The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 279: Say That Again

Ashley was not foolish enough to take this matter to the King. She merely wanted to use it to blackmail Oliver and drive a wedge between him and Isolde. Perhaps she realized Margaret was of little use and wanted to win Oliver over, but couldn’t bring herself to do so openly, resorting to such underhanded tactics instead. Harassing a woman, if it got out, would be more despised and loathed than murder or arson. She believed a righteous man like Oliver would surely yield to her threats. But she was gravely mistaken if she thought she could drive a wedge between Oliver and Isolde.

Isolde was no ordinary woman confined to the inner chambers. She had seen her fair share of deceitful tricks and wouldn’t be bothered by such petty schemes. Thus, after slapping Ashley, Isolde looked at her coldly, unafraid.

Ashley touched her face, her beautiful eyes burning with anger. Twice now, she had suffered at Isolde’s hands, and both times it had been in plain sight. The first time, Isolde had thrown her into the water; the second time, she had slapped her. Both actions were direct and unapologetic, not caring if others witnessed them. Such audacity could only come from someone who relied on her achievements, her maternal family’s influence, or sheer arrogance.

Ashley wasn’t afraid of people playing dirty. She could see through any scheme. But she was at a loss when faced with such direct, reckless actions. She had always believed that any conflict required strategy and cunning, and that no one could outwit her. She never expected Isolde to be the type to throw wild punches instead of engaging in a battle of wits.

“You’re indeed braver than others. Unfortunately, you don’t have good taste!” As she spoke, she glanced at Oliver indifferently. “He looks like a gentleman on the surface, but underneath, he’s filthy and despicable. Only you would trust him so blindly.”

With that, she walked out as if she hadn’t just been humiliated, her back straight and her steps steady, exuding an air of dignity. Her posture and gait were strikingly similar to Margaret’s—her neck elongated, her back straight, her steps neither hurried nor disordered, maintaining a balance of grace and poise.

Oliver, nervous, looked at Isolde, wanting to explain what had just happened. “Just now, I—”

Isolde turned and walked inside without a word, her face tense as if she were angry. Oliver’s heart sank. He knew she must have misunderstood, though she had defended him in front of Ashley. He followed her inside, not saying a word, just watching her with a troubled expression.

Isolde had originally asked him to come back and fetch some clothes, but then remembered that her mother’s dowry box couldn’t be left there, so she came to retrieve it herself. That was why she had witnessed the scene.

“Isolde, don’t you believe me? I would never harass her,” Oliver said anxiously as he watched her pack up the jewelry box and head for the door.

Isolde held the jewelry box in her arms, lowering her eyes as she spoke calmly. “Before, I asked Esme what love is. She told me many things, but I only remember one sentence: ‘If you truly like someone, you’d tear out the mouth of any woman who speaks to him and gouge out the eyes of anyone who so much as deems another woman.’ I slapped her because she touched you. I’m ignoring you now because I’m more upset that she touched you. Even though I know it’s not your fault, I’m still angry right now. Don’t talk to me. You, who’ve been touched by another woman, stay away from me. I’ll be fine once I’ve calmed down.”

With that, Isolde packed up the box and walked out.

Oliver stood frozen in place. But slowly, the corners of his mouth turned up, and he couldn’t help but grin like a fool. She said, “If you really like someone…” Out of all the words she had just hurled at him, that was the only sentence he remembered.

Miniro, his servant, came in and saw Oliver grinning like an idiot. Startled, Miniro asked, “Mr. Valois, what are you laughing about?” Oliver did not like to smile. In fact, in all the time Miniro had served him, he had hardly ever seen Oliver laugh.

Oliver looked at Miniro, patting his shoulder. “Miniro, prepare the horses. I’m going to the Landey residence!” With that, he strode out. Miniro wanted to protest the nickname but, after touching his own face, decided it was futile and ran out to prepare the horses.

Oliver chased after Isolde all the way to the Langley residence, only to find out that she hadn’t gone there but had instead gone to the Sharp residence. So he rode to the Sharp residence. He was an honored guest, and the servants quickly ushered him in. “Isolde is in Prudence’s room,” a servant said, leading him to the room where laughter could be heard.

Oliver walked in to find Isolde leaning against Natasha, who was smiling broadly. Patricia was also there, laughing uncontrollably. He had no idea what had been said to make them so happy. Oliver entered and paid his respects. Both Natasha and Patricia looked at him with teasing eyes, their laughter growing even more unrestrained. Oliver couldn’t help but smile too, his eyes cautiously seeking Isolde’s.

Chapter 279: Say That Again

Isolde shot him a glare. “What are you doing here?”

“To apologize,” Oliver said shamelessly.

“I’m not mad at you. What’s there to apologize for?” Isolde replied.

Natasha lightly tapped Isolde on the head. “Don’t speak to your husband like that. Go, take a walk with him outside.”

Isolde stood up and walked over to him. Oliver’s eyes were fixed on her, gazing at her adoringly. “You’re not angry anymore?”

Patricia laughed. “Go on, Isolde was just teasing you. Would she really be angry with you? The Sharp family doesn’t raise such petty girls!”

“The offense was quite serious. It’s only natural for her to be angry. It has nothing to do with being petty,” Oliver defended Isolde.

Natasha laughed even harder. “Why does he sound like a fool now? Well, a fool is good. Fools don’t know how to bully people. He’ll be a henpecked husband in the future.”

Isolde blushed and pulled him out. As they walked, Oliver said, “I am a henpecked husband.”

Isolde let go of his hand. “I was just teasing you. Did you take it seriously?” Her anger had subsided now, but she had genuinely been upset earlier. It was at that moment that she understood what Esme had said. Because when she saw what had happened, her first impulse had been to whip Ashley’s hands off. And at that moment, a flood of vulgar curses had rushed through her mind—the kind the village women used when they found out their husbands had visited brothels. Though she had held back from saying them aloud, she had cursed Ashley thoroughly in her heart.

Oliver said softly, “You can keep being angry if you want. You look really beautiful when you’re angry.”

Isolde looked up at him. “If I’m angry, I won’t talk to you. Do you really want me to be angry?”

Oliver naturally took her hand. “I was wrong.”

“Forget it!”

“Repeat what you just said.”

“Forget it!”

“Not that. What you said to me before you left the Valen residence earlier. Say it again.”