Imperial Justice: No Mercy

Two years ago Winona Shiers, then the empress, put herself between her son Ethan Charles and the emperor on the throne at the time, and was hurt to the point of nearly dying. She left the capital for Melbury and was treated there. She stayed on through the recovery and studied medicine until she could treat what other physicians could not. Two years later she came back to the palace holding the rank of Grand Empress Dowager, for the ceremony installing Bella Catlin'er as empress to her son. Bella took her for a woman working on the emperor and had her insulted and knocked about through the day. That went on until Ethan reached the ceremony, where the facts were stated in front of everyone there.