As the group left the inn, Hattie and Hazel, having already gathered the necessary information, engaged in a discussion with two imperial soldiers about martial arts techniques. Both were martial artists, so they easily found common ground and continued their conversation.
The four of them departed the inn and climbed into the carriage. Hattie spoke first, “They are indeed here on official business. Catherine heard that a stone tablet was unearthed at the Vruburn Church just outside Zrork City, with inscriptions related to the Wallace family. So, she sent Riley and some imperial soldiers here to investigate. Now that they have the tablet, the soldiers initially wanted to return early, but Riley insisted on staying to uncover its origins. The soldiers were guarding it outside all this time, but Riley spent most of his time inside, mingling with women under the pretense of investigating the stone. The soldiers didn’t believe him, but Riley has Catherine’s favor, and they didn’t dare offend him. They let him do as he pleased. I also overheard that Vance has been meeting with Riley every day.”
Oliver glanced at Isolde and said, “It’s clear he’s here for more than just this stone. When he spoke about Geoffrey, his eyes didn’t even flicker, so his confidence must be very high. That means he suspects Catherine is really trying to stir trouble for the Langley family.”
Isolde looked at him and smiled. “What’s so funny?” Oliver asked, surprised.
Isolde chuckled, “I’m laughing because I was just thinking the same thing. He’s guessing Catherine’s intentions, but why would he even guess like that? It’s clear someone informed him. He knows about Catherine’s objections to my inheritance. When I mentioned Ashley, his reaction showed he’s feeling guilty, which confirms my suspicion. It was Ashley who misled him, and it was Ashley who encouraged him to ally with Vance. Riley has been away on business for so long, he only knows the surface details about Ashley. He doesn’t realize that Ashley is deeply disliked by both the King and Victoria. Only someone like him would trust Ashley’s words. After all, she’s Finnian’s granddaughter, and the King admires Finnian’s talents. Riley probably thought he was acting on Catherine’s behalf, but he’s too clever to do anything directly. Instead, he let Vance do all the talking, making the Langley family believe the accusations about my father were real.”
Oliver laughed, “That’s exactly what I was thinking. You and I are in sync. But there’s still one thing you haven’t mentioned.”
“What’s that?” Isolde asked, confused.
“How convenient that a stone tablet from Vruburn Church just happened to appear?” Oliver pointed out.
Isolde looked at him and said, “You suspect that Ashley set this up? But the imperial soldiers came with Riley, so he couldn’t have planned it. Besides, this involves too many people to be a fake.”
“If it’s real, then I’ve been too careless staying at Montlins Manor, while they’ve been conspiring all this time,” she admitted.
Oliver said, “Don’t you remember someone else? Arthur, though temporarily suspended, is still well-connected. He’s Geoffrey’s son-in-law and has influence, so it wouldn’t be hard for him to organize something like this. He could have easily come to Zrork City, planted the stone, and then had Riley report to Catherine that the stone with the Wallace family’s connections had been found. Catherine, hearing it was found at the church, would have been intrigued and sent Riley to investigate. That’s how he would have ended up here.”
Isolde nodded thoughtfully, “You’re right. I haven't heard anything from Arthur. He’s proud and wouldn’t just let things go. He must have been trying to find a way to deal with me or, in his desperation, believed Ashley’s lies to get back into the court. I’ve been so comfortable at Montlins Manor these past few days.”
Oliver sighed. “We always seem to have bad luck, don’t we?”
Isolde smiled. “If no one’s jealous of us, we’re just ordinary. We’re simply too extraordinary.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow. “You’re right. You were just a wild girl in a manor, then became the savior of Lord Theodric, became a County Princess, and now you’ve inherited the title of Marquise. The most impressive part is that you married the most promising general in the empire, Oliver. How could that not make people jealous?”
Isolde grinned. “And you, though born into a family of military officials, lost your parents early and lived under someone else’s roof, treated poorly. Even when you achieved military success, no one took you seriously. They thought you were just riding on someone else’s coattails. But then, through a twist of fate, you saved Lord Theodric, earned Princess Aveline’s favor, and, finally, with your accomplishments in Zloimond, became a general. And yet, none of that compares to marrying a woman who has a title, wealth, and land. You’re the real winner in life.”
The two of them laughed together, playfully teasing each other. Oliver said, “Let me see how much you’ve got. Come on, show me.”
Hattie and Hazel rolled their eyes, glancing out the carriage window. The carriage arrived at the church entrance, and the group disembarked. Slowly, a crowd began to gather inside the church, clearly to block them from bringing Geoffrey and Prunella’s coffins inside.
“I’ll go alone this time. You don’t need to come with me,” Isolde said firmly.
“No, they have too many people. You’ll never be able to argue with them on your own,” Oliver insisted.
“I’m going to reason with them. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll handle it another way,” Isolde said.
Seeing her confident demeanor, Oliver agreed, “Alright, we’ll stay outside. But if things get violent, call out, and we’ll rush in.”
“Violence? I’m a person of reason,” Isolde smiled. With a wave of her sleeve, she walked toward the church doors.
Someone stopped her, barking, “You’re not allowed inside.”
Isolde cupped her hands and said, “I’m Isolde. I’d like to know if Lawson is inside?”
The man blocking her gaze shifted, a cold smirk curling his lips. “Ah, you’re the wild girl who just came back from the manor. You don’t seem so wild, though.”
“Yes, yes, I’m not wild at all. I’m actually quite gentle. I was wondering if I could speak with Lawson?” Isolde said, bowing with a smile full of false sweetness.
“Do you really think you can see Lawson? Go back where you came from. You’re not qualified to enter,” the man spoke. Isolde could barely resist the urge to slap him.
Isolde replied humbly, “I know I’m not qualified, but after all, we’re family. I just want to understand what the family wants. My parents’ coffins have been outside for so long without being buried. Isn’t that unreasonable?”
More people began to gather outside, members of the Langley family as well as local townspeople, all eager to see what would happen. The air buzzed with anticipation for the show that was about to unfold.