Chapter 123: Trouble in Zloimond

Doug's gaze sharpened. "Who are you cursing?" he asked.

Isolde slowly withdrew her gaze. "My old man," she replied.

"Mm, he deserves it," Doug said, returning to his book. "Alright, go back."

Isolde jumped up and squeezed beside him. "Wait, why are you always trying to get rid of me lately?"

Doug set down his book and looked at her, smiling as he ruffled her hair. "I'm not trying to get rid of you. It's just... with all the rumors circulating, it's better for you to stay away and avoid the gossip."

Isolde blinked, surprised. "So you're worried about what others will say about us?"

Doug laughed. "Of course, I care. Otherwise, I won't be able to find a wife after all this."

"You still want to find a wife?" Isolde raised an eyebrow.

"Why not?" Doug replied.

Isolde conceded. "Fine, you can."

She stood, her heart aching as she walked away, tears welling in her eyes. A deep sorrow tugged at her chest. Isolde, you really have had the worst luck in life. What right do you have to only seek revenge? You owe so much more to those who care for you.

Doug, fearless and rebellious, never worried about what others thought. Yet, for her name and future, he went to great lengths to avoid the rumors.

Once she left, Doug sighed deeply. The world may be harsh, but he, Doug, could defy the heavens, while she couldn't. He couldn't bear to see her suffer. Women needed a good marriage, a proper match. It was the only way. He didn't want to be shallow, but the world forced him to be. He had too many enemies, too many complications. He couldn't protect her forever. If he could, he'd let her live her life as she wished. But he couldn't.

Today, he was a mighty figure, the high-ranking Nine Thousand Years. Tomorrow, he might be a prisoner, his life in danger.

He picked up his book, only to have someone rush in with a letter. "Mr. Becker, a letter from Zloimond."

"Quickly," Doug said, dropping his book. He read the letter, his face changing dramatically. After a moment, he tucked the letter away, gave quick orders, and headed out. "Prepare the horses. I'm going to the palace."

Doug mounted his horse and rode out with two attendants, heading straight for the palace.

Inside the royal study, the chamberlain presented the letter to the Emperor. The Emperor read it, his face composed. "Keep this quiet. Go to Zloimond and don't announce a death until the body is found."

The Emperor looked at the letter and said solemnly, "Put this matter aside for now. Send people to Zloimond. If you don't see the corpse, don't mourn."

"Understood, Your Majesty," Doug replied before leaving with his orders.

After leaving the palace, Doug went straight to the Duke's estate. Isolde, who had just returned, was surprised to see him. "I've only just returned. How are you here already?"

"I'm heading out on an official trip. It'll be about a month before I return. While I'm gone, if you need anything, go to the Princess and Rosemary. They will help you," Doug instructed.

"Where are you going?" Isolde asked casually, though she didn't pay much attention, knowing Doug had been handling the Emperor's affairs for years.

"Zloimond," Doug replied.

Isolde froze. "Zloimond?"

"Yes. I'm leaving right away. I still need to pack. Stay out of trouble," Doug warned.

"Understood. Safe travels," Isolde said, her heart growing uneasy.

She had just been to Paletein Manor, and Doug hadn't mentioned anything about an official trip, so this must have come up after she left. She recalled seeing someone hurry in when she left, a messenger who had changed horses at the post station.

She remembered from her past life that, in November of the year she married into the Valen family, Zloimond's leader, Kamari Conway, had started a rebellion. It had been large-scale, with an army of over twenty thousand, later swelling to over fifty thousand, heavily armed. Since Zloimond wasn't far from Argentum, it posed a direct threat.

Isolde thought of her previous life. In November of the year she married into the Duke's Mansion, Kamari started a rebellion. It was a huge commotion; their weapons and equipment were very elite. At the time of the rebellion, there were more than 20,000 people, but later on, there were more than 50,000. The task of suppressing the rebellion had fallen to Harrison, who was known for his swift action, though it still took him a year and a half to crush the rebels.

Isolde calculated the timeline. Zloimond's rebellion must have started in November, just three or four months away. If Doug was heading to Zloimond now, could Kamari have started the rebellion early? But if the rebellion had started early, it should have been Harrison leading the charge, not Doug.

Isolde felt confused and anxious. Her current life seemed increasingly different from her previous one. For example, Oliver was not supposed to go to Yue, but he did.

"County Princess, what's wrong?" Esme noticed Isolde still staring after Doug, lost in thought.

"I feel uneasy," Isolde admitted, her worry growing.

"Are you worried about Mr. Becker?" Esme smiled. "He's been out handling matters for years. He's used to it. Don't worry. No one can harm him."

Isolde considered this and realized she had been worrying needlessly.

The next day, Clark arrived at the Pearl Tower. "I have to report to the Parliamentary Library tomorrow, but I haven't told my grandmother or father yet!" Clark said, troubled.

"Can't bring yourself to say it?" Isolde asked.

"It's not that. I just don't know how to bring it up," Clark replied with a small smile.

Isolde encouraged him. "Just tell them. They're not going to eat you alive."

"I want to talk to my father first," Clark said.

"That's a good idea. He's been through it all. He might give you some good advice," Isolde said.

"Well... if even he doesn't support me, I'll be a real target in this house," Clark said, carrying some burden of his own.

"I've always been a target in this house, but I live a happy life," Isolde replied, smiling.

Clark laughed. "You're not a target for me. You're my benefactor."

Isolde smiled back. "Alright, when you get your salary, take me out to a nice meal."

Clark looked at her with tenderness. "I'll give it all to you."

"Why would I want all of it? Keep some for yourself, so you can marry a good wife," Isolde teased. "You should be thinking about that, too."

Clark blushed. "No rush."

"You should be rushing. You're the oldest in the house. Even I almost got married, but I was rejected. If it wasn't for that, I'd be married by now," Isolde said.

Clark, hearing her talk about her rejection, said, "Don't be upset. I've heard what happened. The fault wasn't yours. William was too much. Eleanor was... unfair." He wanted to say William was shameless, but those words felt too harsh.

Isolde smiled. "I'm not upset. William wasn't worthy of me."

Clark looked at her in surprise, then laughed. "If anyone hears you say that, they'll think you're arrogant, saying someone isn't good enough for you."

"I'm not being arrogant. I'm just stating the truth. And it's not about family status. It's character. If a person has good character, even if they're poor, I'd still marry them," Isolde said calmly.