Chapter 77: Luring the Enemy + Pearls

When Samiyah saw her daughter being criticized, she hurried over and sneered, "I was wondering who was making a fuss. So it's you. What's wrong? Are you upset that the engagement was broken off? If you were more virtuous, it wouldn't have happened. Why don't you reflect on what you've done?"

Samiyah's words, rich with implication, drew a crowd. Helena's anger made her hands tremble. Just as she was about to retort, Isolde intervened, holding her back. Isolde looked at Samiyah and said sarcastically, "Yes, I'm indeed not virtuous enough. I can't tolerate William sleeping around before marriage, and that's why the engagement was broken off. None of us are upset about it. But something strikes me as odd. Marshal Blackwell has always been strict, yet news spread so quickly. Is getting pregnant before marriage something glorious to you?"

Isolde's words shocked many. They would certainly laugh at the Blackwell family; a premarital pregnancy was a scandal. However, they were shocked Isolde mentioned it openly. After all, she and the Blackwells were relatives and would meet again. In Argentum, in-laws were allies, bound together for better or worse. If the Blackwell family was mocked, the Langley family would suffer as well.

Therefore, Samiyah had deliberately kept her words vague. She didn't want to expose the details of the broken engagement and become a laughingstock. She'd only made a subtle counterattack to protect their families' reputations. But Samiyah hadn't expected Isolde's boldness. Samiyah, stunned by Isolde's outspokenness, could only say resentfully, "Eleanor is naturally in the wrong. However, I can't be bothered to criticize you. Just reflect on yourself. Even if you want to embarrass yourself, our family isn't."

Samiyah then ignored the gossip and pulled Eleanor away, leaving William behind. Although Isolde seemed to have won a small battle, her reputation suffered. Everyone considered her reckless and ignorant. Some ladies, previously impressed by her beauty and title, now distanced themselves.

Isolde smiled coldly and started to leave, but William caught up with her. The confrontation seemed to involve him, yet William knew no one would criticize a man for such mistakes. Eleanor and Isolde, however, would be. He had to get to the bottom of it. "Stop right there. Make yourself clear!" William demanded, his eyes angry.

Isolde looked at him and said quietly, "Isn't it clear enough? Must I say that I don't like you and am unwilling to marry you?"

Repeatedly humiliated by Isolde, William had never been treated this way. His face flushed. "What's wrong with me?"

"What's so good about you?" Isolde asked mercilessly. Seeing his reluctance, she added aggressively, "Other than your prominent family background, what else is outstanding about you? Your family background is given to you by your father; it has nothing to do with you. I will not marry a mediocre and useless person. Get it?"

Isolde left without looking back. William was angry and frustrated, hating himself. Why did he keep pestering a woman he didn't even want?

Princess Aveline's birthday party was for the nobility, people meticulous about decorum. They would never dream of making a misstep; even a burp would require a discreet retreat to avoid judgmental stares. By quarreling with Samiyah, Isolde had created a scandal. However, no one openly discussed it; they only gossiped in corners.

When Isolde reached a gazebo, several ladies gossiping quickly dispersed upon seeing her. No one wanted to be associated with her for fear of ridicule. The gazebo was instantly empty, leaving only Isolde and a young girl slowly sipping coffee.

The young girl, in a purple dress with her hair in a bun, wore a ruby necklace and sapphire earrings. Her simple outfit was elegantly understated. She wasn't strikingly beautiful, but her features were distinct. She held a white cup with gold patterns, her movements graceful. Though her face held no smile, she exuded gentleness.

Isolde recognized her: Sadie, the Marquis of Greystone's daughter. Sadie and Estelle were twins, but their personalities differed greatly. Sadie was gentle and elegant, while Estelle was wild and arrogant, unpopular in Argentum. However, both were highborn. Their father, Jonathan, was the Prince Regent's cousin, and their mother, Rosemary, was the Queen Mother's godsister. Since birth, Estelle and Sadie had been doted on by the Queen Mother, their titles bestowed personally by her. Strangely, they never appeared together. Rumor had it they weren't on good terms.

"Your ladyship," Isolde curtsied.

Sadie smiled, unsurprised Isolde knew her. In Argentum, many did. "Your ladyship," Sadie replied gracefully, then rose and left, her every movement exemplary. Her dress hem swayed gently, her shoes spotless. This suggested two possibilities: Sadie was trained in combat, or she'd received strict etiquette training in the palace.

Isolde found peace and quietly waited for tonight's show – Pearls.

The Princess's estate was very large. The courtyard was also very large, but lacked expensive flowers or trees. Several large trees with wide canopies provided ample shade.

The servants, dressed in plain clothes, were well-behaved and smiled. Even if young gentlemen and ladies threw tantrums, they maintained their manners.

From afar, Isolde saw Milton talking to several marquises, including Jonathan. Milton lowered his head humbly; when Jonathan spoke, he listened attentively, his demeanor respectful and sincere.

Sensing he was being watched, Milton looked up and their eyes met. A ferocious glint flashed in Milton's eyes, while Isolde looked at him provocatively. His fury was palpable; he wanted to kill her. But when someone approached Isolde, the glint vanished, replaced by a venomous stare.

Isolde left with that person, quickly followed by Milton, who found an excuse to trail them to a forest on the Princess's estate. They entered, and Milton, seeing he was undiscovered, eavesdropped.

"Are you telling the truth? Do you have any evidence?" Isolde asked.

"Of course there's evidence. I have Milton's letters; he wrote them himself. He asked me to capture Lord Theodric and you. I also have evidence linking him to Shadowmere's case," the person said.

"Give me the evidence. I'll pass it to Princess Aveline and Lord Garraway," Isolde said.