Chapter 1184
Zoey sat beside Courtney on a stone bench in the garden. The courtyard, filled with flowers and shrubs, showed the sparseness of winter growth. The plants appeared withered and desolate in the cold.
“Why did you defend your uncle… I mean, why did you speak up for General Farrell?”
Zoey gently dabbed her daughter’s face with a handkerchief, pressing lightly around the bruise. Thankfully, there was no blood, and it wasn't deep. A deeper wound could have scarred Courtney's face. Yet, the palm print remained clear, tightening Zoey's chest with worry.
She wondered why Courtney had defended Thomas. Zoey had kept household matters hidden from the children, especially the messy ones. She thought she'd been successful, but recent rumors seemed to be affecting them. She questioned how much they knew, or thought they knew.
Courtney lifted her swollen cheek. Her eyes, though clear and pure, held a maturity beyond her years.
“Mom, do you remember what Uncle Thomas gave me when he and Aunt Viola visited after their wedding?”
Zoey thought a moment. “I remember. The maid gave you and Cedric a handful of gold coins and golden locks. They were quite generous.”
Courtney shook her head, her gaze firm. “It was Mrs. Ashford’s book of travels, Chronicles of the Mountains and Rivers. Uncle Thomas told me that in this world, few women leave their birthplace unless they marry out. However, the world beyond is vast.
“Even if we can’t see it, we should know our kingdom’s beauty. We should understand the sky’s expanse. That way, we won’t be narrow-minded or caught in petty troubles. We won’t sacrifice our happiness to please others.”
Zoey paused, surprised. Back then, she’d been superficial, focused on Thomas's gifts to the Prince family and Viola's treatment by the Farrells. She’d only paid attention to those things.
“Since Uncle Thomas came back, he hasn’t caused trouble for us or Aunt Viola. Mom, doesn’t he feel wronged or angry? How can he let those things go so easily? They must have hurt him. He must have been upset.
“That’s why he’s always uninterested in marriage proposals. His wounds haven’t healed. Even though he’s not my uncle anymore, I still care about him. As a daughter of the Prince family, I owe him. So, I couldn’t let Jocelyn speak ill of him.”
Zoey stared, stunned. Courtney had always been reserved, rarely voicing opinions or speaking so much at once. Zoey had raised her according to noble manners, teaching her to control emotions and hide her true feelings. Showing emotions exposed weakness, making one vulnerable.
In the past couple of years, Zoey regretted raising her daughter that way. Concealing emotions was enduring silently, like herself—a form of self-sacrifice. She wished her daughter would find her voice, stand firm, and not be so restrained; that she could live freely, unbound by rules or expectations.
Unexpectedly, Thomas had taught Courtney that lesson long ago. Zoey felt relieved and saddened, thinking Viola had missed a good man.
Courtney continued, “Ms. Young said everyone sees his achievements and admires his charm, but few understand his heart. He can do what others can’t. Mom, Ms. Young must really like him.”
Zoey blinked. “You’ve talked about him with Ms. Young? When?”
“When everyone was talking about Aunt Viola and Mr. Lewis, criticizing Uncle Thomas. Ms. Young sat alone in the hallway, looking lonely. When Ms. Wardell asked her, Ms. Young said she felt sorry for him but couldn’t help. I overheard them,” Courtney said, gripping her mother’s sleeve.
Zoey drew her daughter into her arms, sighing. “I hope… I hope he finds happiness.” Rosalind was good, but Zoey felt it wasn’t her place to intervene. She could only hope for a favorable outcome.