Queen Fae and the maids both cut looks at her, anger in their hearts but neither could make a move to punish her . Very few beauties were favored by the king for abilities in the sunlight, but this girl was a G.o.ddess when it came to soothing angry beasts . The leopard in her arms was formidable and answered only to Mally . As long as that beast was at her side, there was little they could do, but speak .

"What will she do? The Empress long lost the love of our Emperor . She only has a daughter and a weakling son to protect her . Her daughter married to a kingdom that is barely at peace with us and her Crown Prince… Don't make me laugh . He will never make it through the trials . When he dies there will be no one to protect that b.a.s.t.a.r.d grand daughter of hers . " Queen Fae spoke clearly, and without restraint . Her eyes met Empress Evelyn and she noticed the fire in her eyes, but not the d.a.m.n as it broke . There was no attempt to mask the meaning of her words .

Evelyn sat still for a moment, realizing how evil these women truly were . All these years she had thought they were simply being mothers, wanting what was best for their children . Now however, she knew the truth . They were out to destroy that which was hers . Jealousy and hatred for a woman neither of them truly knew . Oh but now… there was no reason to pretend . Cold palace or not, consequences be d.a.m.ned .

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"Care to say that again, Second Queen Fae?" Evelyn asked as she rose to her feet . Both Queens rose as well, and faced down Evelyn, expecting her to back down at their glares . However, this time she simply chuckled at them . "Fae?" She asked again, expectantly .

"Don't try pulling your position with…" Fae never finished her words before skin contact was made .

PA!

PA!

PA!

Three times Evelyn's palm met Fae's cheek, first her left, then the right, then left again . Red marks appeared where the ring of the Empress left a imprint on her cheek . Shock appeared on both Queen's faces . They had never dreamed that Dainty Little Eve could do such a thing . Nor did the Emperor for that matter, little did they know that Evelyn was done being a obedient Wife . It was time to protect what was hers, to behave as a Empress, a equal to her husband .

The eyes of the Emperor only saw the last strike, wich sent Fae to the ground . Though, he was unaware that the strike was not hard enough to send the girl sprawling . It has been enough to hurt but her own acting made the moment much more dramatic . Evelyn couldn't help but snear at her, knowing what Fae was playing at . Shock and anger rose in his heart as he rushed to help Queen Fae to her feet .

"What is the meaning of this! Eve I never expected this sort of violent behavior from you!" He roared and the Leopard rose to its feet, fur on end as it watched this unfold . A soft laugh fell from Evelyn's lips . However, before Evelyn could answer Queen Kira stepped forward taking Queen Fae by the hand .

"Your Majesty,this is really much too much . Empress Evelyn has gone too far . You have allowed her out of grace not to mingle with us . She has been given her s.p.a.ce and her garden as Empress . Yet she can not be civil for the one time a day she must tolerate us!" Queen Kira's words were laced with indignation . However, she left out the fact that it had been made apparent to Empress Evelyn that being near them would cause her nothing but greif . A gentle soul like the Empress was no match for the black bellies of the queens .

He turned to her, his eyes searching Evelyn's face . She waited, letting him read her as she knew he wanted . Her words would mean nothing if he couldn't see the sincerity in her soul . How he didn't realize Queen Kira was fooling him, Evelyn had no idea but he would know her soul .

A sliver of hope remained in her heart that he would ask her again . That he would remember her as the woman he once whispered sweet nothings too . She prayed he would give her a chance and not blindly believe this woman who had destroyed their love .