The head concubine is a lady full of grace and elegant in her bearings despite her humble background and lack of etiquette education from childhood. She took several etiquette lessons and caught up with her peers learning and growing to be the woman she is now. No one can dare to mock her about this again after showing her terrifying side.
From working as a palace maid to becoming the head concubine, she has seen a lot of things over the years and has grower with several painful experiences. She has learned to grow sharp and cunning and won't hesitate to rid any obstacles with any means.
Her maiden name is Hanna.
When the gap opened up earlier she was scared by something, by Winter's reaction. It made her wary and cautious. Winter didn't have any reaction then and that's exactly what made her wary.
Also when the woman looked down on her she was too calm as if they weren't talking to her. Everything she have been doing all day seems to have no effect on the girl like she is a big piece of unmovable rock. Instead the girl is actively searching for any sign of weakness and she is sure this girl will fully exploit it.
The people by her side made matter worse, they are cooperative with the plan but the ingrained pride and arrogance still broke through and they almost made a slip up. The girl would have take advantage of the gap and bring them down but it seems she isn't interested in doing that for now.
A fear gradually grew in her mind, it moved at a fast pace like some disease and attach strongly to her mind, it had taken a deep root before she found out. Remembering back to the days when she haven't entered the palace harem, the fear of the young noble ladies in their beautiful and exquisite life and doting parents made her tremble. She was just a farm girl and the fear that had taken root can't just disappear with her in power.
Now the fear is mutating, becoming the fear of the young girl Winter.
"You may leave"
"Uh?"
Several murmurs and confused glaces was directed her way and it took her a lot of composure to keep her head straight.
"Your highness?" Winter said a little confused she was abruptly woken up from her thoughts by Anna.
She racked her brain trying to think of any significant things or àction she might have taken since entering, the only thing worth noting is her entrance. Since she was honestly surprised with the unity in the room and has being trying to find the weakness.
Winter's eyes narrowed at the people wondering if it's another trick. She is very certain little maids words can't threaten them or faze them. And she is very sure the look on little maid meant her thoughts are also something that can't scare them.
'what are this woman exact thoughts?"
"You may leave miss Powers" Hanna said again, if one paid attention they will notice the tremble at the end of her voice. The girl aura had that moment was so powerful she almost fell on her knee.
She wasn't the only one hat felt the girl's aura, the people in the room felt a shiver go up their spine and the air in the room tightened almost suffocating. Each one tried their best to breath not too loudly for fear of angering the girl.
All this didn't affect little maid as she kept staring at Winter with renewed awe amd respect. She is immediately reassured her decision of following Winter isn't wrong and she is a better leader than the crown prince. In her heart the miss is a cool and calm figure capable of tearing anyone apart. All through the meetings that have been to, Winter is the one dominating them, she ruthlessly stepped in their dignity and made them fools.
Her crown prince sight is also impeccable, sporting a worthy crown princess in a crowd. Only his behavior is wrong. Instead of wooing the beauty, he kidnapped her!
She will get the proper revenge on the crown prince later on behalf of the miss.
The miss is just too cool.
Winter's mouth twitched rapidly and she suddenly shuddered.
'is the little maid in love with me?'
Fortunately or unfortunately no one in the room can hear her thoughts.
"I look forward to seeing the royal harm in tonight's event" Winter nodded at the and left the room, her back straight and proud.
The faces of those left in the room didn't look good, they 'invited' her for her to cancel the event and she insulted them by inviting them to the event. The girl is so rude and bold, who knows what she will become when she marries the crown prince, it will be an unspeakable disaster.
"Why did you let her go?!" Felix jumped up angrily and shouted at Hanna.
He was itching to hear when the girl will agree to their 'request' and will be hidden by them, then he can do whatever he wants to her and that rude servant beside her, no one will talk since that's what everyone secretly wants. His mom will nicely clean up the mess like she has always done.
But the girl leaving the room is like fish out of bait.
"Yes head concubine, why let those girls go?!" A concubine said spitefully, she is the same one from earlier. Even if they can't get Winter at least they could have detained the servant beside her, like Felix the opportunity is gone.
"With a little more coaxing she would have fallen nicely"
Several murmurs if agreement sounded each one stating their reasons.
"No she won't" A concubine spoke up. She is also aware of the situation like Hanna and knew the initiative is already in Winter's hands with a little more time she will completely dominate the room and their situation then will be worse.
The concubine's eyes are filled with tenderness and happiness unlike the rest making her stand out. Even when she talked it didn't sound spiteful or vicious like the rest, she sound like she is anticipating something.
Hanna looked over and recognized her she nodded and smiled.
'at least one of them is smart' she signed relieved.
"What do you she won't be coaxed, I have a lot of ladies like her falling at my feet with a little coaxing,she isn't any different!" Felix shouted angrily and stare at the concubine. There seems to be a personal grudge in between.
The concubine didn't say anything, she turned calmly to Hanna.
Hanna nodded her gaze at the woman a bit respectful.
"The prince Felix shall be taken out and whipped 30 strokes no less for disregarding etiquette and his rising thuggish behavior" Hanna ordered coldly.
"Ma?" Felix stared at his mother dumbstruck unable to believe it. His eyes lingered on her till the guards pushed him out of the room.
The concubines in the room were effectively shut up. They had agreed with him and had not yet have a chance to voice out the agreement when she ordered the whipping. Hanna has never laid a hand on her son since birth having given birth at an advanced age later than most. The concubines knew she intentionally punished him in front of them to out them in check. She can be said to be ruthless in this way.
The descendants in the room weren't faring better but they felt some joy seeing the tyrant finally punished.
"Head.."
"This meeting is over!"
Winter walked down the hallway still feeling surprised and happy. Luckily she didn't do much before they released her and sadly for the same reason. She isn't sure her influence has take a deep root in their minds but is certain Hanna will help to some extent with that, the problem is will it be enough?
"Ah" she signed tiredly. Being a genius is tiring.
"Miss can you wait here a moment? I need to get something" Little maid excused herself and ran off.
Winter just watched the girl flee away. She wondered if the girl will report to Prince.
"Hello"
Winter turned around and saw a woman with a young man standing behind her, the both are familiar, especially the young man.
"Hello" Winter nodded in response.
"Do you remember me?" The young man asked.
" Yes" Winter nodded.
He is the young man that helped her in a fight against those girls on her first night. He is one of Prince brothers, prince Jay.
"Do you know me too?" The woman asked a little hopeful.
"Of course you can't know me" she refuted her own words.
"No I don't know you" Winter still answered calmly. Of course she knew the woman but she cannot know her.
"I am his mother, one of the women in the room earlier" she is the concubine that spoke up with anticipation.
"Mm" Winter hummed nonchalantly.
The woman smiled happily and gently patted Winter's arm"don't worry am on your side"
She said and stared at Winter with reluctance before leaving.
"Bye sis" Jay winked and leave.
Winter smiled, her eyes lingering on the woman's back.
"This palace is just immersed in complicated relationships"
No sooner has she finished her words before she is enveloped in darkness.
..
Hello, ghost here..
I had to update early last week due to having an occasion, the updates are still on Saturdays.
(•‿•)
I feel like I should give the crown prince a name.
Mm? O_o