Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle-Chapter 160: Drag them down!

Back to Dimitri Palace...

Meanwhile, the moment Sorayah was done cooking and serving the Empress Dowager, she made her way immediately to the Harem Hall. She had expected to meet the concubines waiting for her, as they were supposed to gather for the morning schedule. But to her surprise, the hall was completely empty.

"What is going on here?" Sorayah asked sharply, her eyes narrowing as she turned toward one of the eunuchs stationed near the entrance. "Where are the concubines? Do they think I have all the time in the world to myself?"

Silence.

The servants and eunuchs all remained quiet, their heads bowed low in respect, bodies trembling slightly. They had all witnessed how Dimitri had come through for her...how he had stood by her and protected her hence they wouldn’t dare not to show her respect even though she’s human. If not, they wouldn’t have hesitated to mock or ignore her, especially when she acted kind and refrained from using the power she rightfully possessed.

"I asked a question!" Sorayah barked, her voice rising. "Are you all deaf? Did a cat get your tongues?!"

"They... they are at the Empress Luna’s chambers, Your Highness," one of the braver servants finally replied, her voice trembling.

"At the Empress Luna’s chambers?" Sorayah echoed with a raised brow, her voice laced with disbelief. She scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "And what exactly are they doing there?"

"They are... having a chit-chat with Her Highness," the servant replied cautiously, her tone laced with worry. "Instead of coming here this morning, they all went to her with lots of gifts.. boxes of treasures, rare teas, imported delicacies... It seems they are trying to gain favor."

Sorayah’s jaw clenched, her face coloring with fury.

"They’re really bold now, aren’t they?" she muttered, her voice dark and low. Her eyes then flicked to the six guards stationed nearby, each one standing upright with their swords resting at their sides. "You six....come with me. I think it’s time I remind them who truly rules the harem."

Her voice dropped into a low growl as she added, more to herself than anyone else, "I’m already annoyed from waking up earlier than everyone else, slaving away for hours in the kitchen to prepare food for the Empress Dowager... And now this? Good. I needed somewhere to direct my anger. Seems I’ve found the perfect targets."

With her jaw set and her stride firm, Sorayah stormed out of the Harem Hall. The six guards followed closely behind her, joined by a handful of eunuchs and servants who trailed them toward Mellisa’s chamber.

Before Mellisa’s new servants...brought specially from her hometown could even announce Sorayah’s arrival, she pushed open the doors without hesitation, striding into the room.

Inside, the three concubines....Mira, Celine, the blonde-haired one, and Rose, the red-haired one sat regally before Mellisa, sipping tea. A variety of foods were elegantly laid out on the table before them. On the other side of the room stood tall boxes overflowing with gold, fine fabrics, and glimmering jewelry....lavish gifts clearly meant for Mellisa.

"Oh, I didn’t know Her Highness the Imperial Consort was also interested in joining us for morning tea at Her Highness the Empress Luna’s chambers," Rose said first, her voice sweet and smug, a mocking smile playing at her lips. "But I suppose it makes sense. Once the Empress gives birth to the royal heir, you’ll have to hand over the reins of power. It’s only natural you’d want to get on her good side before then."

"And do you no longer remember how to greet your superiors?" Mira added with a light, condescending chuckle. "You’re standing before Her Highness the Empress, and you don’t even kneel? Seems the power of ruling the harem has gone to your head, Imperial Consort."

Their laughter rippled through the room, joined by Celine, who raised her teacup mockingly.

"What do you want, Sorayah?" Mellisa asked at last, her smile as warm as honey but laced with poison. Her fingers lightly rubbed her slightly swollen belly as she looked up."

Sorayah’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Drag them down!" she said coldly.

At once, two of the guards she brought with her stepped forward for each concubine, grabbing Mira, Celine, and Rose without hesitation. The women shrieked in shock as they were yanked from their seats and shoved to the floor.

"How dare you, Sorayah?!" Mira screamed, struggling against the guards’ grip.

A sharp slap landed across her cheek before she could say another word, silencing her immediately.

"You’ve gone mad!" Mellisa snapped, rising from her seat with fury flashing in her eyes. "Just what do you think you’re doing?! Using your power against others right in front of me? How dare you?!"

"I’m restoring order," Sorayah said, turning slowly to face her. Her voice was calm, deadly, and laced with venom. "And I’m helping you save face, Your Highness."

"Helping her save face?! Just who do you think...

Before Mellisa’s maid could even complete her sentence, Sorayah’s palm landed harshly against her cheek, sending her sprawling to the floor with a sharp gasp.

"How dare a lowly maid speak when her masters are talking?" Sorayah hissed, her voice laced with anger. With calculated poise, she pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her palm slowly, as though she had touched something filthy.

A heavy silence followed before a low, amused chuckle broke it.

"You’re getting really bold, aren’t you, Sorayah?" Mellisa voiced out with a smirk playing on her lips. There was a calmness in her tone, but it was dangerous. She turned her sharp gaze toward the six imperial harem guards.

"Let go of them this instant, or you’ll live to regret it."

Sorayah didn’t flinch. Instead, she folded the handkerchief neatly and tucked it away before replying with unbothered calmness.

"If they let go of the concubines, Your Highness," she said slowly, "then it will be a direct show of disrespect toward you their Empress. And that level of insolence would cost them their heads on the spot." She then turned away from Mellisa, walked gracefully toward a carved wooden chair, and sat down with the full authority of a ruler, crossing one leg over the other.

"What exactly are you saying, Sorayah?" Mellisa asked, her eyes narrowing with a scoff.

"You were originally the leader of the harem," Sorayah began, her voice composed but layered with steel. "But you stepped back to focus on the safe delivery of the royal heir growing in your womb. His Majesty entrusted me with that responsibility on your behalf. That means, for the time being, I rule in your stead. That means I wield your power." She gave a pointed pause before adding, "In other words, I am the Empress....at least where the harem is concerned."

Mellisa raised an eyebrow, letting out another scoff of disbelief, but her lips tightened ever so slightly.

"The concubines dared to neglect their duties," Sorayah continued, rising now from her seat, her voice gaining intensity. "They failed to attend the harem assembly, refused to offer their morning greetings, and chose instead to sneak into your chambers with lavish gifts, hoping to curry favor behind my back. That alone is an insult to you, Your Highness."

She took a step forward, eyes burning with righteous fury.

"The Harem Hall is a sacred and compulsory space for all concubines. They are required to show up every morning, not just to pay their respects to the ruling Empress or her proxy, but also to discuss matters regarding the imperial household. They are forbidden from going elsewhere....unless summoned by His Imperial Highness, the Alpha Emperor, or the Empress Dowager herself. If they choose to visit any other chamber first without valid reason... then they have broken the rules. They have committed a crime."

She turned and swept her gaze over the fallen concubines, who now watched her with horror in their eyes.

"So you see," she said with a bitter smile tugging at her lips, "the concubines have committed a grave offense. But don’t worry, Your Highness." She bowed her head mockingly. "I will punish them on your behalf. I will restore law and order to the harem. I’ve been too lenient lately, and it’s clear they’ve mistaken my kindness for weakness. But now... now, I’ll make it very clear that the rules and regulations of the harem are not to be broken."

Mellisa could only scoff again, her words failing her. For once, the Empress Luna was speechless.

"The imperial consort has gone mad!" Rose screamed, trembling as the guards tightened their grip on her arms.

"Oh?" Sorayah turned to her slowly. "Then I’ll show you exactly how mad I’ve become."

Her voice was low and threatening, sending a wave of fresh terror down the spines of Rose, Mira, and Celine. She pointed at Rose with deliberate venom in her eyes.

"Your punishment will be the harshest of all. Mark my words."

With that, she turned toward the group of female servants standing by the far wall... heads still bowed, too afraid to look up.

"You," she said, her voice clear and commanding. "Carry out all these boxes....the gold, the fabrics, the jewels. Every last piece. You’ll take them with me."

The servants exchanged terrified glances but stepped forward immediately, obeying her order with trembling hands.

"What?!" Mellisa’s voice cracked with fury. "How dare you?! You even dare to rob me in my own chambers?!"

"I’m afraid it’s not robbery," Sorayah replied, her voice smooth and authoritative. "All these extravagant gifts... these hidden treasures will be sent to the imperial treasury. His Highness, the Alpha Emperor, has been burdened with the suffering of our werewolf citizens. Yet here the Concubines all had this. That again is another offense."

She tilted her head, eyes glittering.

"Don’t worry, Your Highness," she added with a false sweetness. "I’ll make sure to inform His Majesty of your kindness in exposing the concubines’ betrayal and helping me retrieve these goods. I’m sure he will be most impressed."

With that, she turned her back to them and marched out of Mellisa’s chamber, her robes flowing behind her. The concubines were dragged along by the guards, their screams echoing down the hallway, while the servants obediently carried out every box of treasures behind her.

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