The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 378: Defying the Imperial Decree

Doug turned, his gaze cold as steel. “You’re the one delivering the decree. I am merely here to witness and supervise.” With that, he strode out of the hall.

“Peyton, Oliver is at North Camp today. Please send word to him immediately,” Doug ordered.

“Understood,” Peyton bowed and quickly departed.

Doug left the palace and sent a messenger ahead to the Valen estate, instructing Isolde to find a place to hide and remain out of sight for the next few days.

When news of Arthur’s accusation reached Isolde, and she learned that an imperial decree was en route, she understood immediately—she could not accept the decree. Refusal would mean open defiance of the King’s command.

She thought for a moment before saying, “There’s no point in hiding. I might avoid it today, but it will only catch up to me later.”

“But if you don’t hide, you’ll have to accept the decree! Are you really going to the grave to bow?” Esme asked anxiously.

“I’d rather die than submit,” Isolde said icily. She hadn’t even attended the funeral—how could she possibly kneel and pay respects to the woman who had murdered her mother? A debt of blood was never forgotten. To bow before her enemy’s grave? Impossible.

“Then you have to hide!” Esme immediately ordered Hattie to pack their things while Hazel prepared the horses.

Before they could act, Ashley arrived with a maid. She stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the commotion. “Isolde, are you planning a trip?”

Esme stepped forward and bowed. “What brings you here, Lady Ashley?”

She glanced behind Ashley, noticing Rowena was absent.

Ashley smiled. “No need to look for Rowena. I angered her yesterday, so she returned to the palace last night. Since I’m free from lessons today, I thought I’d visit Isolde for a chat.”

How convenient.

Esme exchanged a glance with Isolde. This was no coincidence. Ashley always had a knack for appearing when she was least wanted—like a blade in the dark, waiting to strike.

Isolde, however, had already made up her mind not to flee. She met Ashley’s gaze and said, “A guest is a guest. Since you’re here, then stay.”

If this had escalated to the King himself, then there was no avoiding it.

Ashley’s smile widened. “Since you’re not going anywhere, would you mind keeping me company for a chat!”

“Not going anywhere doesn’t mean I want to talk to you. Sit if you like, but don’t expect me to entertain you.” With that, Isolde turned and walked away.

Ashley’s amusement only grew. She settled into a chair in the side hall, idly flipping through a book as though she had all the time in the world.

Esme hurried inside and grasped Isolde’s arm. “Ashley’s sudden arrival isn’t a coincidence.”

“Arthur’s report to the King? I’d wager she had a hand in it,” Isolde muttered. She had spotted Arthur that day, lingering suspiciously. Cristina had been uncharacteristically quiet the past few days. She had assumed Cristina had simply given up, but now she saw the truth—they had been biding their time.

“That woman is a viper,” Esme hissed.

“I never planned on avoiding this,” Isolde said steadily. “The King won’t have me executed. Stripping me of my title! Removing me as a general? So be it. I’ll claw my way back through merit. But I will not kneel.”

“But defying an imperial decree is treason!” Esme cried. She, too, doubted the King would order Isolde’s execution over this, but imprisonment was another matter entirely. If she was thrown into a dungeon, who knew how long it would take for the King to calm down and be persuaded to release her? Prison was no place for anyone, least of all Isolde.

Isolde grasped Esme’s hand firmly. “Don’t be afraid. I can endure any hardship.”

“Esme doesn’t want to see you suffer,” Esme sighed.

“Esme, if something happens to me, make sure the Sharp family doesn’t tell Grandmother. She must never know.” Isolde’s voice caught in her throat. “I would be unfilial… ” She tilted her head up, took a deep breath, and forced her tears away before continuing. “Tell Oliver not to plead for me. No one must intervene—not the Langley family, not Doug. If I am meant to survive, the Queen Mother will find a way to pardon me. I have faith in that. No one should risk themselves for me. Understand?”

“Are you certain?” Esme asked.

“Absolutely. The Queen Mother still has use for me. She won’t let me die. Once the King’s anger passes, she’ll step in. If she went through the trouble of ensuring my survival before, she won’t let me fall now.”

Esme had served the Queen Mother for years, but even she found her difficult to predict. If Isolde was wrong… defying the decree would mean execution.

She hesitated before finally swallowing her words. After all, how could she tell Isolde to bow before her mother’s murderer?

Chapter 378: Defying the Imperial Decree

This was, of course, her doing. She would soon enter the palace, and removing this thorn in her side before she did was the best possible outcome.

“The Imperial Decree has arrived!” Arthur’s voice rang out.

Ashley smiled to herself and quietly stepped aside, standing just out of sight.

Allan had already arrived, bringing Heidi and the household servants with him to Ningser Pavilion, where an altar had been prepared to receive the decree.

When Allan saw that the one delivering the decree was his grandson-in-law, his brow furrowed in surprise. Then he noticed Pablo and Doug standing there as well—both men grim-faced. Even without hearing a word, Allan understood immediately.

Isolde stepped forward slowly, her gaze locking onto Arthur. Arthur wore an expression of neutrality, but the triumph in his eyes was unmistakable. “Isolde, receive the decree.”

Isolde knelt but remained silent.

Arthur sneered and unrolled the imperial edict. “By the decree of His Majesty: Isolde, having neglected her duty of mourning, has acted in disgrace and defied filial piety. This goes against the very foundation of my rule. However, in light of past military contributions, I shall not pursue severe punishment. Instead, she is to kneel before the grave and offer one hundred bows as a warning to others.”

Allan had expected the decree to be far worse—perhaps an arrest or imprisonment. He nearly sighed in relief. A hundred bows? That was nothing.

Seeing Isolde still kneeling, he urged, “Why are you still kneeling? Accept the decree.”

Isolde bowed but did not take the decree. “I cannot accept it. I cannot obey,”

Arthur’s smile turned icy. “Isolde, do you understand that defying an imperial decree is a crime of great disrespect?”

“Then I shall accept my punishment,” Isolde said, rising slowly. Her eyes were like twin blades, sharp and unwavering. “I defy the decree. Do what you must.”

Arthur’s expression twisted in anger. “So, the great Isolde thinks herself above even the King! Soldiers! Seize her!”