Chapter 18 A sharp laugh broke the tense silence between them . Ruth's anger twisted into a cruel smile . " Good . Very good . My son truly has no right to call himself your man . " Frederick felt a chill run down his spine . " Mom , she's not a bad person . She's simply young ... " He had rarely seen his mother smile like that . The last time was when she executed an old maid who had served her for many years . Frederick pressed on , " Mom , Fey means you no disrespect , I assure you ... " . " Frederick , are you really going to concede to her ? " Ruth asked . Freya's face instantly darkened , losing all the confidence she'd just had . She knew Ruth's position , and that defying her would bring no good . But what she wanted was sincerity . This was her test to see if Frederick's feelings for her were real . If he couldn't protect her now , she would have no standing in his household later . She wasn't foolish ; she was simply taking a gamble . Ruth's patience snapped . " Guards ! " she commanded sharply . Two soldiers hurried in . " Take her away and give her thirty lashes . " " Yes , my lady , " they replied , advancing on Freya . " Mom ! " Frederick tried to intervene . Ruth's eyes turned cold and sharp , a cruel edge flashing in her gaze . " Do you want me to punish her , or shall I have her executed ? " Frederick stiffened . Two guards had already seized Freya and pulled her to her feet . She flew into a rage and slapped one of them hard . But with her injured shoulder , she couldn't summon any strength , so the blow landed weakly . The guards dragged her off the bed without effort . " Frederick ! " As she was hauled away , Freya turned and glared at him , disbelief burning in her eyes . " Is this how you protect me ? " " Fey ... " he began . " Greatness requires shaping and discipline . If you want her to remain in this household , you'll keep her in line , " Ruth snapped . Frederick sighed helplessly and lowered his gaze , refusing to look at Freya any longer . Freya never imagined she would be punished like this . Each blow was heavy and sharp , and it hurt deeply ! At first , she gritted her teeth , refusing to make a sound . But after several strikes , she could no longer hold back . Her cries rose from a desperate wail to piercing screams , ending in sobs . " Frederick ... Fred ... ah ! Ahhh ... Fred , save me ! Ah ... " Frederick sat in the bedroom , restless and uneasy . He wanted to rush out , but was held back by his mother's presence and didn't dare move a step . Meanwhile , Ruth remained calm and composed . She accepted the tea Anna offered her and took a quiet sip . Freya's screams 1/2 Chapter 18 +25 BONUS rang out outside , but Ruth paid them no mind . " This is the woman you've brought back ? " She looked at her son , displeasure hidden deep in her eyes . " For a wild girl like her , you'd abandon Lena , the one who has stood by you all these years ? " " Mom , I never intended to abandon Lena , " Frederick said , his voice tense . " It was Lena who made General Campbell petition the king to cancel the engagement . " Freya's cries echoed in his mind , leaving him tense and unsettled . By extension , some of that anger settled unfairly on Selena . " I never expected Lena to be so petty and not be able to tolerate another woman . With an attitude like that , how could she ever hope to be the mother of a kingdom ? " he complained . Ruth thought for a moment , then her anger toward her son softened slightly . " I never imagined her to be so narrow - minded . I always thought she was dignified and gracious . Perhaps I was mistaken . But ... " She glanced at Frederick and changed the topic . " Do you know that the Obsidian Monarch is returning to the capital ? " " Nathaniel ? " Nathaniel ? He's coming back ? " Frederick's expression darkened . " Why have I heard nothing of this ? " " When I delivered tea to His Majesty , I happened to overhear it , " Ruth said , frowning . " Prince Nathaniel was disfigured in battle and forced to flee to the Northern Frontier . Though you were not directly responsible , this matter concerns you more than you realize . " This time , he has quelled the great rebellion at the Northern Frontier and is returning to the capital victorious . And yet , at a time like this , you've gone and fallen out with the Duke of Blackmoor's household . How do you expect to stand against the Obsidian Monarch in the future ? " The memory of that battle flashed in Frederick's mind . When the fourth prince , Nathaniel Lancaster , was lured to the Northern Frontier , Frederick seized the opportunity and captured the state of Ashvale . Since then , Nathaniel had been stationed there to restore order , while Frederick returned to the capital in triumph and was hailed as Aurensia's Warbringer . But the one who had advised Frederick during that battle was Selena . Did Nathaniel know that Selena was his true enemy ? Frederick didn't know the answer to that question .