The Concubine's Blood Debt - Episode 5

At the consort selection, the top three are announced: Alaya Phillips third, Natalie Warner second, and Chelsea Hood first, shocking a crowd that expected Yasmin. By custom the winner is raised to noble consort and housed in the Spring Court; Chelsea is declared and officials depart. A rejected contestant confronts Natalie, accusing her of sabotage. Natalie admits she paid painters extra to make the rival look hideous so His Majesty would dismiss her. "Let this be a lesson. Stop showing off in front of me," she warns, leaving the humiliation unresolved and rivalry set to flare.