Chapter 186: Zloimond
While the Duke’s estate was in chaos, the Sharp family felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Especially after hearing the news of Priscilla’s death, Garrett muttered, “It must be Prunella coming back to get her revenge.”
But Natasha was unconcerned with revenge. She had already dispatched Kolton and a group of men to Zloimond to find Isolde. Still, Prunella’s death weighed heavily on her heart, triggering a relapse. Thankfully, Sadie was there to support her, though Natasha couldn’t stop muttering, “I wonder how Isolde is doing now.”
Isolde and the others had been captured by Harlan. Luckily, Britney quickly found Hattie, who immediately contacted Vincenzo. Upon hearing the news, Vincenzo grabbed fabric from his shop and, with Hattie, raced to catch up. They spotted Harlan’s carriage just outside the city. Vincenzo quickly tied the cloth to himself and launched onto the carriage roof. Harlan, preoccupied, didn’t notice.
Isolde and Hazel, both trained in combat, awoke almost immediately when Vincenzo found their pressure points. Getting two unconscious people out was easy with three skilled individuals. To avoid being seen, Vincenzo carried each person separately, returning each time with a heavy rock to cover their tracks. Once Isolde and Hazel were safe, he replaced the rock and covered it with a brocade cloth.
Hattie, maintaining a safe distance, avoided being noticed. Vincenzo, having done all the heavy lifting, was exhausted. After dismounting, they found only two horses. Resourceful as ever, Vincenzo rode one back to the city to hire a carriage.
Isolde, initially planning to cause a scene at the Duke’s estate, reconsidered the strange events in Zloimond and decided to investigate. The group took a different route, heading east, unaware of the impending disaster at the Duke’s estate.
They didn’t learn of Harlan’s mishap until reaching Arnsen County. Isolde, suffering from stomach pains, rested there for two days. Traders from Argentum then brought news that Isolde’s carriage had fallen off the road at the Duke’s estate.
Hearing this, Isolde sent Noelle and the nanny back to Argentum while she, with Hattie, Hazel, and Vincenzo, headed to Zloimond. Upon arriving, Isolde went straight to the local authorities to inquire about Doug. She learned he was staying at the posthouse.
When she arrived, Doug had just returned from Beaupids Mount, looking disheveled and weary. Beaupids Mount was once Kamari’s territory, and without an official command from the King to act against Kamari, even Oliver’s actions were done in secret. Doug used Zloimond as a cover for his visit—he couldn’t openly be involved in the rescue efforts at Beaupids Mount.
Isolde’s heart skipped a beat at Doug’s grim appearance. She almost hesitated to approach him.
Doug sighed deeply, his voice heavy with disappointment. “You stubborn girl… What are you doing in Zloimond? This is no place for you.”
Chapter 186: Zloimond
Though no conflict broke out, the tension between them was palpable. Isolde’s presence was undeniably dangerous.
Isolde squinted against the harsh winds, her eyes stinging from the sand. “I heard Beaupids Mount collapsed. What general was trapped under the rubble?”
Doug’s expression changed instantly, his eyes clouding with pain. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Isolde followed him, her mind racing with the unspoken dread in his words. Hattie, Hazel, and Vincenzo were silent, sensing the gravity of the situation.
The posthouse was simple but clean. Outside, a few soldiers stood guard; inside, warm autumn sunlight streamed through the leaves, almost blinding in its intensity.
Isolde felt an odd mix of heat and chill, her limbs numb from the long ride. Her heart pounded. As she climbed the stone steps, her legs felt weak, and she almost stumbled. Vincenzo, quick to react, caught her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine… just hungry,” Isolde replied with a strained smile, trying to lighten the mood. “The horse is hungry too and struggling to keep its feet. It’s no surprise I’m tired.”
But her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Vincenzo, seeing through her facade, remained silent.
Doug glanced at her but said nothing, continuing forward, hands clasped behind his back. Once inside, he led her to a private room and instructed Vincenzo to close the door.
Isolde felt as though she were walking to her own execution. The weight of her thoughts hung heavy in the air; her mind was blank, but every nerve was on edge.
Doug gestured for her to sit, but she remained standing, frozen, eyes fixed on him. Seeing her like this, Doug’s heart twisted with sorrow. His voice was almost a whisper: “You and Oliver didn’t know each other long… I imagine there wasn’t much real affection between you.”
Isolde’s fingers tingled. “Yes, we didn’t know each other long.”
But deep inside, she knew they had a bond—formed through shared life-and-death experiences. They had been through too much to not have some connection, even if it wasn’t the kind of love she had hoped for.
Doug sighed heavily, regret evident in his eyes. “If I had known things would turn out this way, I wouldn’t have suggested you consider Oliver.”
“Beaupids Mount collapsed completely,” Doug continued, his voice thick with emotion. “Oliver was under the rubble, and they haven’t found his body yet.”
Behind them, Hattie and Hazel gasped, covering their mouths in shock.
Isolde felt as though the world had tilted. She could almost hear the battlefield in her mind—the sight of Oliver dying before her eyes. As a soldier, his death would have been noble, honorable, and fitting. But hearing that his body was still missing was more than she could bear.
Her ears rang as she whispered, “They haven’t found his body?”
Doug looked at her with concern, his voice trembling. “Isolde, are you okay?”
Isolde managed a thin smile. “I’m fine.”
But then, as if her mind snapped back into focus, she pushed herself up from the chair. Her hands clenched into fists, her breath coming fast and ragged. “If they haven’t found him, then he’s still alive! He doesn’t know where we are, but he’s waiting for us to come rescue him. Don’t you understand? He could be calling our names right now.”
“Calm down,” Doug said, reaching for her, his voice pained. “It’s been half a month. The chances of him still being alive are slim. We have to hope we can find his body and bring him home.”
Isolde shook her head, pushing him away as she pulled the letter Oliver had given her from her sleeve. Her eyes locked onto it, unblinking and resolute. “He promised me a surprise. He’s not the kind of person to break a promise. He wouldn’t—he couldn’t—lie to me.”
Hattie stepped forward, her voice full of conviction. “Yes, Oliver will survive. He’s strong, and he never gives up. He’ll be okay.”
Hazel nodded firmly. “We’ll go and search for him.”
Doug sighed deeply, looking at the three of them with an almost defeated expression. “If we’re going to search, we’ll have to wait until night. The Kamari people have set up a blockade, and it’s impossible to get through during the day. But tonight, the blockade will be lifted.”