Chapter 439: Something Happened

The next day, before dawn, Oliver got up. Isolde, hearing the movement, was about to rise as well.

“Go back to sleep for a while; it’s still dark outside,” Oliver said, wrapping her back in the blanket. “It’s too cold; don’t get up.”

“No, I’ll get up and help you with your hair and clothes,” Isolde said, pulling off the blanket.

“I don’t need your help. I can do it myself. Miniro will be here soon.”

“Let the boy sleep a little more; he’s still growing,” Isolde said, draping her arms around his neck. “I enjoy helping you, just like you always help me.”

Oliver chuckled and tapped her red lips. “I help you because I want to. When you help me, I feel guilty. Now, go back to sleep. It’s freezing outside.”

Isolde refused to listen, quickly getting up and starting to arrange his clothes and hair. Oliver gave in, letting her have her way.

When Miniro called softly at the door, Oliver was already dressed and opened it. Miniro was surprised. “You’re dressed already? I’ll go fetch some water.”

Esme, knowing Oliver had court today, had already prepared breakfast. As soon as Oliver finished washing up, she brought in bread and hot oatmeal.

Esme, ever concerned for Oliver, said, “It’s so cold out, and the palace isn’t close. You’ll have to ride all the way there. You’ll freeze on the way. Drink something hot so you don’t end up stiff when you arrive.”

Oliver chuckled. “Esme, I’m not made of glass. This isn’t that bad. In the Northern Desert, we dealt with worse cold. Many soldiers had their limbs frozen; ears could snap off.”

“That’s terrifying! I can’t bear to hear it,” Esme sighed, her concern evident.

Isolde laughed softly, remembering how bitterly cold the Northern Desert could be. It was the coldest place in the Eryndral Empire. She had spent half a year there in a previous life. It was manageable if you lived there, but marching and fighting in such conditions was hellish.

“Fragoland’s border town is cold too. While it’s not as bad as the Northern Desert, it’s still colder than Argentum,” Isolde added.

Oliver raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been to Fragoland?”

Isolde paused, then realized what he was implying. She didn’t respond, and after he finished his breakfast, she escorted him to the door before heading back to bed.

However, now that she was awake, she couldn’t sleep. She wasn’t the type to laze around in bed, so she got up and busied herself. After nearly half an hour, the Valen family was still as quiet as night. The sky was just beginning to lighten, so Isolde sat down to read.

She didn’t often read, but she loved military books. Oliver had many of them, and she was fascinated.

Esme rubbed her eyes. “When you get old, you can’t stay up late. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“By the way, did you hear anything from the palace yesterday?” Isolde asked, putting the book down.

Esme replied, “Not much. Rowena says she never revealed who the father of the child was, but she did mention that he’d once beaten her out of jealousy. Apparently, his wife didn’t want him to take a concubine.”

“She was beaten?” Isolde frowned. “Why would she be beaten?”

“Why else? She was jealous. The wife didn’t want her husband to take another woman.”

“Then why did Penny end up having a child with him? Why did she get pregnant?”

Esme sighed. “She was fooled by his sweet words. A woman can’t resist those when she’s desperate. Penny was in a tough spot, her family was in turmoil, and she’d been jilted. A man promised her things, and she was probably willing to give him anything, including her body.”

Isolde froze, thinking for a long time before asking, “Did he take the child from her?”

“It was the wife who took the child. The woman never had any children of her own.”

Isolde’s heart ached. “Penny must have suffered terribly. He didn’t want her, and took the child away. She had no one to help her.”

Esme added, “If she really wanted help, she could have asked. Your mother, Rosemary, and Rowena all knew her well, but Penny was stubborn and refused to ask.”

Isolde’s heart softened further. “Esme, I want to discuss something with you.”

“Are you thinking about bringing her back?” Esme asked, knowing Isolde’s intentions without needing further explanation.

“What do you think?” Isolde asked.

Esme gave her a gentle look. “If you want to bring her back, then do it. Don’t ask for my approval.”

Isolde leaned against her and pouted. “I should ask the elders for advice. You’re the eldest in this family; who else should I ask?”

Esme ruffled her hair and smiled. “Silly child, I’m old. It’s up to you. But if Penny comes back on her own, it’s fine. If you ask her, she might not want to disappoint you, but it could put pressure on her. Argentum is where she suffered most.”

Isolde paused, thinking for a moment. “Then let’s put it on hold for now. After things settle down, I’ll go to Windermount and see how she feels. If she’s willing to come back, I’ll bring her here.”

Esme smiled warmly. “You understand her well.”

“I’m usually reckless, not understanding,” Isolde said with a self-deprecating laugh.

She stood up. “I’ve read enough for now. I’ll go for a walk.”

“It’s freezing out there. Where are you going?” Esme asked.

Isolde smiled. “You sleep; I’ll wander around the estate.”

Esme chuckled. “You can’t sit still, can you? Why not stay warm indoors?”

Isolde grinned, shrugged into her cloak, and stepped outside.

Outside, Noelle and Britney were heading out. “Where are you going?” Isolde asked.

Noelle smiled, covering her mouth. “We’re going to watch. Arthur is here again. I wonder if Agnes will go with him.”

Isolde laughed and scolded, “Busybody.”

But her curiosity piqued, she followed them. Arthur wasn’t a terrible person, but his relentless spoiling of his sister had led him astray. He had talent, and if he devoted himself to the empire, he could do a lot of good for the people. It was a shame.

“We’ll go too,” Hattie and Hazel said, joining them.

“Let’s go. We’ll just go for a walk, not to spy,” Isolde said with a smile.

As they approached the courtyard, they saw Arthur standing in front of the porch, waiting. Agnes and Margaret hadn’t come out yet, and no one had invited him inside.

Isolde was surprised. Was Margaret truly rejecting him as a son-in-law? But given her prideful nature, it was hard to believe she’d want her daughter to be returned.

Isolde hadn’t seen Arthur in a while, and seeing him now was shocking. He looked terribly thin, his jaw sharp, his whole figure appearing frail, as though the cold wind had turned him into something ghostly. His face was pale, his eyes hollow, and there was no spark of life in them. He stood there alone, without even a servant by his side.