The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 217: Offending

Johnathan had just returned from North Camp. The army had scattered from the city and would meet at Eastford Landing at noon tomorrow. Isolde, instead of leading the troops, had gone to their destination and would wait for them. Johnathan was satisfied with Isolde’s actions; if they wanted to conceal their movements, they had to be cautious.

Johnathan arrived at his door and saw a person curled up on the stone steps. The person was in shadow and backlit, making it difficult to see clearly. Johnathan instructed a nearby servant, “Get him two pieces of bread, some old clothes, and some money. The beggar looks pitiful!”

Cristina, shocked, suddenly stood up and sobbed, “Marquis!”

Johnathan had just ascended two steps when he heard Cristina’s voice. She emerged from the darkness, her eyes filled with tears and her face bearing the red marks of Arthur’s slap.

“It’s you?” Johnathan exclaimed, surprised. “Why are you here?”

Cristina, dazed, nearly fell. Johnathan caught her. He frowned and asked, “Are you alright? Should I get you a doctor?” His hand, though lightly resting on her arm through the fabric, sent a shock through her.

Cristina moaned and threw herself at him, her body trembling. She whispered, yet firmly, “Marquis. No matter what, I’m only willing to stay by your side. No matter how viciously your wife treats me…”

Johnathan pushed her away, his eyes wide. He gritted his teeth. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Cristina, frightened by his shocked and furious expression, stammered, “I… Don’t you know what I’m thinking? I like you.”

“Shut up, shut up!” Johnathan’s face paled with anger. “You’re Oliver’s concubine, and you say you like me? Go away! Arthur has always been well-mannered. How did he have such a shameless sister?”

Cristina felt as if struck by lightning. Her head buzzed, and her heart sank. A dull roar seemed to linger in her ears.

“Don’t you like me at all?” she asked, pale-faced and disbelieving. “Is it because of your wife? She stopped you, right? She used the Queen Mother to scare you. How am I inferior to her? I’m younger, I’m prettier…”

Johnathan cut her off sharply. “You may be younger, but more beautiful? In my eyes, no one compares to her. Take a good look in the mirror! She’s a thousand times more stunning than you. Even if she weren’t beautiful at all, I only love her. Otherwise, tell me—why haven’t I taken a concubine all these years?”

Cristina shook her head, tears streaming down her face. She looked at the man she had long been infatuated with. “I don’t believe it. She’s so barbaric and vicious. How can you love her?”

“The way she behaves is exactly how I allow her to be,” Johnathan said, his face dark with anger. “If you dare speak another word against her, I will slap you across the face this instant.”

Cristina’s heart broke. She saw his protectiveness toward Rosemary. Tears streamed down her face. Why? How could it be? How can I not be better than Rosemary? she wondered.

“Get lost!” Johnathan scolded, cold and angry. He turned and left. After a moment’s thought, he instructed a guard, “Send her back and inform Arthur. If any bad words about my wife are spread, I won’t spare him.”

He entered the house, leaving Cristina outside. Hearing his heartless words and seeing his resolute back, her heart broke. She never expected this outcome. He never loved me, she thought bitterly. She could not accept it and squatted on the ground, wailing.

The guards showed no mercy. One grabbed her, hoisted her into a carriage, and said coldly, “Get lost. You belong to Oliver now—it’s not proper for you to stay here any longer.”

Cristina was even more distraught. She had failed to win the love of the man she adored, yet she was forced to become the concubine of the man she hated. She could only cry.

Cristina was sent back to her home. The guard relayed Johnathan’s words to Arthur, who was stunned. He was furious, but seeing Cristina’s pitiful state, his anger found no outlet. He muttered bitterly, “Great, now it’s all a joke.”

Cristina threw herself into his arms, crying uncontrollably. “What should I do? He never really liked me. Was I just deluding myself all along? Why is he so heartless? If he didn’t love me, why was he so kind to me? What makes that vicious woman better than me? How could he prefer such a crude and barbaric woman? I’d be better off dead, I really would.”

Arthur was about to comfort her when Agnes arrived. Agnes pulled Cristina away and slapped her. She said sternly, “Remember, keep your mouth shut tonight. Don’t tell anyone, understand?”

Without thinking, Cristina slapped Agnes back. Agnes, prepared for this, grabbed Cristina’s wrist. “Cristina, if you continue to cause trouble, you will kill us.”

Arthur was unhappy seeing Agnes hit Cristina, but he had no time to express his dissatisfaction. Hearing Agnes’s words, he was even more displeased. He said indifferently, “No way! How could she?”

Agnes said seriously, “Dear, do you think Johnathan’s warning was just empty words? Cristina kept speaking ill of Lady Rosemary—who knows who overheard? The guards may still be nearby. Lady Rosemary never lets grudges go. Making her a concubine tonight was just a warning. Mother once pleaded for Cristina, but Lady Rosemary said that this time it’s concubinage—next time, she won’t be so merciful. Can you guess what she’ll do to Cristina then?”

“What?” Cristina was furious. “How dare she?”

Agnes said sternly, “Why wouldn’t she dare? How much do you know about her that you dare to spout nonsense here?”