Chapter 316: Practicing How to Cry

Hattie reported the latest developments from the Valen family. “Lady Isolde, it’s obvious Martha has ulterior motives. Why don’t you deal with her?”

Isolde replied calmly, “She’s only trying to secure her future. It has nothing to do with us, so why should we stand in her way?”

“But if she marries into the Valen family, she’ll inevitably be your enemy.”

“That’s her skill, Hattie. Everyone has their own path to walk, their own right to fight for their future. If I eliminated every person who might oppose me, or blocked every possible threat before it materialized… wouldn’t that be too cruel? As long as she doesn’t harm anyone and only gambles with her own life, what does it matter to us? Whether she succeeds or fails, she bears that burden alone. Of course, if she does come after me one day… then I’ll deal with her accordingly.”

Hattie thought for a moment before nodding. “You’re right. As long as she doesn’t harm anyone?”

“Exactly,” Isolde nodded.

“But Martha has a vicious heart. She’s harmed Clark before.”

“And even Clark isn’t holding it against her anymore, so neither should we. I only asked you to keep an eye on her for our own protection—to ensure we’re not caught off guard if she does try something.”

Isolde’s philosophy was simple: If others don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke them. Besides, she had no objection to Martha marrying William. If anything, it would disgust Margaret. If it served her purposes, she might even give Martha a push in the right direction.

Just then, outside the room, there was a burst of excited voices. “Helena!” Britney and Noelle’s delighted calls rang out.

Isolde’s eyes brightened. “Helena’s back.”

Indeed, Helena had returned, beaming with joy as she stepped inside to congratulate Isolde. Isolde smiled at her. Since Helena’s marriage, she had looked rosier, healthier—clearly, her husband treated her well.

“What brings you back? Not busy managing the shop?” Isolde teased.

Helena huffed playfully. “What’s more important than your wedding? I came back to help you prepare!”

“You’re no longer my maid, but I’m truly happy you’re here.” Isolde pulled her down to sit beside her, giving her an assessing look. “You’ve put on some weight. Seems like you’re living well.”

A faint blush crept over Helena’s face. “It’s not weight… I’m pregnant.”

“You’re what?” Isolde gasped in delight. “Really? How far along?”

“Just two months.” Helena’s smile was full of warmth.

“Not at all. No nausea, no discomfort—just a great appetite,” Helena said, rubbing her belly, the picture of a blissful expectant mother.

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Isolde marveled. She remembered how wretched she had felt when she had been pregnant in her past life—constant sickness, unbearable discomfort.

Helena laughed. “Listen to you! You talk like someone who’s already been through childbirth! How do you even know what it feels like?”

Isolde chuckled, quickly masking the shadow in her eyes. “It’s common knowledge for all women.”

Noelle teased, “Helena, your husband must be over the moon, right?”

Helena’s blush deepened. “Ever since he found out, he hasn’t let me set foot outside. He feeds me like I’m a pig for slaughter! Natasha’s even worse—she was going to come with me today, but I begged her not to follow me like a watchdog.”

Isolde laughed. “Show-off.”

Seeing Helena so happy filled her heart with genuine joy.

Britney suddenly asked, “Helena, do you crave spicy food or sour food?”

“Sour,” Helena answered curiously. “Why?”

“Then you’re definitely having a boy!” Britney declared confidently.

Helena laughed. “And since when did you become an expert?”

“When my mother was pregnant with my little brother, she only wanted sour things.”

Helena chuckled. “Boy or girl, it doesn’t matter.”

“True, they’re all the same.” Isolde looked at Helena’s still-flat belly. It hadn’t started to show yet, but she had clearly gained a little weight.

A child. That was a thorn in her heart.

Just then, Esme entered the room. Hearing that Helena was pregnant, she grinned. “Such good fortune! It’s a wonderful sign. After our lady marries, she’ll surely conceive quickly as well.”

“Of course! Maybe she’ll even have twins!” Britney giggled.

Isolde rolled her eyes. “Enough of that! I’m not even married yet, and you’re already talking about children. Do you want people to laugh at me?”

“This is when you should be blushing, not scolding us,” Hattie teased.

“Exactly! Where’s the bashful bride?” Hazel chimed in.

Isolde rolled her eyes again.

Britney covered her mouth and laughed. “I think Lady Isolde will have a hard time crying when she leaves for her wedding. She looks too happy—she’ll probably be grinning all the way out the door.”

“That won’t do!” Esme objected. “A bride must cry when she leaves home!”

“If she can’t cry, we’ll smoke her eyes with pepper!” Britney suggested mischievously.

“No need. Just press her pressure point—she’ll wail like a newborn!” Hazel said matter-of-factly.

The lively discussion sent everyone into laughter.

In her past life, she had wept bitterly on her wedding day. But she had not been happy. So why shouldn’t she laugh as she left for marriage this time?

Just then, Nicole entered, hearing the cheerful chatter. She smiled. “What’s all the laughter about?”

“Lady Nicole,” the maids greeted her, curtsying.

Britney quickly spoke up. “We were just discussing how to make Lady Isolde cry on her wedding day!”

Nicole laughed. “Crying is easy. Just pout a little, and the tears will come.”

“It’s not that simple!” Britney argued.

“Oh, but it is. Watch.” Nicole turned to Isolde, locked eyes with her, and…

Within seconds, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Her lips quivered ever so slightly, and just like that, two perfect teardrops slid down her cheeks. Her expression was heartbreakingly sorrowful.

The entire room fell silent in awe.

At that moment, Keith, Collin, and Anthony entered, pausing at the sight of Nicole’s tear-streaked face.

Keith’s brows furrowed. “What’s going on? Why is she crying?”

Caught off guard, Nicole hastily wiped her tears, flustered. “I—I wasn’t crying.”

Britney giggled and explained, “Lady Nicole was demonstrating how to cry for Lady Isolde. Practicing for the wedding day.”

Anthony glanced at Isolde, then grunted, “Practice? What for? Just give her a whack with a stick—she’ll cry for her father and mother both.”

Britney burst into laughter. “Marshal, you and Hazel think exactly alike! She suggested the same thing.”

“Perfect match,” someone quipped, and the room erupted in laughter again.

Anthony shot a look at Hazel and muttered, “It’s the most effective method. If others agree with me, it just proves all of your ideas are useless.”

Hazel smirked. “Agreed.”