The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story After Rebirth

Chapter 309: Does It Bother You?

Natasha watched the two leave and quickly pulled Isolde aside. “Oh, my poor child, how could I ever bear to scold you? I was just putting on a show for Oliver’s sake, so he’d feel better.”

“Oh, sweetie, you really need to learn how to handle a marriage properly. How can you yell at him like that in front of everyone? This is a Great Marshal’s residence. There are guards and soldiers everywhere. If he gains a reputation for being henpecked, how is he supposed to command the army in the future?”

Isolde muttered, “I didn’t know there were that many people around. I just got caught up in the moment. Besides, what’s wrong with a man fearing his wife? He’s not afraid of me. Instead, he’s just unreasonable. And reason always matters.”

Back when they had gone to the pavilion, no one had been there. They never thought that a group of people would appear out of nowhere suddenly.

Natasha advised, “In a marriage, reason won’t work. In private, no matter how unreasonable you are, you can still have him wrapped around your finger. But in public, you need to show him respect. Look at your grandfather. He’s all-powerful outside, but at home, he does whatever I tell him to do.”

“Grandmother, why does it have to be so complicated?” Isolde was annoyed.

“This isn’t complicated at all!” Natasha glanced outside, making sure Oliver had really left before lowering her voice. “Even though you’re engaged, you haven’t officially married Oliver yet. The marriage isn’t set in stone. For now, just bear with it. Whatever frustration you have, let it out after the wedding.”

Isolde did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Are you afraid no one will marry me?”

The old lady smiled and said, “You? No one will marry you? Who said that? Even if Oliver doesn’t want you, there’s still that brat Anthony, right? He adores you. But Oliver is one of a kind, so of course, we have to cherish him. Once he’s officially yours, then you can show him who’s in charge.”

Suddenly, Isolde felt a little sorry for Oliver. Most of her anger faded.

“Nana, we don’t need to go that far. Even if I throw a fit, Oliver is still going to marry me,” Isolde said confidently.

“That’s not necessarily true.” Natasha was very pleased with the term “Nana.” In prestigious families, “grandmother” was the proper address, but in her own family, they always used “Nana” as a term of endearment for grandmother. Isolde had clearly looked into her family’s traditions, which warmed Natasha’s heart.

Patricia smiled and said, “You should listen to Mdm. Sharp. Ever since your engagement, she’s been worrying that they’ll back out. She keeps muttering about how Oliver is outstanding in every way and handsome, so what on earth did he see in you? Today, you yelled at her precious grandson-in-law, and now she’s just worried you scared him off.”

“That’s not true!” Natasha scolded playfully, hugging Isolde. “Don’t listen to your aunt. You’re the apple of my eye. I only like Oliver because of you. If he weren’t your fiancé, I wouldn’t even look at him.”

Isolde grinned. “Then you should dote on me more. The more you pamper me, the better I’ll treat him.”

“That’s a deal. I’ll spoil you however you like, as long as you stop yelling at him. Now, tell me, what happened today?” Natasha finally asked.

Isolde was too embarrassed to say it. After a long pause, she muttered, “Some woman threw herself at him and he had the nerve to brag about it to me.”

“Which woman?” Natasha’s expression darkened immediately. “Is she blind? Doesn’t she know he’s about to get married?”

Isolde replied, “Oh, she knows. She’s engaged too. She just thinks he’s… good-looking, I guess.”

“Unbelievable! Who is she? Tell me, and I’ll deal with her myself!” Natasha was instantly on high alert. She knew young men were most vulnerable to temptation, and if Oliver made a mistake, it would be hard to fix.

“I’ll handle it myself!” Isolde declared angrily.

Natasha said, “Fine. Make sure you teach her a lesson so she won’t dare try again.”

Isolde suddenly felt that her grandmother was quite aggressive, and she needed to take a page from her book.

After lunch, Isolde went to her room to rest. Oliver came looking for her half-drunk, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Are you still angry that I left you behind?”

“I’m over it.” Isolde frowned at the strong smell of alcohol. “Why did you drink so much? There’s been a lot going on lately already.”

“Mr. Sharp kept pouring. I can’t leave until he’s drunk.” Oliver sat beside her and looked at her. “Are you really not angry anymore?”

“Let me ask you. If Anthony pressed against me like Ashley did to you, trying to seduce me, what would you do?” Isolde asked.

Oliver’s eyes darkened when he heard that. “He dares? I’d cut off his hands and feet.”

“Then I’m not overreacting, am I? From now on, if you get close to other women, I’ll get close to other men. We should keep things fair and equal between us,” Isolde said.

Oliver stared at her lips, watching them move enticingly, but her words irritated him. Without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her.

The taste of alcohol filled her mouth as his lips pressed against hers, moving slowly and deeply. Isolde’s mind went blank for a moment, but her hands wrapped around his neck instinctively.

Their breathing grew heavier, and by the time they parted, both were left gasping. Oliver held onto her and was reluctant to let go. Their faces were still close enough to gaze into each other’s eyes. His eyes were ablaze with excitement, and Isolde could see emotions in him that words couldn’t describe.

A thought suddenly crossed her mind. “How many times have you been to a brothel?”

Oliver’s eyes lowered slightly. “Never… I’ve never been there before.”

“Impossible! Once a man turns sixteen, the elders in his family take him out to see the world. I don’t care about the past, and you’ve seen my previous life,” Isolde said.

“It makes me want to kill him.”

“It bothers you?” Isolde’s gaze darkened.

“Not really. I just… care…” Oliver stumbled over his words. Seeing the change in her expression, he knew he had misspoken. What he felt wasn’t jealousy, and he didn’t know how to put it into words.

Isolde said placidly, “It should bother you.”

“That’s not what I meant!” Oliver was beyond frustrated as he cupped her face. “Don’t overthink this. That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s fine. I won’t be upset.” Isolde’s voice was light.

Oliver shook his head.

She looked at him. “Then tell me the truth. Do you not mind at all that I was once married to William?”

Oliver was silent for a moment before slowly shaking his head and saying, “I just feel that your past life, your present life, and even your next life should all belong to me. If you want the truth, then no.”

“I can’t say there’s no bitterness in my heart. Just knowing that you once loved him makes me miserable, so miserable I want to kill him. But at the same time, I’m happy, because everything from the past has been overturned. In this life, you are mine, and we’ll be married soon.”