Chapter 379: She Still Thought of Him

Allan froze. “Wait.” He turned to Isolde, his voice low and tense. “This is no time for reckless defiance. Disobeying an imperial decree is a crime punishable by death. Take the decree and perform the rites.”

Isolde met his gaze, her expression unwavering. “Grandfather, I cannot comply. Forgive me. But I take full responsibility for my actions—I will not implicate the Valen family.”

Arthur smirked coldly and looked to Doug. “Doug, you’ve witnessed this with your own eyes. She openly defies the decree.”

Doug’s voice was icy. “Then take her. Enough with the posturing.”

“Doug!” Allan shot him a look, then turned to Pablo. “Pablo, why are you just standing there? You should talk some sense into her!”

Pablo’s voice was calm but firm. “Father, Isolde has her reasons for refusing.”

“And what reasons could possibly justify this level of defiance?” Allan was growing agitated. What could drive her to such extremes, so much so that even Pablo, usually level-headed, was standing by her side?

“Seize her,” Arthur commanded with a flick of his wrist, his tone icy. The imperial guards, who had accompanied the decree, stepped forward. Having witnessed Isolde’s refusal firsthand, they moved to apprehend her.

“You will not take her,” Hattie and Hazel stepped in front of Isolde, blocking the guards.

Isolde’s face hardened. “Stand down.”

“My lady!” The two protested. Isolde could not be thrown into a dungeon.

“Step aside. Or do you no longer obey me?” Her voice was sharp with urgency.

Arthur sneered. “If they refuse, I’ll have them taken as well.”

“Then do it,” Hattie snapped. “Take us all!”

Arthur’s temper flared, and he was about to give the order when a blur of white streaked through the courtyard as a horse galloped in at full speed. The rider yanked the reins hard, the steed skidding to a halt just inches from Arthur, its head nearly knocking him over. Arthur stumbled back in alarm—only to collide directly with Isolde, who was still restrained by the guards. The impact sent him reeling, and the decree slipped from his grasp, fluttering to the ground.

The rider dismounted in one fierce motion, his voice thundering across the courtyard. “You brazen scoundrel! How dare you lay hands on my wife?! How dare you throw the King’s decree to the ground?!”

Before Arthur could react, a fist swung toward him with unrelenting force. Pain exploded through his face as his vision went black, his body crumpling to the ground.

“Imperial officer?! I will personally see to it that the King punishes you!”

“Do it,” Oliver snarled, his expression burning with rage. “And I will report you for laying hands on my wife and disgracing an imperial decree! Let’s go. Let’s take this to the King and see whose crime is greater!”

Before Arthur could react, Oliver seized him by the arm and dragged him forward. “Come on, we’re going— ”

Isolde tensed. If Oliver went to the palace in such a state of fury, he might say something rash and end up facing charges himself. She quickly shot Pablo a look.

Pablo stepped in and stopped them. “Enough, Oliver. You can settle this later.” His voice carried an unmistakable warning.

Oliver, still breathing hard, realized that his anger would do nothing to help Isolde. Taking another swing at Arthur had felt satisfying, but it wouldn’t change anything.

Exhaling sharply, he turned to Arthur. “Fine. But let me speak with her first.”

“Absolutely not!” Arthur snapped, still clutching his aching jaw. “If she repents, there will be no crime to charge her with! Guards, seize her!”

Doug chuckled darkly. “My, Arthur, you wield your authority so boldly today. But the King only sent you to deliver a decree, not to make arrests.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. “She has defied the decree. Why shouldn’t I arrest her?”

“Didn’t you hear Oliver? He wants to persuade her. If she still refuses afterward, then take her.” Doug’s gaze was sharp.

Arthur scoffed. “And give her a chance to escape?”

“Wouldn’t that be convenient for you?” Doug taunted. “Did you think that just because she defied the decree, the King would immediately order her execution? Your plan was too simple. If she flees, then you can demand an even harsher punishment. Go ahead. Let’s see if she runs.”

Arthur clenched his jaw, prepared to argue again, but Allan suddenly stepped forward. “Gentlemen, allow Oliver a moment to speak with her. Surely, a brief conversation will not disrupt the decree’s enforcement.”

Arthur hesitated. The imperial guards exchanged glances before one of them, speaking cautiously, said, “Lord Allan, we are merely here to deliver the decree. If Oliver can persuade Lady Isolde to comply, that would be the best outcome.”

Arthur scowled. “You heard her refuse!”

One of the guards gave him a sidelong glance. “And we heard you treating the Valen family as if they were your enemies. That is most peculiar, considering they are your kin. And Lord Allan is your elder—perhaps you should show more respect.”

Arthur stiffened.

Oliver pulled Isolde into the room and shut the door behind them. He studied her face. “Esme has a plan. We can reveal the truth—that Prudence poisoned Prunella. I can take this directly to the Queen Mother. We have witnesses. The case will hold. Are you willing to expose the—”

Isolde shook her head. “No. Listen to me. The King won’t kill me. The worst that will happen is imprisonment or a beating. I can endure that. But you must not be reckless. Do not plead on my behalf. Do not go to the King for me. Trust me—Queen Mother will find a way to free me.”

Oliver’s jaw tightened. “Once you enter the dungeons, you won’t get out so easily. The King despises those who defy filial duty. And now, you’ve openly resisted him. Isolde, this isn’t a game. Prudence did kill your mother. Why shouldn’t we expose her?”

Isolde saw the desperation in his eyes and felt a pang of sorrow. She softened, her voice gentle. “Last time when I knelt in shame, my father was humiliated before the entire court. Matilda’s affair was laid bare, he was ridiculed. If we expose this, the truth will destroy him.”

Oliver’s breath caught. “You’re still thinking about him?”

“Yes,” Isolde murmured. “He may be a fool, but he’s my father. If the world learns that his wife was murdered by his own mother—and that he spent years unknowingly serving the woman who destroyed his family—he will become nothing more than a tragic joke. Even if he can endure the shame, his men—my grandfather’s loyal soldiers—will never forgive him. Do you think they will let this go?”