Chapter 10 Just the Beginning

Isolde was destined for a life of adoration, yet she became an orphan forgotten by all.

“Take me back to Windermount,” Isolde said soft gone. I’m perfectly fine in Windermount.”

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turning her pale face toward him. “You won’t fret if I’m

“Don’t be absurd. I would never send you back there, replied Geoffrey, his tone torn. For years, he had resented her, but now, seeing her face–so much like her mother’s without the mask of powder–his anger.

ebbed.

Her last words before she collapsed had cut through him like a blade.

Tears spilled from Isolde’s eyes. “In Windermount, I kept chickens, goats, thirteen cows, and five grand horses. There was the wet nurse, Helena, the flowers, my garden, fields of wheat and barley. I could ride, fence, drink… I loved the manor. Leaving broke my heart. But then the butler came. He said you missed me, that you wanted me near because you were growing old…”

She had meant to feign emotion, yet found herself baring the truth. It had always been this way, even in her past life.

She had never let go of the bond with her father. Otherwise, she would not have been so easily swayed in her last life by Matilda and Mary, who promised that pleasing him was the way to win his love.

Especially now–especially as someone who had once been a mother herself.

A quiet sigh slipped from her lips as her gaze wandered to the patterns on the canopy above. “I returned… only to realize the steward lied.”

The words were biting, but beneath the bitterness lay an unshakable sorrow.

Geoffrey was shaken but kept his face stoic. Only moments ago, he had stood outside her door, listening to her anguished cries in her nightmares. He had never known

“I’ve sent the Marshal of Brackenfell to the palace,” he said, his voice firm. “The royal physician will provide medicine for your injuries. As for Helena’s claim that Mary poisoned you, I will see to it personally.”

Isolde lay still, her expression blank, as though none of it mattered.

For the first time, she caught a flicker of pity in her father’s eyes–something she had never seen in her previous life. But if family love was earned only through agony and schemes, she wanted no part of it.

closed her eyes, catching the

to fight?” Geoffrey asked after

only deepen his guilt, ensuring he saw her as the victim in this charade.

had poisoned her, the matter would be resolved..

execution would be more than Justice. It would establish dominance, vent her

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10 Just the Beginning

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emboldened enemies. A

silence, she heard him

one for cunning plans. In Windermount,

weakness. If I had even a single ally in this household, would I have been pushed to such desperate measures?

first, she only intended to implicate Milton in the poisoning. But his sudden return with Oliver

in her mind, stirring hatred so deep her vision blurred.

in her throat; she coughed it out and slipped into unconsciousness

faint sweetness lingered on her tongue.

to find Helena’s worried face hovering

exclaimed

over Isolde Langley. She glanced up and met

up and saw a slightly

you feel?” he asked, his voice as flat as his expression.

as she regarded his icy demeanor. “I heard you went to

Pills were a famed court remedy, rumored to have

benefactor. It was my duty,” Oliver

a slight nod and motioned for Helena to help her

lake. “Since you’re well, I’ll take my leave.” Without another word, he turned and

him into revealing his full strength. She had allowed herself to be hit- calculated, intentional, cunning. Whatever her reasons, her ability to

machinations. He had no patience for court intrigues or women who thrived.

exhaled softly, then turned to Helena

behind her back before answering. “After you fainted, the Duke was furious. He launched an investigation into the poisoning and summoned a

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