Chapter 6 Authority

LILY'S POV:

"Anya, gather all the women who've shared Prince Elliott's bed after we got married."

Anya slowly dropped my gown on the bed before turning to me with widened eyes. "What's wrong?What happened."

Though she was curious, her little steps towards me were cautious. Afraid and mostly worried about me.

I smiled back at her to ease her worry. "Nothing, Anya."

"But you are gathering Prince Elliott's whores. Does he know about it? Will you do something bad to them? Please don't! What if he hurts you?" She rambled on, without taking a breather.

I stretched out my hand, waiting for her to take it. When she did, I gently dragged her close to me, taking her other hand in mine. "Something must happen to me, as far as I'm married to Prince Elliott. Poisoning, ambush, injury. This surely will happen, but I ought to be careful right?"

"But it doesn't mean you've to create one."

Taking this step was already enough, I don't need someone trying to pull me back. "Please do as I say hmm?" I smiled tightly.

A knock on the door interrupted us. "It's time for your lesson, crown princess."

---

"You seem unfocused, Princess Lily." A stern voice broke my thoughts.

"I'm very sorry, Teach." I managed to put on a believable apologetic expression.

It's true I wasn't focused at all, which was really bad since this is my first day learning the basic etiquette of a Crown Princess.

She kept the heavy book she was holding....I don't know and heaved a sigh. "Do you have somewhere to be?"

I could lie but..... " Yes, teach."

She stared at him, probably figuring if I was lying. "Let's end today's lesson here."

"I'm very sorry....."

" Please go before I have a change of mind."

I never gotten up faster like I did now but when she gave me the stink eyes, I began walking out gracefully, as practiced.

With my slow, elegant movement, I managed to reach the inner court hall but halted in my steps when I saw the number of people lined up.

Over a dozen women stood in line, their arrogant gazes fixed on me. Their shoulders were held high, a deliberate attempt to flaunt their confidence and belittle me. But they'd soon be singing a different tune.

I turned to Anya, my voice calm and collected. "Is this everyone?"

Anya responded "Yes, Crown Princess."

As we spoke, servants began to gather, drawn in by the subtle tension in the air. I welcomed the growing audience, knowing it was time for me to reassert my presence in the inner court.

Anya's voice cut through the air. "You've crossed a line by bedding Prince Elliott, and now you'll face the consequences."

The women seemed unfazed, but one of them stepped forward, her voice dripping with disdain. "Is it our fault the prince can't stand to share a bed with you?" The others erupted into snickers and murmurs of agreement.

My gaze landed on the outspoken woman, and I took in her stunning features. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her piercing green eyes sparkled with defiance. Her porcelain skin seemed almost flawless, and her full lips curved into a smug smile. Pity, really, that her beauty would soon be marred by the punishment she so rightly deserved.

"I'd like to clarify that it's not just about the prince's actions, but also about your own disobedience," I said, my voice firm and authoritative. "As the head of the inner court, second only to the queen, I have the power to enforce the rules and maintain order. And one of those rules is clear: the prince is not permitted to engage in intimate relations with anyone unless he intends to take them as a concubine or if he's acting in his capacity as the king."

I paused, surveying the room with a confident gaze, despite the nervous flutter in my chest. "Given the number of women here who have shared the prince's bed, it's clear he has no interest in making any of you his concubine. And that, ladies, is where the problem lies."

As I revealed this information, I watched with satisfaction as their shoulders sagged and their arrogant gazes gave way to fear and embarrassment.

"As a result, I hereby decree your punishment," I continued, my voice unwavering. "All of you who have slept with Prince Elliott will shave your heads and be sent to the monastery."

The room erupted in protests and gasps, but I stood firm, unmoved by their discontent. This was me asserting my authority as the crown princess, not the timid, vulnerable Lily I once was.

Just as the commotion was dying down, one of the women spoke up, her voice venomous. "You're not the crown princess anymore. The king stripped Prince Elliott of his status."

I pinned her with a withering glare. "And who might you be? A palace insider? You seem to know more about the rules and inner workings of the palace than I do. But let me tell you, I know enough to recognize a home wrecker when I see one. You're nothing but a used property, a whore with no self-respect."

My words were harsh, but I didn't regret them. Not even as the woman's eyes brimmed with tears. It was time they understood how I'd felt all those times I'd been insulted. I was about to continue, but an angry voice cut me off.

"What do you think you're doing?" Prince Elliott demanded, his voice low and menacing. The women exhaled a collective sigh of relief, but I knew it was premature. I turned to face him, bowing my head in a gesture of respect. "Crown Prince...I mean, Prince Elliott."

As I rose, our eyes met, and I saw the flames of fury dancing in his gaze. My words had clearly struck a nerve. "Prince Elliott, this is a matter for the inner court..."

He wouldn't let me finish. "You have no right to take them away. They belong to me."

I smiled, unfazed. "That's precisely why I'm doing this. They've been with you, and it's only fair they devote themselves to something worthwhile, like serving in the temple. And also we all know that if a lady sleeps with the Crown Prince, she belongs to him, but sadly it looks some of them still lay with other men and it has to be stopped."

He was taken aback by my response, clearly not expecting me to stand my ground. For a moment, he was speechless.

"Princess Lily....." he began, but I wasn't interested in hearing him out. I ordered the palace guards to escort the women away. They pleaded and begged, but I remained unmoved.

As I turned to leave, Prince Elliott's voice stopped me. "You know, I'm curious about you." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "I wonder why a crown prince would marry a low-born like you. It's suspicious." His smirk told me he was trying to get under my skin, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of annoyance. But I refused to let him see it.

Instead, I replied, 'I don't see how that's relevant. What matters is that you're married to me. And since we're on the topic, I have a proposition for you."

His gaze remained hostile, his face twisted in contempt. "You think I'll listen to anything you have to say?" he sneered.

I smiled, unfazed by his animosity. "You'll listen because you want to know what I'm offering. I'll let you have your concubines, as you wish. But there's one condition."

"I don't care," he scoffed.

I raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. "I'm the reason your crown prince status was stripped. Aren't you curious about how to get it back?"

His gaze snapped back to mine, curiosity flickering in his eyes."What is your condition?" he asked, his voice cautious.

I leaned forward, my voice taking on a smooth tone. "Sleep with me. Let's consummate our marriage once and for all."

His eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a laugh. "You can't be serious."

When he saw my expression, his smile faltered. "You aren't joking, are you?"

I shrugged, my shoulders barely moving. "Is it a deal?"