Chapter 292: Mentioning Children

Esme raised her hand, forming a knuckle with her fingers, and lightly tapped Hattie on the head. “I may be hard of hearing and my eyesight may be failing, but my hands are still strong enough to teach you a lesson, you little rascal.”

Hattie stuck out her tongue, then turned and hugged Esme’s arm. “I was wrong! I apologize! I beg your forgiveness. If hitting me makes you feel better, go ahead and hit me a few more times!”

Esme gave her a light smack and scolded with a smile. “Get out of here, you little brat. Go and serve Mr. Valois some coffee. Are you just going to let him sit here thirsty while he talks to Lady Isolde?”

“Yes, ma’am!” Hattie playfully stood at attention, then left with a laugh.

Oliver watched Hattie leave and said thoughtfully, “It seems they’re much happier following you than they were when they followed me.”

“That’s because you’re too serious,” Isolde said, looking at him. “Why did you come over so suddenly? Aren’t you supposed to be at the Southern Watch today?”

“My master has returned to take charge, so he gave me a few days off. I’ve been helping with the wedding preparations at home,” Oliver said as he sat down.

“Master?” Esme’s face lit up with a smile. “You haven’t even received money for changing your address, and now you’re calling him ‘master’? You’re losing out.”

“It’s not a loss,” Oliver chuckled. “Though he isn’t too keen on agreeing to it.”

Isolde blushed. “That old man. I’ll scold him later.”

Hattie brought coffee, and Esme went to prepare snacks before leaving the room.

“What’s the matter?” Isolde asked, knowing he wouldn’t come over without a reason. Esme had said they should avoid seeing each other before the wedding, as was customary.

Oliver said, “Today, Ashley came to see me and asked me to go to the palace to find out why the King postponed her entry.”

“Ignore her,” Isolde frowned. Ashley would never give up.

“I wasn’t going to, but she somehow knew about the iron box I have. I found this box in the armory in Zloimond. It was hidden very securely, and I thought it might contain important secrets, so I kept it with me. After the battle, the box was blown out with me. But I can’t open the lock, and the box itself is indestructible.”

“Could it be a list of conspirators?” Isolde asked quickly.

“Very likely. Ashley implied that she could open the box for me, but in return, I had to ensure she entered the palace smoothly. At first, I thought about agreeing, but then I noticed she seemed to have other plans, so I turned her down.”

“Did she say anything else about the box?” Isolde asked.

“She said the box could bring me a lifetime of glory and wealth,” Oliver replied.

“I suspect so too. The King recently ordered the Southern Watch to conduct a secret investigation, aiming to root out these traitors. If the box contains a list of conspirators, the King would be very pleased.”

Isolde thought for a moment. “These people, living in peace and prosperity, holding high positions, yet willing to risk rebellion with Kamari, must have received great benefits from him. Those who disrupt the government harm the people. These people are truly despicable.”

“Absolutely despicable. They enjoy the court’s salaries and the people’s admiration, yet they commit treason and harm the nation. They are only after profit, trying to take advantage of the chaos to enrich themselves. They are not truly for the people and are a great danger to the court. This box must be opened.”

Isolde looked at him. “Don’t get angry yet. Let’s analyze this step by step. Assuming the box contains a list of traitors, whoever presents this list to the King will earn great merit. Ashley must be thinking the same. Although her entry into the palace has been delayed, it doesn’t mean she can’t enter. But simply entering the palace isn’t enough for her. She wants to gain the King’s favor and trust. To do that, she needs to accomplish something significant. I think she might be planning to take the box and present it to the King herself.”

“The box is in my possession. She can’t take it,” Oliver said.

“She always finds a way. As long as you have the box, and she knows where it’s hidden, she will find a way to get it.”

“But only she can open the box,” Oliver said.

Isolde smiled. “Exactly. She needs the box, and we need her to open it. So, we’ll let her open it and then give the box to her.”

“Huh?” Oliver was confused.

Isolde smiled mysteriously and whispered a few words in his ear.

Oliver looked at her, his ears turning slightly red. “It feels nice when you’re this close.”

Isolde laughed and scolded, “Did you remember what I said? Or did you just remember how it felt?”

“I remember!” Oliver gazed at her, then sighed softly. “It’s still so long until the wedding.”

“It’s not that long…” She immediately understood what he meant and blushed. “It’s coming soon. Don’t be impatient.”

“I’m not impatient, just saying,” Oliver glanced back cautiously. Though the door was open, no one was passing by outside. He took Isolde’s hand in his. Her small hand felt tiny in his grasp. Her fingers were long but not delicate; holding them gave him a sense of inexplicable comfort.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside, and Oliver immediately let go of her hand, sitting up straight and proper.

Isolde laughed at his cautious demeanor. “We’re about to get married. You don’t have to be so careful about holding my hand.”

Oliver, slightly embarrassed, said, “I just want to leave a good impression on Esme. She’ll be helping us take care of our children in the future.”

Isolde was stunned. “You’re already thinking that far ahead?”

Oliver quickly explained, “Not that far ahead, just something I’ve thought about. I figured after we get married, we might have children. My stepmother definitely won’t help take care of them, so we’ll need someone reliable, right?”

Isolde stared at him, her mind wandering. Children? She had had a child once, but she had never seen her child. Her heart ached suddenly. If only that child had been reborn with her.

Seeing the change in Isolde’s expression, Oliver’s face softened, and he said gently, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up children and make you sad.”

Isolde looked at him, puzzled. “Why would I be sad?”

Oliver replied, “I saw the sadness in your eyes.”

Isolde shook her head, forcing a pale smile. “No, I’m not sad. I’m just frustrated that I haven’t thought as far ahead as you have.”

“Don’t be frustrated. Let’s imagine all the beautiful things together. Even if we don’t make it that far, at least we’ve lived a beautiful life in our hearts.”

Isolde felt there was something more to his words today. He seemed to be hinting at something, but perhaps not. Isolde couldn’t quite grasp whether he knew something or if it was just a coincidence. Children were the most painful part of her heart. He had brought it up, then apologized. Most people wouldn’t think an apology was necessary.