Isolde was deeply moved. The battle in Zloimond had been extremely perilous. Before Oliver arrived, they had fought against twenty elite Zloimond warriors, exhausted and on the run. Behind them, three thousand soldiers faced five thousand enemy troops—a clear disadvantage. In that battle, no one cared about their own lives; the slightest hesitation would have meant death. Geoffrey had fought with everything he had to secure victory.

“My lady, he truly knows he was wrong,” Harlan continued, seeing her moved expression. “These days, he’s spoken to me mostly about you. He regrets it so much. He’s so proud, yet he’s repeatedly admitted to me that he was wrong. He deeply regrets how he treated you and how he didn’t take your mother away to live elsewhere. He said the tragedies that befell you and your mother were entirely his fault. He’s so full of remorse, so regretful, that even I can’t bear it…” Harlan choked up as he spoke.

Isolde’s heart was a whirlwind of emotions. She said softly, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll just go in and see him. I won’t mention confessing his crime at all.”

Harlan, thinking he had persuaded her, nodded. “Good, I’ll go in with you.”

Isolde touched her stomach and said somewhat sheepishly, “I haven’t eaten tonight. Could you make me something to eat? I’m hungry.”

“You haven’t eaten? Why not? You’re staying at the Valen residence. Surely they’re not skimping on your meals?” Harlan said, concerned.

Isolde pouted. “It’s not that they’re skimping. I just didn’t feel like eating. Ashley is staying at the residence and has even recognized Margaret as her godmother. She disgusted me, so I didn’t want to go out to eat. I was planning to ask Esme to prepare something later, but I was in a hurry to come here, so I didn’t get to eat.”

Harlan laughed. “How could you be so silly? You’re not eating because someone disgusts you? Who’s suffering then? Alright, go in first and spend some time with him. I’ll make you some noodles. No one is in the kitchen now, so only I can cook for you.”

Isolde chuckled. “That’s perfect. Make a bit more. Maybe… he’ll eat some too.”

“Alright, alright!” Harlan, even happier hearing this, immediately turned to leave.

Isolde watched Harlan’s joyful retreating figure, feeling a twinge of guilt. She slowly climbed the stone steps. Although the villa had been uninhabited for a long time, it was kept very clean; only a few yellow leaves lay on the ground. A row of lanterns hung along the corridor, overlapping in the winding hallway, creating a mesmerizingly beautiful scene. Isolde pushed the door open and entered. The room was lit by two oil lamps, casting a dim light. She lifted the curtain and walked into the inner chamber, where only a small flickering lamp provided light. Her entrance brought a breeze, causing the flame to dance and her shadow to sway on the wall.

Isolde didn’t respond and slowly approached. Geoffrey, seeing that the visitor hadn’t spoken, raised his head slightly and was startled to see Isolde already by his bedside. He stammered, “You… you’re here?” He hurriedly grabbed a pillow, trying to prop himself up, but after several attempts, he failed, looking quite embarrassed. Isolde stepped forward to help him, even reaching out to support him as he sat up.

Geoffrey was visibly nervous, rubbing his hands on the blanket a few times. “You… why are you here?”

“Just to visit,” Isolde said, still standing by the bed, looking at him. His face was pale, and he had lost a lot of weight. His once majestic and handsome features now looked aged and sallow. His lips were colorless, likely due to excessive blood loss. Despite having survived, his constitution was severely damaged. Even the most valiant military officer would need a year or more to recover. He seemed very uncomfortable, occasionally glancing quickly at Isolde before lowering his eyes to his hands—or perhaps the blanket beneath them. Isolde’s appearance had brought him surprise, joy, fear, and awkwardness. Isolde also felt uneasy. They had never faced each other like this before. Their interactions had always been either indifferent, confrontational, or filled with shouting.

So, she quickly said, “I came here to discuss something. The matter of you leaving Argentum without permission to go to Zloimond will eventually come to light. Rather than waiting for someone to expose it, it’s better to confess your crime yourself.”

Geoffrey’s mouth opened slightly. “Oh.” He responded and didn’t know what else to say. Since being injured, he hadn’t actually thought about this issue. He had prepared himself. If he didn’t die on the battlefield, then being punished upon his return would just mean death. He didn’t care anymore.

“Harlan doesn’t agree,” Isolde said.

“Oh,” said Geoffrey again, “then don’t tell him for now.”

Isolde looked at him. “You mean you agree to this?”

Geoffrey slowly raised his head to look at her. “Yes, why wouldn’t I? This is the best way.”

Isolde didn’t bother to guess if there was any hidden meaning in his words. As long as he agreed, that was enough.

“Where’s Harlan?” Geoffrey asked.

“I tricked him into making me something to eat,” Isolde said.

Geoffrey asked, “I’m hungry too. Could you stay and eat with me before you go? We’ve never sat down to have a proper meal together.” He wanted to have a meal with her. He didn’t care if he lived or died tomorrow. He looked at her eagerly, his eyes filled with a pleading expression.

Isolde felt that this meal wouldn’t be pleasant. They had never interacted like this before, and it was better not to. She was reluctant in her heart. However, when she looked into his eyes, the word that came out of her mouth was, “Alright.”

After saying this, she felt annoyed with herself.

However, Geoffrey was very happy. His declining face suddenly became energetic. Isolde walked to the side and sat down, not knowing what to say. Geoffrey, however, became animated and started talking more. “I heard the King has decreed your marriage. When is the wedding?”

“On the third day of the eleventh month,” Isolde replied.

“So soon, so soon!” Geoffrey counted the days, looking even happier. Isolde remained silent.

“You’re getting married from the Sharp’s mansion, right? Don’t worry, your grandfather will definitely hold a grand wedding for you. He loves you so much,” Geoffrey said, his voice filled with envy.

Isolde paused for a moment, then said, “I’ll be marrying from the Langley’s mansion.”

Geoffrey thought he had misheard. He leaned forward slightly, his voice trembling. “You said… you’ll marry from the Langley’s mansion?” She is willing to marry from the Langley’s mansion? Doesn’t she hate this family the most? Geoffrey wondered.

“Yes!” Isolde did not explain much, but she had to tell him about this decision.

“Good, good…” Geoffrey’s lips quivered, and his eyes filled with indescribable emotion. “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful!” However, he could not see it.