Chapter 154: A Husband-Killer +8 Pearls

Isolde was in an unusually good mood today. Everything seemed to go her way, even when Priscilla came over to pick a fight. She didn’t stop her; instead, she let her in. Priscilla pointed a finger at her and scolded, “Why did you stop Pablo from saving Braden? If Braden ends up in jail, I swear I’ll tear you apart. Do you believe me?”

Isolde smiled brightly. “Priscilla, you’re really hurting my feelings. Come on, come in and sit down. Noelle, make coffee for Priscilla—it’s so hot outside, she must be thirsty.”

“Stop grinning like that! Isolde, let go of me, you’re hurting my arm—ah, let go!” Priscilla screamed.

Isolde gasped. “Oh, I almost forgot about your injury. It’s not serious, right? Do you want me to call a doctor?” She wore an expression of such sincere concern that it almost seemed like she might actually help Priscilla. This only startled Priscilla more. After all, she had come to pick a fight secretly, without Prudence knowing. If she caused trouble here, she’d get an earful later. Seeing Isolde act this way, she cursed under her breath and stormed off.

Isolde watched Priscilla’s hurried retreat with a sigh. “Priscilla misunderstood me,” she muttered.

Noelle, stifling a laugh, said, “What’s going on with you today? You’re getting along so well with Priscilla, she must be scared out of her wits!”

Isolde took a calm sip of coffee, occasionally brushing her hand against her sleeve pocket, feeling the paper inside. Each touch made her smile faintly.

When Geoffrey came home in the evening, he headed straight to the Pearl Tower. Isolde was in a good mood, and her attitude toward him was unusually warm.

Geoffrey cleared his throat, sat down, and said nonchalantly, “Pablo says he’s going to the Valen family tomorrow to annul the engagement. I think we should go. What do you think?”

Isolde replied with a gentle smile, “It’s up to you.”

The simple phrase, “It’s up to you,” seemed to please Geoffrey.

“Hmm, since it concerns your reputation… Since you’ve said it’s up to me, I’ll go. You don’t need to come; I’ll take the princess with me.” The fact that he planned to take the princess instead of any of the women in his own household clearly showed his deep distrust of Prudence, Priscilla, and Matilda.

Isolde nodded, “Alright.” She naturally couldn’t be involved in such matters. She wouldn’t create trouble by clashing with Margaret and William in front of Pablo.

After the business was settled, Geoffrey seemed at a loss for what to talk about. He hesitated before asking, “Have you had dinner?”

“Are we not going out tonight?”

“These past few nights, Prudence and Priscilla have been dining at Blesertin,” she replied coolly. In other words, if there was no excitement, she wasn’t interested.

“Ah, then… how about we invite Clark over for dinner here?” Geoffrey suggested.

Isolde obediently replied, “Alright, you go ahead. I’ll have someone invite Clark to join me for dinner.”

Geoffrey paused for a moment, then awkwardly said, “Hmm.” With that, he left.

Hattie, watching Geoffrey’s lonely retreating figure, remarked, “Geoffrey wants to eat with you and Clark.”

“I know,” Isolde replied indifferently, “But I don’t feel like eating with him.” She was in a good mood and didn’t want anyone to ruin it.

“Shall we check if Clark has come back?”

“Clark has been coming home around the hour of the Boar these past few nights.”

“Then we’ll wait for him. I’m not hungry. I also want to ask him about his work at the Parliamentary Library.”

Isolde sent Hattie away and pulled out Oliver’s letter once more. After reading it again, she felt unusually lighthearted and, unable to contain herself, said, “I’m going to check on Nicole.”

Nicole had been staying indoors to recover, not having stepped outside for days. Isolde hadn’t visited her yet. She didn’t know if Nicole had come to terms with things. If she could take Esme’s advice, she might change her perspective.

When she arrived at Wyngor Chamber, she found Faith carrying some untouched food as she came out. Seeing Isolde, Faith quickly bowed and greeted her. “Isolde.”

“Not eating?” Isolde asked, noticing that the food hadn’t been touched. Clearly, Nicole was still sulking.

“No, she didn’t eat. She didn’t have lunch either,” Faith said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Isolde took the food from Faith. “I’ll take it in.”

“Isolde, please, don’t force her…” Faith, knowing how sharp Isolde’s words could be, quickly tried to stop her, worried she might upset Nicole. But Isolde had already walked into the room, carrying the food.

Nicole was lying on the bed. She didn’t need to stay in bed anymore, but she refused to get up. Isolde hadn’t seen her in a few days, and when she saw her now, she was taken aback. Nicole looked pale, her face swollen. Her eyes were sunken, and her lips were devoid of color. Despite the summer heat, her skin was pale, and her hair was a tangled mess—nothing like the noble young lady of the Duke’s estate.

“What have you done to yourself?” Isolde placed the food down on the table and frowned.

Nicole, seeing her, sat up slightly. “No matter how I look, no one cares.”

Isolde clicked her tongue. “Come on, eat something.”

“I have no appetite. I can’t eat,” Nicole said weakly, her voice devoid of energy.

“Eat with me. I haven’t had anything yet either,” Isolde said as she ordered Faith, “Bring another set of cutlery.”

Faith, anxiously watching, was relieved when she saw that Isolde was going to sit down and eat with Nicole. She quickly went to fetch the utensils.

Nicole looked at her and said, “You don’t need to be so nice to me. I’ve misunderstood you before.”

“Get up.” Isolde reached out a hand to help her up but didn’t reply. Nicole hesitated for a moment but eventually let Isolde help her to her feet. Nicole was just a soft-hearted person. She had no real temper. She could be selfish, but compared to Martha, she was kinder.

Faith returned with the cutlery, and Isolde served Nicole half a bowl of food. “Eat.”

Nicole really didn’t feel like eating, but to appease Isolde, she ate a few bites. She put down her utensils and looked at Isolde. “Thank you for saving me.”

Isolde grunted in response, continuing to eat without looking up.

“Faith said that Grandmother and Mother had no intention of saving me,” Nicole said, her voice tinged with sadness.

“If you’re seeking death, don’t blame others for not saving you,” Isolde said slowly, finally looking up. “You haven’t even started living again. Be stronger. Honestly, it’s not that bad. There are people in worse situations than you. What’s your life compared to theirs?”

Nicole stared at her blankly, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, so I can’t get married. What does that matter? At least I’m still alive.”

“I’ll ask Esme to find someone for you. What do you want in a man?” Isolde asked casually.

Nicole lowered her head. “I don’t have any demands. Just don’t let him be a man in his fifties or sixties. As long as he treats me well, doesn’t have a harem, and isn’t so poor that I end up begging on the streets.”

Isolde stared at her, surprised. “If those are your only requirements, why are you worried about not getting married?”

Nicole gave a hollow laugh. “I’m cursed, Isolde. Who would want to marry me if it means death? What can I ask for?”

“Stop with the nonsense. Who believes in such a curse? Are you going to believe Michelle’s gossip now? She’s just trying to make trouble,” Isolde said angrily.

Nicole gave another bitter laugh. “You don’t understand, Isolde. I’ve heard those words in Caemons, and I hear them again when I go back to Argentum. If you tell me no one’s saying them, I won’t believe you. Grandmother has been telling me she’ll find me a good match, but the truth is, she can’t find anyone, so she’s just been stringing me along.”