[Flashback Continued.]
Lina wasn't fazed. She held her head high and kept her face composed. The Empress hated all of the concubine's children, instead of blaming the Emperor for having that many affairs. This was her way of keeping everyone in line—through a disposable handmaiden.
"I might be in the wrong, but are handmaidens allowed to disrespect royal blood?" Lina innocently asked, tilting her head to show it was a harmless question.
It certainly provoked the Empress who's blank expression faltered. She narrowed her eyes.
"Say, Miah, isn't insolence towards a Princess punishable with death by whipping?" Lina added on, placing a finger on her chin. She pretended to be lost in thought.
The head handmaiden stiffened at the audacious questions. She lowered her eyes and was shaken up by these queries. There were other maidservants present here. Everyone was watching them.
