Chapter 318: Save Him

Geoffrey waved his hand. “You don’t need to force her into anything. This is already enough. Why push her?”

He didn’t believe for a second that this dinner was Isolde’s idea. After his public apology, she had visited him twice, but then never again. He knew she still resented him. That was fine. He had come to terms with it. As long as she was willing to marry from the Langley estate, that was already more than he could ask for. If not for the wedding, he wouldn’t have even bothered taking the medicine the doctors prescribed.

Esme said, “This time, no one forced her. She said it herself. And she’s bringing Clark and Lady Nicole along. If you’re not feeling up to it, I can go back and let Lady Isolde know.”

She turned to leave.

Geoffrey froze for a moment before calling out, “Esme, wait!”

She stopped and looked at him.

“Are you certain? Isolde truly said she wanted to have dinner with me?” Geoffrey stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly, his eyes pleading.

Esme had not expected this reaction. Though she had forgiven him in her heart, she still harbored a thorn of resentment. She had intentionally kept her distance, only inquiring about his condition through Harlan. But now, seeing him like this, her heart softened. With a sigh, she said, “Yes. She’s getting married soon, and before she leaves, she wants to fulfill the proper father–daughter courtesies. One meal, so that it won’t feel so unfamiliar when she bids you farewell. That’s all. Clark and Lady Nicole will be there too.”

“Good, good, good!” Geoffrey said eagerly, flustered. “She… she likes certain dishes, doesn’t she? I should—Harlan! Harlan should prepare—”

“No need. I’ll have the meal arranged,” Esme interrupted. “Just stay inside, Geoffrey. It’s cold out.”

With that, she turned and left.

Geoffrey let out a small “Oh” and slowly turned back toward the corridor, gripping the railing as he steadied himself. He saw Harlan waiting at the door and told him, “She’s coming later. Get the side hall cleaned up. The air in here is heavy with illness. She won’t be able to eat properly.”

“Understood,” Harlan replied, a small smile of relief on his face.

“Also…” Geoffrey hesitated. “Bring me a bowl of medicine first.”

Harlan chuckled. “Looks like only Lady Isolde can get you to take care of yourself.”

Geoffrey gave an awkward smile. “I just don’t want to be coughing through the whole meal. She won’t be able to eat.”

“As long as you understand that,” Harlan said, then set off to make preparations.

Meanwhile, Nicole, upon hearing about the dinner, approached Isolde. “Since we’re all having dinner…”

Isolde was busy sorting through her jewelry box and didn’t hear her properly. “What did you say?”

Nicole hesitated, thinking Isolde was unwilling. “Nothing… I just thought, she’s still unmarried. If we don’t invite her, she might make a fuss.”

Isolde smiled. “You want her to join us? Go ahead and invite her. It’s no big deal.”

“Really?” Nicole’s face brightened.

“It’s just dinner,” Isolde said lightly.

“Great! I’ll go call her now.” Nicole hurried off.

Isolde watched her leave, a small smile tugging at her lips. No matter what had passed between them, there was an undeniable bond of blood between them. If sisterhood could endure despite past grievances, then what of a father and daughter? She felt a little more at ease, a little less conflicted.

Clark had also taken leave to return home. He would stay at the Langley estate until Isolde’s wedding and her return visit three days later.

“The King is considerate,” Clark told Isolde. “He knows the Langley estate is short on senior family members, so he granted me leave to help with the wedding arrangements.”

“The King is benevolent. Serve him well, and your future will be limitless,” Isolde said with a smile.

Clark shook his head. “It is a minister’s duty to assist his ruler. As for my future, I’ll think about that later.”

Isolde pulled him down to sit beside her. “I’m your younger sister, yet I’m getting married before you. Doesn’t that bother you?”

In noble families, the eldest usually married first. Isolde was skipping over Clark, Nicole, and Martha. Some might take offense.

Clark chuckled. “How could I compare? Your situation is unique. Besides, the King arranged this marriage. You two were already wed once—though it was a ghost marriage. That doesn’t count. It’s only right to handle it quickly. Even Pablo agreed.”

Isolde gave him a sly look. “So, you’ve spoken with Princess Bourbon?”

Clark immediately waved his hands. “No! Not privately. It’s just that when I went to the Valen estate to explain why your wedding was happening first, she happened to be there. She said she didn’t mind… and, um… she called me ‘very proper’ in my manners.”

As he spoke, his face turned red.

Isolde grinned. “Princess Bourbon praised you? That’s good news!”

Clark blushed even more.

Isolde didn’t tease him further. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

As they stood, Clark hesitated. “By the way, you asked me to tell Martha about Deangelo. I did as you said. What exactly is she planning?”

“What else? Just stirring up trouble for her own benefit. Nothing to worry about. Let’s go.” Isolde laughed.

For this dinner, Geoffrey had gone out of his way to prepare. A man who had never touched cosmetics in his life—even on his wedding day, when his aunts had suggested a light powder to brighten his complexion—had refused. But today, to hide his pallor, he had allowed a maid to dust a bit of powder onto his face. The meal itself had been arranged by Esme—simple, homely dishes, including a mushroom broth, light and nourishing, suitable for someone recovering from illness.

Throughout the meal, Geoffrey kept piling food onto Isolde’s plate. His hands trembled, but he continued serving her, his expression gentle yet anxious. Isolde, seeing her plate nearly overflowing, simply lowered her head and ate in silence.

Martha, watching, let out a dry laugh. “Having a father is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Geoffrey dotes on you so much. You’re truly blessed.” Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, as expected.

Isolde lifted her gaze slightly. “Are you missing your father? Want me to send you to reunite with him?”

Vance had been imprisoned for theft and was still under investigation. Whether he could clear his name remained uncertain.

Martha smirked. “Or you could just help get him released. My father didn’t actually commit any crime. He was just taken in for questioning. And, of course, someone might have had their own reasons for making sure he was punished. But surely, enough is enough. He’s suffered enough.”

“What’s the matter? Afraid your father being in prison will tarnish your reputation?” Isolde gave her a knowing look.

Martha set down her chopsticks and turned to Geoffrey. “Uncle, he’s your brother. He knows he was wrong. Please… save him.”

Geoffrey was irritated that she had ruined the atmosphere. This meal was important to him. But he couldn’t lose his temper, so he merely sighed and said, “Fine. I’ll have someone look into it tomorrow. Now, eat.”