Chapter 406: No Burial Allowed
Isolde had been staying at Montlin's Manor for a few days, intending to wait for Oliver's return before heading back. But Oliver sent word that the gravesite they had chosen was unsuitable—the soil was loose and unstable, so it would take more time to prepare. This time, her father was to be buried in the Langley family's ancestral grave. The land around the tomb had been purchased by her parents years ago. Marley had once told her that when her mother passed, her father had chosen not to bury her in the ancestral grave because he didn't want her to be far from him. He had planned to wait until his own death and then have both of them moved together.
In his letter, Oliver mentioned that Vance had returned and stirred up trouble. As the legitimate heir of the Langley family, Vance claimed that Geoffrey's disrespect toward his mother was a crime, and he refused to allow him to be buried near the ancestral grave. Instead, he had chosen a less prominent plot on the outskirts.
Oliver's letter made it clear—Vance's actions had angered him greatly. He asked Isolde to retrieve the deed to the ancestral lands. The purpose was clear; Oliver was furious and ready to fight back.
Isolde immediately set to work, scouring the contract left behind by her mother until she finally found the deed. She gathered Hattie and Hazel and left for Zrork City that very night, traveling quickly until they arrived the next day.
Upon reaching the church, Isolde was furious. Her parents' coffins weren't even allowed to be brought inside; instead, they were forced to set up a tent outside to hold the bodies. Oliver and Clark had been staying in the tent, keeping vigil for several days, but the Langley family was adamant—they would not allow Geoffrey's burial to take place near the ancestral grave. Many of the younger family members who had been living in Argentum had returned to protest the burial.
Isolde was both enraged and baffled. Zrork City wasn't far from Argentum, and many of Argentum's people had returned as well. Did they not realize that even the King himself had bowed before her father's coffin? How could they dare to block the burial like this?
Oliver explained, “When we first returned, things were negotiable. The elders in the family cared about this matter, but after Vance returned, he stirred up trouble. He accused Geoffrey and you of causing Prudence's death, and he fabricated all sorts of lies. He even claimed you were the one who sent your stepmother Matilda and your siblings to prison, that you used your accomplishments to deceive the King, which led to the King foolishly granting your father the title of First-Rank Duke.”
“Do they really believe such lies?” Isolde snapped, her anger flaring.
Clark spoke up, “They believe it, especially when news of your inheritance as First-Rank Duke spread. They took that as proof that Geoffrey was selfish and didn’t care about the family. They saw his actions as harmful to the greater good of the Langley family, and they won’t allow him to be buried near the tomb.”
“Now I understand,” Isolde said coldly. “So, who’s in charge of the family now?”
“Lawson. When Oliver and I went to see him, his attitude was fine at first, but now… he’s completely shut us out. He and Oliver went to speak with him, and they kicked us out. In the end, I had no choice but to ask you for the deed,” Clark said angrily.
“Didn’t you bring anyone with you?” Isolde asked. “And you let them push you around like this?”
Isolde, composed, was visibly frustrated. Isolde had never seen him so helpless and impatient. He was a proud general, and yet, he couldn’t deal with a group of unruly women? But Isolde, who had grown up as the biggest troublemaker in Belleview Manor, wasn’t afraid of these kinds of women.
Just as she was about to respond, Anthony and a few soldiers stormed back into the camp, furious. They smelled terrible, their clothes and hair soaked, with some… unmentionable things on them.
Anthony, absolutely livid, shouted, “A bunch of filthy peasants – throwing shit at us! I’ve never been humiliated like this before! I’m going to kill someone!”
“My heavens,” Clark exclaimed, his mouth agape. “What kind of people are these? How can they be so barbaric? Go and wash up!”
Anthony shot a glare at Isolde. “I’ll wash up, then we’ll figure out how to deal with these people. I won’t return to Argentum until I get my revenge.”
Without waiting for a response, he and his men went into the tent to clean themselves up.
“Where are you going to wash?” Isolde asked.
“There’s a spot by the mountain stream that’s still open. We’ll go there to clean up,” Anthony replied, not even looking back.
Hattie and Hazel were stunned, and Hattie gritted her teeth, “I can’t hold back anymore! I’m ready to unleash the beast inside me.”
Oliver frowned, turning to Isolde. “Do you have any good ideas?”
Oliver waved his hand dismissively. “This place stinks. Let’s go find somewhere to eat, and plan from there.”
He stepped outside and ordered a few soldiers to stand guard, saying, “Don’t let anyone approach the coffins. If anyone does, make sure they’re kept away.”
Isolde asked, “Why is it so serious?”
“You don’t know? Vance stirred up some of the women in the family to come and throw things at the coffins,” Oliver explained.
Isolde’s face darkened, and she was so furious she didn’t even feel like eating. She wanted to confront them. “I’ll go find them.”
“Wait until tonight,” Oliver said.
“Wait until tonight?” Isolde asked incredulously.
“They’re all busy during the day, but at night they’ll gather in the church,” Oliver replied.
With no other choice, Isolde reluctantly held her anger in. “Fine. Let’s eat first.”
At the restaurant, the owner greeted Oliver and Clark warmly, already familiar with them. “Oh, you’re here? Please, come in and sit.”
“Coming right up!” the owner responded, then turned to his server. “Is everything settled yet?”
“Not yet. They won’t budge an inch,” Clark grumbled angrily.
The owner shook his head. “People here in Zrork City are watching this closely. Everyone’s saying the Langley family is going too far. Geoffrey fought for the country, and now he can’t even be buried in the ancestral grave? It’s infuriating.”
A customer nearby recognized Oliver and Clark, saying, “I think the best way to handle this is to report it to the King. Let the King deal with this.”
Before Oliver or Clark could respond, the owner continued, “I doubt the King will intervene in these family matters. After all, the King didn’t allow the burial in the ancestral grave. He might offer another place, but this situation—well, it won’t be resolved easily.”
“The Langley family must be out of their minds. They’re listening to Vance’s nonsense?” another customer chimed in.
“I heard this all blew up because the King granted Isolde the title of First-Rank Duke. She’s married now, so that glory won’t fall on the Langley family. Of course, they’re causing trouble.”
“In the end, it’s all about the benefits,” someone else added.
“Yeah, maybe Isolde should offer some money or grant a portion of her estate every year, so those grandsons of the Langley family can pay their respects while Geoffrey’s body is laid to rest,” the owner said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Isolde, overhearing the gossip, realized just how big the situation had become in Zrork City.