Chapter 371: Prudence Is Dead

Ashley spoke calmly, “Release her. Whatever happens, I’ll answer to Margaret.” Seeing that she was willing to take responsibility, the guards loosened the bindings.

Cristina shot Ashley a glance and said, “Thank you.” Then, without hesitation, she turned and made a run for the gates.

Ashley’s voice remained indifferent. “If I were you, I wouldn’t step outside.”

Cristina froze, turning back to her. “What do you mean?”

“If you leave now and go to Arthur, do you really think he’ll come to your rescue?”

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“He won’t,” Ashley said with a slow shake of her head.

Cristina scoffed. “You may have helped me, but you’re wrong about Arthur. You don’t understand him—he adores me. He’d never let me suffer any grievance.”

Ashley gave a small, knowing smile. “He dotes on you, yes. But he does not have the power to go against the Valen family.”

“Believe what you want. Go ahead and run to him. But if you do, you won’t just bring trouble upon Arthur—you’ll also get yourself kicked out. And isn’t staying in the Valen family exactly what you wanted?”

Cristina’s expression darkened. “Speak clearly.”

“I already have. If you still don’t understand, then you truly have no sense. Keep making a scene, and you’ll gain nothing but hatred from everyone around you. In the end, you’ll find yourself abandoned, with nowhere to turn.”

With that, Ashley turned and walked away. Cristina refused to believe her words and was about to push forward when Mell and Evie rushed over and grabbed her arms.

“Don’t be rash,” Mell pleaded. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to Lord Pablo and tell him everything. If you offend Margaret any further, you truly won’t have a place in this household.”

“You can leave?” Cristina asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Margaret only forbade you from leaving, not the servants,” Mell replied.

Cristina hesitated for a moment before finally gritting her teeth. “Fine. I’ll endure for now. But tomorrow, go and inform my brother.”

Mell sighed in relief. “Alright, let’s go back inside.”

Chapter 371: Prudence Is Dead

“This is only the beginning,” Isolde said with a serene smile as she embroidered a silk egg. “If Cristina keeps stirring trouble, she’ll only suffer a more miserable fate. But then again, not making a fuss just wouldn’t be like her.”

Margaret’s methods were subtle, ruthless, and utterly merciless; Cristina was no match for her. There would be much more suffering ahead.

Hattie grinned. “I’m going to watch the spectacle.”

Half an hour later, she returned, shaking her head in amazement. “Margaret is truly heartless. I heard that over at Sunset Chamber, they’re only serving plain vegetables—no meat. And they aren’t providing any coal for heating. In this freezing weather, that’s practically a death sentence.”

Noelle frowned. “Cristina must be furious.”

“Of course she is. She’s been crying in her room for hours. Even Eleanor’s maid was lurking outside, listening to the drama unfold,” Hattie replied with a smirk.

Isolde chuckled. “Well, well… it’s getting interesting, isn’t it?”

Just then, Esme entered, leading Ryker from the Langley family. Isolde glanced at him and already had a guess as to why he was here. “When?”

“An hour ago. Esme was delivering food and found no pulse.”

“Wasn’t Vance supposed to be attending her? Where was he?”

“No one was by her side. Apparently, after Vance left, he went to the accounts office and withdrew some money, claiming it was for medicine. But he never returned all night.”

A life ended with no one to send her off—not surprising, considering how cruel she had been in life.

Isolde exhaled slowly. “Understood.”

Ryker hesitated. “So… will you return for the funeral?”

“No.”

Ryker blinked in surprise. “But… His Majesty rules by virtue of filial piety. If you don’t return, I fear—”

“I will not wear mourning clothes. I will not observe mourning rites. I will not attend her funeral,” Isolde declared, her voice cold and unwavering.

Esme turned to Ryker. “You should return.”

Ryker hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Understood.” With that, he bowed and took his leave.

Once he was gone, Esme sat beside Isolde, taking her hand gently. “I know this is hard for you. To mourn the woman who killed your mother—it’s impossible. But you should prepare yourself for the consequences.”

“I know.” Isolde’s voice was steady.

Chapter 371: Prudence Is Dead

Among kin, one might miss a wedding, but a funeral was something no one could afford to ignore.

Allan immediately ordered preparations to attend the funeral, ensuring that the household was ready to pay their respects as soon as the rites were scheduled.

Once the arrangements were made, he turned to a servant. “Go ask the Young Madam when she plans to return. If she needs anything from the Valen family, tell her she only has to send word.”

The servant bowed and left but returned shortly after. “Master Allan, Lady Isolde is not returning.”

Allan froze. “She hasn’t left yet? The day isn’t too late—why is she delaying? Is Oliver still not back?”

“Master Oliver has yet to return. Perhaps she is waiting for him.”

Allan nodded. “That makes sense. She should travel with Oliver.”

That evening, when Pablo returned home, he heard of the Langley family’s loss. Knowing the deeds Prudence had committed in her lifetime, he merely gave a faint nod and remarked, “Everyone dies eventually. She lived long enough.”

“Long?” Allan frowned. “She was only in her sixties.”

“Anyone who has done the things she did and still made it to sixty should consider themselves fortunate,” Pablo replied meaningfully.

Allan, unaware of the full extent of her crimes, didn’t press the matter further.

Ningser Pavilion

Oliver returned at the hour of the Boar (around 9-11 PM). Before even stepping through the door, he had already learned of the Langley family’s loss—he had just come from Paletein Manor, where their messengers had arrived.

He entered, shrugged off his coat, and sat beside Isolde. “She’s gone. Will you return?”

Isolde shook her head. “No.”

“Then we won’t go.” Oliver took her hand in his, his voice gentle. “Now that she’s dead, perhaps Prunella’s soul can finally rest.”

But Isolde felt no satisfaction. “Even if she died a hundred times, it wouldn’t bring my mother back.”

“Let the past stay in the past,” Oliver murmured, pulling her into his embrace. The weight of her suffering ached within him.

She rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Slowly, her own heart began to still.

“Yes. It’s time to let it go.”

Just then, Esme entered. “Oliver, you’re back? Come with me—I need your help with something.”

Chapter 371: Prudence Is Dead

“No trouble at all. Let’s go.” Oliver knew she was making up an excuse to talk in private.

Isolde knew as well—most likely, it was about the funeral. She let them leave without question.

In Esme’s chambers, a small brazier glowed, filling the air with warmth. A pot of coffee simmered on top. She poured a cup and set it before Oliver before taking a seat across from him.

“Oliver, Isolde has many admirers—but just as many enemies. The bigger the tree, the stronger the wind. She is both a County Princess and a general. Every move she makes is scrutinized. Prudence is the noblest lady of the Duke’s estate. Back then, it’s the King who arranged her marriage into the Langley family. If Isolde refuses to attend the funeral, it will cause an uproar. If this reaches His Majesty, she could face real trouble. And before that, Allan himself might not let it slide.”

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