The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 23 Did You Do It?

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Isolde slowly lifted her head, fixing him with an icy stare. “You don’t know? That’s unfortunate. I had thought… if you gave me Helena’s brother, I might spare your life. But it seems this deal is no longer on the table.”

She rose s

gracefully, advancing toward him. The butler stumbled back in terror, his feet fumbling clumsily.

With deliberate ease, Isolde plucked the dagger embedded by the bed. The cold steel caught the dim light, flashing menacingly as she twirled it before him. Her smile sharpened. “I’ll give you one more chance- where is Helena’s brother?”

The butler swallowed hard. Mary’s grisly end replaying in his mind. His heart pounded, but pride gave him a shred of defiance.

“Lady Marilda.” he rasped, struggling to sound bold, I’m no bonded servant of the Duke’s house, nor was I ever sold to it. If you kill me, you’ll answer for it–you can’t escape the noose.

Isolde chuckled, soft and low. “A life for a life? Perhaps But.. Her gaze turned sharper, predatory. “Who’s to say I killed you?”

The dagger’s blade pressed against his cheek, the chill biting deep. The butler froze, petrified, afraid to move a muscle.

“You… you’ll regret this,” he stammered, his voice trembling despite himself. The Marshal and the Duke won’t let you go unpunished!”

The words had barely left his lips when Isolde’s hand moved. The blade swept in a clean line, slicing from the corner of his mouth to his ear. Blood streamed down his face as he screamed–a sound swallowed instantly by the rolling thunder outside.

Somewhere, Lady Cantrell fled, her skirts flapping as she disappeared into the storm. She had no mind to intervene, leaving the butler to his fate.

The wind howled, the rain drummed ceaselessly, and no soul in the house dared come near.

At last, the butler’s spirit cracked. Sobbing through his pain, he croaked, “The woodshed… in my family’s woodshed…”

Isolde’s lips curved into a cruel smile. She yanked him to his feet, her voice soft and mocking, “Lead the way, then.”

out. The pouring rain poured on his wound, making him cry out

split the heavens, briefly lighting the inside. There, huddled beside the firewood, was

etched across the boy’s face.

flashed again. The botler howled, and two ragged pieces of his ears dropped to the muddy ground.

his wife arrived with the maids, Isolde was long

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You Do

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Duke’s estate!”

of days, shaking the heavens and tearing through the earth. It wasn’t until dawn that the rain finally

under a barrage

with ears bandaged and Matilda

to scatter them–simple labor for a life of self–reliance. She was a farmer returned to her place, knowing

smile played across her lips as her gaze met the

visit.”

“You’re incorrigible. Sneaking out last night to seek revenge–what madness is this? If you’ve a scope to settle, then settle it with

if you wish me to raise my hand against you–my father, by name- surely such a sin would invite heaven’s wrath. I couldnt dare,

with indignation. My Lady, all I’ve done has been under His Grace’s and Madam’s orders. If I’ve offended you. punish me! Kill me, if you must. But what right have you to harm my

rang out, cold and cutting. Your family was harmed? Well, perhaps you’ve made one too many enemies, and someone came knocking. Why lay

and angry. “Isolde, the builer is no common servant–you’ve no right to

you wish to accuse me, evidence

wives saw you They’ll testify against you.”

in the dead of night on a trumped–up murder charge. drugged me, and sent me to Wolf Mountain. I’d love

paled. “What

and bitter. “You’ve already judged me, haven’t you? You asked Helena, you questioned the guards, you listened to Lady Blackwell and the butler. You believe you’ve uncovered the truth But tell me, Your Grace–did you ever

cold. “The evidence is clear. How can you deny it? Even if I asked