Chapter 262: Oliver’s Greetings
When the butler heard this, he lowered his voice and replied, “Prudence is fine, but she’s in a bad mood.”
“Oh? Why is she in a bad mood?” Isolde asked calmly.
The butler said, “A few days ago, when Prudence found out that you became a widow and were missing, she was really happy for a while, and her health improved. Later, when Clark was reprimanded by the King, her mood improved even more, and she was even able to get out of bed and walk a few steps. However, the good days didn’t last long. When you and Mr. Valois returned with great achievements, you were granted the title of Princess, and the King personally arranged your marriage. Clark also regained the King’s favor. Prudence was so furious that she vomited blood again, and today she’s not doing well.”
Isolde said indifferently, “I’ve disappointed her. I’m really unfilial!”
“What Prudence desires is peculiar. I’m afraid you can only remain unfilial forever,” the butler said.
Nicole and Clark listened to the butler and did not say anything.
Before they could even enter the main hall, Martha hurried out, her face beaming with a smile. “Isolde, you’re back?” She went forward and grabbed Isolde’s arm. Nicole pulled her away. “Alright, don’t hold hands.”
Martha snorted, her expression turning sour. “Why is it okay for you to cling to her, but not me?”
When Martha saw Oliver, she was stunned for a moment before her eyes lit up. “This is Mr. Valois, right? I’m Isolde’s second sister.”
Oliver said indifferently, “Yes.” He could tell who was good and who wasn’t, so he couldn’t even be bothered to feign politeness.
The butler knew that everyone disliked Martha, so he went forward and smiled. “Martha, Mr. Valois has brought many gifts. Could you help with the inventory?” Martha was now very enthusiastic about such matters, as she was constantly trying to find ways to get her hands on some money.
After sending Martha away, Isolde wanted to go to Prudence’s room. Oliver said, “You talk to Clark. I’ll go see Prudence.”
Isolde was stunned. “Really?”
“Yes,” Oliver said in a low voice.
Isolde hesitated for a moment. “Alright, you go then.” Actually, she didn’t really want him to see her vicious side. Prudence’s situation would definitely not be good under her care. However, she did not want to hide anything from him. She was who she was, and she would expose herself openly to him. There was no need to deliberately hide it! She gestured for the butler to bring Oliver there.
The butler hesitated for a moment. He wanted to ask if Prudence’s room needed to be tidied up. On second thought, he felt that Isolde must know what was going on. Since she didn’t care, he wouldn’t ask.
The butler bowed and said, “Mr. Valois, please!”
Oliver nodded. “Thank you!”
The butler was slightly stunned. “You’re too kind, Mr. Valois!” The butler had been working in the Langley family for many years, but he had never received such courtesy from a second-ranking official. No wonder he could advance so quickly. His bearing was different from others.
Nicole watched the two leave and asked Isolde worriedly, “Prudence’s room is dirty and smelly. Is it appropriate for you to let him go there? Aren’t you worried he’ll think less of you?”
Isolde shook her head. “It’s fine. He knows I won’t treat her kindly.”
“I’m just worried…” Nicole waved her hand. “There’s nothing to worry about. Everyone knows what kind of person Prudence is.”
It had been a long time since someone cleaned Prudence’s room. The courtyard was covered with fallen yellow leaves, and stepping on them produced a crunching sound. The leaves blocked the rainwater from evaporating, causing the entire courtyard to emit a foul, rotting stench.
The butler smiled awkwardly. “Please forgive us. The servants have been lazy and haven’t cleaned in time.”
“This is fine. A rotten heart should emit a rotten smell,” Oliver said indifferently.
The sunlight that day was quite pleasant, bright yet carrying a hint of autumn chill. As the wind blew, it scattered a pile of yellow leaves, filling every corner with an atmosphere of decay, decadence, and impending death.
When the door was pushed open, he smelled an indescribable stench—a mixture of feces, urine, medicinal herbs, and blood. The room was dark, with the windows tightly shut. Only when the door was opened did any breeze enter. The poor lighting made everything inside appear blurry. The butler, afraid that the smell would bother Oliver, quickly opened the windows. The cross-breeze from the door and windows helped dissipate the odor somewhat.
Prudence lay on the bed. The servants who served her were sent out; there was no one to serve her. Other than the butler who personally came to feed her medicine every day, Nicole would occasionally visit, but she was often scolded away. Over time, she stopped coming as often. Prudence’s body emitted a foul smell; having been bedridden for so long, she likely had bedsores.
Oliver seemed completely unfazed by the smell. He pulled up a chair and sat by the bed. Prudence opened her eyes and said fiercely, “Who the hell are you?”
Her hair had turned completely white, and the wrinkles on her face had multiplied since Oliver last saw her. Her mouth was sticky with saliva, and when she spoke, strings of spit stretched out, accompanied by a foul smell. Aside from the wrinkles, her face was covered in scars and small red bumps, some of which had turned black, making her look terrifying.
Oliver looked at her expressionlessly. “My name is Oliver Valois. I’m Isolde’s husband.”
Prudence suddenly opened her eyes and stared at him. Her once-swollen eyes now sharpened with hatred and malice. A gurgling sound came from her throat as if she wanted to tear Oliver apart.
Oliver slowly said, “I came to assure you that I, Oliver Valois, will never let Isolde down in this life. I will not allow anyone to bully Isolde. Whether she can bear children, whether she falls ill, or whether she is a ‘bad woman’ in someone’s words, I will never abandon her. In this lifetime, I will never take a concubine. My heart belongs to her alone, and I will never leave her, in life or in death.”
The veins on Prudence’s forehead bulged as she gasped for breath, her breathing sounding like a broken bellows, with a raspy, wheezing tail. Her hands clutched the blackened quilt tightly, her dirty nails scratching against the fabric, producing a grating sound. She lifted her head, her eyes shooting out venomous arrows as she spat out in a hoarse, muddled voice, “Get out! Get out!”
Oliver stood up and cupped his hands. “Prudence, take care. You must live long enough to see Isolde and me have children. When that time comes, I will bring them to visit you, to repay the great kindness you showed my mother-in-law and Isolde… back then.” The words “great kindness” were practically spat out through clenched teeth. He hated this old, vicious woman. Just thinking about the suffering Isolde had endured made him want to strangle her. Prudence had ruined Prunella’s life and almost destroyed Isolde. All because of her jealousy and malice, Isolde, who should have been cherished like a treasure, had suffered immensely in the village. During their time in Zloimond, Vincenzo had told him about Prunella’s schemes. She had tried everything to ruin Isolde. When she couldn’t destroy Isolde’s reputation, she hired assassins. Fortunately, Isolde had survived. If anything had happened to Isolde because of her, he would have skinned her alive.