Chapter 1

I was the beloved princess sent into a political marriage to secure peace between two empires.

When my doting royal brother threw a grand celebration for his birthday, I traveled back to my homeland, carrying a secret pregnancy in my womb.

Yet, the newly favored Queen mistook me for a cheap concubine trying to seduce the King.

“Where did this filthy tramp come from? How dare you use such vile tricks to tempt His Majesty?”

“Shameless harlot! Today, I will teach you a lesson on the King’s behalf!”

She ordered her servants to strip me bare in the freezing wind. They wrote ‘WHORE’ across my face and body in thick black ink, tied my hands to a galloping stallion, and dragged me through the cobblestone paths until my skin was torn to shreds.

Even when blood began gushing from between my thighs, she subjected me to horrifying torture.

Then, she dragged my mangled body before the King to brag about her loyalty:

“Your Majesty, I have severely punished this whore who carries another man’s bastard. Please banish her to the military barracks as a camp follower to enforce palace discipline!”

1

After returning to my homeland and having a warm, joyful talk with my brother, I took my maid, Elise, to stroll through the royal gardens.

As I admired the blooming winter roses, a sudden commotion erupted behind me.

Before I could turn around, someone grabbed my hair from behind and yanked with brutal force. It felt as though my entire scalp was being ripped off.

Elise was caught off guard, unable to believe anyone would dare lay a hand on the royal princess in broad daylight.

I crashed to the icy ground, my vision going black.

“Is this the blind bitch who offended Her Majesty?”

“Your Majesty, you saw this little tramp sneaking out of the King’s private chambers with your own eyes! She was just thrown out, so she must have used dirty tricks to seduce him!”

“Everyone knows how deeply the King loves you. How dare she try to get between you two!”

The venomous voices of the court ladies rose around me. I struggled to push myself up, dazed and dizzy, while Elise rushed to support me.

“How dare you lay a hand on my lady! If you want to hunt down home-wreckers, why attack my mistress?”

Standing at the center of the crowd was a woman draped in opulent silks and glistening jewels. Her haughty posture reeked of vanity.

Hearing Elise’s shout, a head matron beside the woman stepped forward with a sneer.

“If not your mistress, then who else? Stop playing innocent! You filthy slut, kneel before Queen Penelope this instant!”

Queen Penelope Chandler. I searched my memories for that name.

Ah. She was the new Queen my brother had married after the late Queen passed away.

Their marriage had taken place after I left for the Western Realm, which explained why Penelope had never seen my face. She truly thought I was some ambitious concubine trying to climb into my brother’s bed.

Realizing this was a deadly misunderstanding, I frowned and opened my mouth to explain.

Penelope gave me no chance to speak. With a subtle flick of her wrist, the matron stepped up and delivered a stinging slap across my face.

Other maids tackled Elise to the side, pinning her down so she couldn't break free.

The matron slapped me repeatedly until blood dripped from the corner of my mouth.

As I lay trembling on the frozen ground, Penelope strolled over and planted her embroidered heel directly onto my fingers, grinding them into the dirt.

Ignoring my muffled screams of agony, she looked down at me like a victorious predator.

“Where did this filthy tramp come from? How dare you use such vile tricks to tempt His Majesty?”

“Shameless harlot! Today, I will teach you a lesson on the King’s behalf!”