grievances be related to Brenna.
Soon, a tender and delicate woman walked gracefully into the room. Brenna's eyes were red, tears streaked down her face, portraying a deeply aggrieved expression.
The tearful plea of this stunning beauty, her eyes glistening like raindrops on pear blossom, no wonder Rory wanted to stand up for her!
Brenna, delicate and helpless, leaned into Rory's embrace. "My lord, there must be a misunderstanding in this matter. The Queen has a kind heart and would never harm Grant. There must be a case of mistaken identity."
Rory tenderly caressed her cheek with an indulgent gaze"Brenna you shouldn't always defend her! "
Bailey sneered "Did you hear that, My lord? Even the concubine says it's a misunderstanding and I didn't do it. You've truly misunderstood me!"
Brenna was taken aback, clearly not expecting her to say such a thing.
Why wasn't she crying and causing a scene!
This didn't seem like the Queen consort she knew!
Rory was infuriated by her presumptuous tone" Brenna speaks for you because she is kind hearted and doesn't want me to punish you! But look at you, escalating the situation without remorse! "
" Ms. Mack is this what you mean, are you willing to sacrifice yourself to cover the Queen consorts mistake? "
No matter how you look at it, this scheming woman didn't look like someone who would back out easily!
Bailey stared coldly at Brenna, making her too scared to raise her head.
How could she maintain such an imposing presence even after being slapped?
" you dare to ask that, Wicked woman? I have tolerated you for far too long! Don't blame me for being unkind to you!"
Tolerate her!
Bailey had been the one enduring them for too long!
Bailey asked with a half smile "who is enduring whom? If I truly injured the cat, I'm willing to be punished. But if I'm innocent then I wonder if the king would bring himself to punish the concubine for deliberately inciting discord!"
Without waiting for his reaction, she instructed Meghan" bring Grant and Nanny Eva here, lets clarify everything face to face!"
Brenna looked at her in astonishment. This woman seems like a completely different person. Initially, she didn't believe Nanny Eva's words but now she felt guilty, however looking at Rory beside her, she regained her confidence.
Rory would never punish her, if it wasn't for Bailey's interference, may she would have been the queen consort!
He resented Bailey for stealing his love and felt deep guilt towards her. He would never stand with the Queen consort even if she were at fault. This woman's words are useless, even if she spoke eloquently!
Soon, Nanny Eva arrived with Grant in her arms!
Bailey immediately saw Grant's front paw wrapped in a guaze, blood seeping through, the wound seemed quite deep.
When Grant saw her it cried and Rory sensed the fear in the cat's eyes.
His face couldn't hide his anger. "Bailey, Grant is so afraid of you! What more do you have to say!"
"Grant!" Bailey softly called and the cat obediently jumped onto the table lying beside her.
She intended to hold it in her arms but Rory held her arm, his angry gaze suggesting he wanted to devour her alive.
" You still intend to hurt it"
Bailey's arm quickly turned red, completely exhausting her patience. She said coldly "if I don't check it's wound, how would I prove my innocent, king Rory? Are you trying to force a confession out of me?"
"your majesty, if the Queen consort wishes to see the wound then let her! Holding onto anger would only disturb the peace of the family!"
Brenna's persuasion indeed lessened the hostility emanating from Rory.
"very well, let's see how you can still argue your way out of this!"
Bailey calmly unwrapped the bandages from the cats body,Revealing a deep wound visible to the bone. It was clear that the injury only needed wrapping with the bandage and no proper cleaning was done!
The went to extreme, harming a small cat to frame her!
Unfortunately for them, their scheme was not clever at all.
She would have fallen into their if she was still the previous Bailey. But the Bailey now had seen all kinds of conspiracies and tricks. With such limited means, they dared to act recklessly under her nose?
Grant let out a pitiful meow and Bailey immediately understood what it meant.
She looked at Nanny Eva and asked "Nanny, does Grant usually scratch people?"
Brenna hurriedly answered "Grant is usually well-behaved. It would never scratch anyone on its own, please don't accuse the cat."
Bailey looked at her disdainfully and said. "Did I ask for you opinion? You have no say in this!"
Brenna but her lips, looking at Rory pitifully as if she had been greatly wronged.
Just as Rory was about to intervene, he heard Bailey ask" if someone intentionally harm Grant with a knife, won't it resist? "
Nanny Eva's eyes evaded quickly and she stuttered" This servant has never seen grant harm anyone. He is always well-behaved. "
Rory retorted" Are you trying to blame the cat for scratching you first before you fought back? Bailey, only you would come up with such an escuse! Grant is well-behaved, even if it injured you, it's because you attacked it first! "
Finally, this was what Bailey wanted to hear!
" The lords words made sense "
Rory was momentarily stunned, as he couldn't grasp the meaning.
Nanny Eva, however, understood what she had just said and she was terrified, sweating profusely and lowering her pale face.