Chapter 153: Oliver's Letter

The King gestured for Pablo to take a seat and ordered coffee. Pablo took a sip, then asked, “Your Majesty, I heard Oliver was sent on official duty. How did it go? Was everything settled?”

The King rested his hands on the table, fingers interlaced, and looked at Pablo with an expression that said, “Had you not come to ask today, I was planning to summon you to the palace tomorrow.” He pulled a report from the stack on his desk and said, “This is a report that Darien Leonard risked his life to deliver. Darien is gravely wounded and won’t survive.”

Pablo’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly stood, took the report from the King’s hands, and opened it. His face paled, his hands trembling as he muttered, “What?”

The King’s voice was heavy. “I’ve already sent Doug. He had people race to bring back Oliver’s belongings, and among them was a letter addressed to the County Princess of Cromwell. Since last night was the celebration banquet, I didn’t tell you earlier—it would only make matters worse!”

Pablo’s heart sank, a painful ache spreading through him. He asked in a hushed tone, “Did they find his body?”

The King’s voice was tight with anger. “Doug’s investigation suggests that Oliver was most likely blown apart in the explosion. They found many severed limbs at the site—no sign of Oliver yet. However, they did recover his sword, completely unharmed. Doug has sent it back.”

“How could this happen?” Pablo’s voice cracked with disbelief. “Did he act recklessly? He’s never been so impulsive…” His heart was torn—how could he explain this to Douglas? Oliver was the Langley family’s only blood heir, and he hadn’t even married yet.

The King’s eyes burned with fury. “According to Darien, their mission was compromised. Oliver had no choice but to act early. Doug is hunting down the traitor now. I swear, I will tear them apart piece by piece.”

Pablo took the letter in his hands. It was addressed to Isolde. The King hadn’t opened it—that was his trust in Pablo.

The King spoke with an edge in his tone. “I know he was betrothed to Cristina. Handle this matter as you see fit. Oliver’s death should not be made public yet.”

Pablo’s voice was heavy with grief. “Baron has already broken the engagement. He annulled it before Oliver left for his mission. I’ll take care of it, Your Majesty. Don’t trouble yourself with it.” Pablo understood how deep the King’s affection for Oliver ran. The King would be devastated by the news.

“Broken the engagement?” The King’s tone turned icy. “So the Langley family has decided Oliver is unworthy?” He paused, recalling that Baron was Pablo’s son-in-law, and bit back the rest of his words.

“I plan to visit Zloimond,” Pablo said quietly.

The King replied, “No need. Grand King Emeritus has already gone.”

The King’s voice grew colder. “Don’t worry about it for now. Wait for news in Argenturn. I can’t move on Kamari yet. He denies everything about the weapons base Oliver destroyed. He’s slippery, leaving no traces. Doug will stay in Zloimond for a while, gathering evidence. Once we have it, I’ll send you and Harrison to destroy his rebel forces.”

Pablo, numbed with grief, left the palace, the letter still clutched in his hands. The sorrow in his heart was indescribable. He had always seen Oliver as a son, raising him with care. The boy was brilliant, excelling in both academics and martial arts. He was cautious and meticulous, and both the King and Queen Mother had praised him endlessly.

“Zander,” Pablo said as he reached his estate gates, calling for his steward.

“Pablo,” Zander answered.

“Take this letter to Isolde,” Pablo hesitated, then decided against opening it himself. He handed it to Zander without a word.

“Yes, sir.” Zander took the letter and quickly left.

Isolde had not expected Pablo to return so quickly with news, much less a letter from Oliver. Oliver wrote me a letter? she thought. But why is Pablo delivering it? If Oliver wanted to send me something, it should be a personal letter, separate from any official correspondence.

“Oliver’s letter?” Hazel teased, grinning. “Looks like Oliver sent you a letter. Come on, open it and see what he wrote!”

Isolde pushed her face away. “Go away, don’t peek.”

“Who’s peeking?” Hazel said, still inching her head closer, clearly wanting to see the letter.

Isolde sighed and turned to enter the room, closing the door behind her.

Hazel laughed from outside. “What’s the harm? Oliver won’t be writing you any love letters, will he?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Oliver and I are completely innocent,” Isolde snapped, though her voice lacked conviction.

“Who said you weren’t?” Hazel laughed as she took Leonis for a walk, her voice fading into the distance.

Isolde chuckled softly and muttered, “No manners, both of them—don’t even know who’s the master.”

She placed the letter on the table. The envelope was addressed to her, with the Duke’s estate seal on it. The seal had been made with red wax, and it was so perfectly done that it made her smile. His handwriting is beautiful, she thought, running a finger over the elegant script, a smile spreading across her face without her even realizing it.

She took a paper cutter and slowly removed the wax seal. It was so tempting to rip it open, but this was a letter from him. She didn’t want to destroy the envelope. Taking a deep breath, she unfolded the letter and began to read, savoring each word.

A smile slowly spread across her face, and by the end, her grin nearly reached her ears.

“Isolde, I’ve been here for some time now. Things are progressing, but I haven’t found a solution yet. I’m thinking about when I’ll return, but it will likely be another month. I’ve taken every precaution, planning everything carefully, fearing there may be unexpected events that will stop me from fulfilling my promise to you when I left. Yesterday, I passed by a shop and saw something that caught my interest, so I bought it for you. I’m not sure if you’ll like such childish things, but I’m excited and anxious. Fortunately, I also have another surprise for you—this one, you’ll definitely like…”

Isolde read the letter over and over, fifty times at least. Each time she read it, she couldn’t help but smile. What childish thing could he be talking about? Of course I’ll like it. And another surprise? She sighed softly as she thought, He’s so indirect. Why couldn’t he just say, “I want to marry you?”

She read it again, her heart fluttering. One more month….

Above her, the sound of something small tapping against the roof tiles, like someone was carefully replacing a tile.

“Hattie! Hazel!” Isolde snapped, her voice sharp.

There was a brief pause, then the quick, light sound of footsteps running across the roof. Someone jumped down from above.

The door creaked open, and Hattie and Hazel entered.

“What’s wrong?” they asked, looking puzzled.

Isolde had already folded the letter and tucked it into her sleeve. She looked at them coldly and asked, “What were you two doing up there?”

“Up there? We were outside, walking the dogs,” Hazel said, grinning. “Don’t believe us? You can ask Leonis.”

Isolde snorted, “With the noise you two made, you think you can fool me?”

Hazel chuckled. “You’re so protective of that letter. What did Oliver write?”

“You didn’t see it?” Isolde asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We couldn’t see it. You were holding it too tightly,” Hazel said, teasing.

“Right, so what did Oliver say?” Hattie asked, equally curious.

Isolde tried to maintain a serious expression, her voice flat, “Just some trivial matters.” But even as she said it, the joy in her eyes was unmistakable.