chapter 5

Katherina kept the head maid in the same position for quite a while. The room was silent except for Millie’s quiet sobs, her body trembling in fear. Time ticked away, and just as the tension reached its peak, a voice came from outside the door.

"Young Lady, are you awake?"

Elsa.

"Come in, Elsa," Katherina said calmly.

The door opened, and Elsa stepped inside—only to freeze in shock.

Millie was on the floor, clutching her stinging cheek, and the head maid stood rigidly, her head bowed, her hands clenched into fists. The air was thick with suppressed rage and fear.

Elsa walked forward hesitantly.

"My lady… what happened here?"

Katherina gave her a faint smile.

"Elsa, why did you come so early? Didn’t you rest properly?"

"I’ve rested enough, my lady," Elsa replied firmly.

Katherina studied her for a moment, then nodded.

Outside the door, faint whispers reached her ears.

More maids had gathered, watching the scene unfold.

Katherina’s golden eyes flicked toward them. Then, with a calm voice, she said,

"Elsa, bring me a stick."

Elsa didn’t hesitate. Without questioning Katherina’s intentions, she turned and left the room.

A few minutes later, she returned with a long, sturdy stick and placed it in Katherina’s hand.

Katherina twirled it lightly, then took a step toward Millie.

"Hand," she ordered.

Millie’s eyes widened.

"P-Please, my lady, I was wrong!" she pleaded.

Katherina’s expression remained cold.

"Hand."

Millie whimpered, trying to hide her hand behind her back.

Elsa stepped forward and grabbed Millie’s wrist, forcefully pulling it out.

And then—CRACK!

The stick struck Millie’s palm.

A sharp cry tore from her throat.

Then another strike. And another.

Millie sobbed uncontrollably, calling out for her aunt between gasps of pain.

But the head maid—her aunt—stood completely still.

She did not move. She did not interfere. She simply kept her face lowered, her shoulders trembling in barely restrained fury and helplessness.

The maids outside murmured amongst themselves.

"Millie called the head maid her aunt, didn’t she?"

"So it’s true, then. That’s why she’s been favoring her all this time."

The whispers grew louder, and the head maid’s hands clenched.

She wanted to silence them. Wanted to scream at them to stop gossiping.

But she couldn’t.

Meanwhile, Millie’s cries weakened. Blood dripped from her hand, and moments later, she slumped onto the floor—unconscious.

Katherina exhaled slowly, then turned toward the head maid.

She lifted the bloodstained stick and used it to tilt the woman’s chin upward.

The head maid flinched but forced herself to meet Katherina’s gaze.

Predatory golden eyes stared back at her.

"Was the punishment fair, head maid?" Katherina asked.

The woman’s lips parted slightly. Then—

"Yes, my lady," she whispered.

"Good. That’s how you used to punish me, after all."

The head maid’s body stiffened.

She could not refute it.

Because it was true.

Katherina lowered the stick.

"Hand."

The head maid’s head shot up in disbelief.

"M-My lady…?"

Katherina’s expression remained unreadable.

"It’s time for your punishment. Give me your hand."

The head maid’s body trembled.

For the first time, her facade of cold arrogance cracked.

Hesitantly, she stretched out her hand.

Katherina gripped the stick tightly.

And then—

CRACK!

The head maid sucked in a sharp breath, but she didn’t make a sound.

Another strike.

And another.

And another.

She refused to cry out, even as her skin broke and blood trickled from her palm.

Katherina watched her expression closely.

Watched her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Katherina lowered the stick and smiled.

"You really are much more thick-skinned than your niece."

The head maid remained silent, her bleeding hands trembling at her sides.

"Now go," Katherina said dismissively. "I’m tired of striking you."

The head maid clenched her jaw, bowed deeply, and turned toward the door.

As she stepped out, the maids outside flinched and scattered, too afraid to meet her gaze.

But she didn’t have the energy to scold them.

She just walked away.

Silent. Humiliated. Defeated.

The door closed behind her.

[Congratulations! You have completed the hidden task: "Teach a Lesson to the Head Maid." Reward: 50 points.]

Katherina’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

"Now I have 85 points."

[You have unlocked the System Shop.]

Excitement bubbled inside her.

"Open the shop," she commanded.

A glowing interface appeared before her, displaying various items.

She scrolled through them, too absorbed to notice that Elsa was still standing nearby.

"My lady…?" Elsa’s worried voice finally pulled her back to reality.

Katherina blinked and turned toward her.

"Is everything all right? You’ve been staring blankly at the air," Elsa said, concern evident in her voice.

Katherina let out a small chuckle.

"I’m fine, Elsa."

Then she paused.

"Actually, bring me books on the history of the empire."

Elsa’s expression shifted to one of surprise but quickly nodded.

"I will bring them right away."

She turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

As soon as she was gone, Katherina leaned back and smirked.

"Now, let’s look at this shop properly."

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