The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story After Rebirth

Chapter 425: Natasha Is Near the End

Geoffrey’s death was meant to be kept from Natasha. According to Isolde’s plan, it could have been easily concealed, especially since the chosen burial site was far from their residence, and Natasha was unable to walk that distance. However, because Montlin Manor’s workers were tasked with constructing the grave, Natasha, in a rare moment of good spirits with the snow having just stopped, decided to go for a walk with Garrett.

She wasn’t able to walk much anymore; after a few steps, she had to be assisted. To do so, they needed to take the main road, and that’s when they crossed paths with the workers returning from lunch. Feeling cheerful, Natasha asked one of the young men, “Is there still work to be done up the mountain?”

Garrett, assuming Isolde had already given orders, didn’t stop her. The boy, caught off guard, blurted out, “We’re building a grave.”

Natasha froze. “A grave?”

Garrett quickly interjected, “What grave? We’re just clearing land—next spring we’ll be planting jujube trees, remember? This boy can’t speak properly; he needs to get back to lunch.”

The young man snapped back to his senses, his face flushing with embarrassment. “Right, right, we’re clearing land.”

Natasha smiled. “Ah, I see. Go back now, hurry and eat.”

The boy quickly departed. Natasha took a few slow steps, leaning against a jujube tree. Looking at Garrett with sadness in her eyes, she said, “It’s about time, isn’t it? I’d like to be buried here at Montlin Manor. It’s a place I love so much.”

Garrett frowned, his concern deepening. “What nonsense are you talking? No one is building a grave for you.”

“Why are you avoiding the topic?” Natasha gently grasped his hand, her voice soft. “When we were young, we said we’d be together until we grew old. I’ve been blessed—though it hasn’t been perfect, we walked together from youth to old age. Now, as my time approaches, the only thing I truly wish for is to be by your side when I pass. If someone could lay me to rest, I would die content.”

Garrett sighed deeply, looking at her with a look of resignation. “I’ve always been content, too. But why do the ties of life have to be so short?”

“Indeed,” Natasha said, her voice tinged with sadness. “I know my end is near. These past days in the mountains, I’ve felt happiness again, almost forgetting how soon I would be gone. If I hadn’t encountered the workers preparing the grave, I might have forgotten. Now, looking back on my life, it feels like it’s over so soon. I’m reluctant to go.”

“Don’t think like that. No one is building a grave for you,” Garrett said, his voice tight with emotion. He helped her sit down, urging, “It’s cold, let’s go back.”

“I want to see where I’ll be buried. Please, take me there,” Natasha insisted.

“After death, one won’t know where they are buried, but as long as I’m alive, I can see. Let me see it just once,” Natasha persisted, her tone firm.

Garrett could no longer avoid the truth. With a reluctant sigh, he said, “Alright, I’ll take you there, but you must promise not to be upset.”

“Really? It’s not mine? Then whose grave is it?” Natasha asked, her face a mix of confusion and hope.

Garrett lowered himself to her level, his voice soft, as he spoke with quiet sorrow, “It’s your son-in-law’s grave. He passed away. Snowball said he wanted to be buried with Prunella here at Montlin Manor. The workers were preparing his grave.”

Natasha’s grip tightened on his hand, her eyes darkening with shock. “Don’t speak such nonsense. I know you despise him, but you can’t curse him like that. He’s Isolde’s father, he’s family.”

Garrett’s grip tightened as well. “When Prudence died, Isolde didn’t follow the mourning rites, and she was reported to the King. Isolde’s stubbornness led to her disobeying the King’s orders, and she was thrown into prison. Your son-in-law, fearing for her, used his own life to expose the true extent of the old woman’s schemes to harm Prunella and try to kill Isolde. That’s how Isolde was freed.”

Tears silently slid down Natasha’s face as she stared at Garrett in disbelief. “You… you’re telling the truth?”

“It’s true. I didn’t want to burden you with this, but now I see it’s better you know.”

“When did this happen? Was it after Isolde came last time?”

“Yes.”

Natasha let out a sob, her heart breaking. “I knew something was wrong with her. Her eyes were swollen, she’d been silent, even when she was with me. There was no joy like before. She’s been suffering so much.”

“She suffers, but her husband did all this for her,” Garrett said with a sad sigh.

“What should I do? What can I tell her? Her father is gone, and… and I don’t have much time left. Why does her life have to be so hard?” Natasha’s voice cracked as she thought of how short their time together had been. The sixteen years of absence, the brief months they’d spent together, only to be torn apart by death.

The pain in her heart was sharp and relentless, and a surge of blood rose in her throat, forcing her to cough up blood. She crumpled, weakening, her body growing cold. Since taking the medicine from Sadie, she hadn’t coughed up blood. This sudden turn of events terrified Garrett. He rushed to pick her up, carrying her back to the manor.

When they arrived, Garrett laid Natasha on the bed but couldn’t wake her. Panic gripped his chest, his heart pounding as he tried to steady himself. He had known this moment would come, but now that it had, he couldn’t bear it. His hands trembled as he sat beside her, fighting against the overwhelming fear that threatened to consume him.

It was Jessica who reacted first, rushing over with urgency. “Garrett, Isolde and Oliver are up in the mountains. You need to let them know and send someone down to get a doctor.”

Geoffrey and Prunella in Argentum, the customary rites didn’t matter. Isolde was personally overseeing her parents’ burial. From a distance, Isolde saw Wade running toward her, and her heart skipped a beat. She hurried to him, fear rising in her chest. “Has something happened to Natasha?”

“Yes! Yes, she’s coughing up blood and fainted. Hurry back!”

Isolde’s vision blurred, and her legs nearly gave way. She turned to Oliver, her voice breaking. “Is it true?”

Oliver had already dropped everything. Without a second thought, he scooped her up, carrying her swiftly through the mountains.