After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the King and the Duke excused themselves to the study and disappeared into the garden. It was unclear what was discussed between them, but it seemed to be related to state affairs and neighbourly ties. The bond between the brothers were truly strong before the King met and fell in love with Charlotte too, I noted.

I felt utterly drained, sitting here amidst the incessant chatter nearby between the Queen Mother and Lady Buckingham, my temples pounded rhythmically like two drums. But I pinched myself into a poised seating posture and forced a painted smile as I lowered my gaze to the marble floors, trying to snuffle an impending yawn. The Queen Mother continued to cast me a few resentful glances in between conversation and made sure to be purposeful about leaving me an outcast. Naturally, Lady Buckingham didn’t risk crossing her, and kept any interactions with me to the minimum.

Treating me as invisible although a purposeful ostracising exercise by the Queen Mother as a sign of displeasure towards me, was oddly not at all uncomfortable for me – I was used to it after years of working in a corporate environment where I found myself fading into the background whenever I ate out with my bosses. Being a wallflower was in fact, second nature for me.

As time drifted on, the throbbing in my head seems to synchronize with the passing moments, each pulse marking the passage of time. It's as if every tick of the clock amplifies the ache, stretching minutes into endless eternities. The backlash of sleepless night was backfiring on me. I made a mental note to take the opportunity and free time on my hands to exercise and improve my health with all the nourishments that this ancient society had to offer. After all, I was a Duchess now – expensive herbs and tonics shouldn’t be difficult to obtain. I quietly raised my right hand to massage my temple, hoping to ease the pressure.

“Is Elizabeth displeased with my words?” the Queen Mother suddenly turned and shot the question, penetrating through my shroud of throbbing pain.

My hand froze as it met the Queen Mother’s chilly gaze.

I... I wasn’t paying attention. I was just trying to massage away a headache. What exactly did they say? This felt exactly like being called on by your boss for an opinion at a group meeting when you weren’t paying attention at an unrelated presentation.

I paused, but before I could react the Queen Mother persisted with another question, "Tell me, what are the most important values for a woman?"

It's like trying to retrieve something forgotten, clawing through the depths of memory. I strained to grasp at those elusive memories, like a forgetful student – I tried desperately to recall how the Queen Mother was like in the novel. I steadied my breath before responding, “In accordance with our ancestors’ teachings – women are to be loyal and obey their fathers before marriage and then their husbands after marriage.”

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“Going forward, you should focus on self-improvement and promoting harmony within the family. Only then will you be able to effectively manage the household and support your husband.” The Queen Mother turned her shoulders ever so lightly, as she lowered her head in begrudging approval.

When it came to giving me a lecture, the Queen Mother truly never missed a beat. She must detest Elizabeth.

“Thank you for your reminder, I will bear that in mind.”, I chimed respectfully, lowering my back in a humble bow.

Noticing the tension in the air, Lady Buckingham was quick to shift the topic. Lady Qi, noticing the unpleasant atmosphere, tactfully shifted the topic to the new goldfish in the imperial garden pond.

Feeling the tension between the Queen Mother and me, Lady Buckingham deftly diverted the subject to the new goldfish in the imperial garden pond. The Queen Mother’s eyes lit up as she chuckled, “Well, it is a beautiful day out there. I shouldn’t keep the flowers in the room – let’s go for a walk and see the fishes on the way.”

As the entourage made their way out, I hung behind. Lowering my back in respect and shuffling to the back. The Queen Mother strode at the front, Lady Buckingham by her side but ever so subtly a couple of steps behind while the servants followed in two orderly lines. As she approached the door, the Queen Mother paused. She shifted her step in a half-turn and waved her hand. “Follow along Elizabeth, what are you waiting for?”

I widened my eyes in surprise, my pupils darted around in a momentary frenzy. Thankfully, my bowed stature concealed my expression in the shadows. With a controlled breath, I regained my composure and curtsied in response before joining the procession at the tail. The other court ladies sought to please the Queen Mother, gathering around her as they excitedly discussed the fishes in the pond.

I relegated myself to a corner, an outsider in this unfamiliar world, I felt more at ease observing them from the side. Watching their excitement over the fishes, a wave of sympathy washed over me. Women in the past were regarded as objects or rather assets, they had little control over their lives and even lesser freedom. Even the swimming fishes was a rare luxury, only privy to the precious ladies of the court. It was an incredibly dull topic, but the chatter continued for hours.

I grimaced, how long more would I have to stay in this archaic society?

Almost as soon as the frown came, I felt a glance dart across the pavilion. I quickly looked up but it was gone almost as soon as it had come. Perhaps it was my imagination, I waved that thought away and painted on my professional smile.

As the ladies perched over the pavilion to take a better look at the fishes, flashbacks of movie scenes came to me – damsels in distress failing their hands for rescue. If the Queen Mother fell into the pond and I saved her, would that change her impression of me completely? I wasn’t an expert in the waters, but I did have a decent foundation with all my past swimming lessons. I might even be granted a plaque of bravery that could indemnify me of my past crimes!

I tried to hold in my chuckle at my fanciful day-dream. The Queen Mother was well-protected, why would she ever be in such a position? Living in these four walls where everybody wanted to gain her favour – she would never be silly enough to jump into the pond and nobody would dare to even so much as lay a finger on her.

Without warning, a forceful thrust disrupted my reverie. Shock surged through me as I stumbled forward, my balance betraying me, sending me careening into the chilling embrace of the pond. I let out a yelp. The world shifted, sound drowned in the rushing deluge of water that enveloped me.

The icy tendrils of the pond clawed at my skin, stealing the warmth from my body, and panic surged. Instinctively, I fought against the suffocating grip of the water, my heart pounding a frenzied rhythm against my chest. Confusion clouded my mind, mingling with the stinging betrayal etched in my thoughts.

Who pushed me? This didn’t happen in the original novel plotline, why did it happen this round? Was the consequence of me changing the original path going to kill me off before I even have a chance to redeem the sins made by Elizabeth? The questions spiraled as I grappled with the cold reality that seemed so far removed from my daydreams.