The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 23 Did You Do It?

Finished

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.”

on his wound, making him cry out in pain.

split the heavens, briefly lighting the inside. There,

the scars etched

flashed again. The botler howled, and two ragged pieces of his ears dropped

with the maids, Isolde was long

Fri, Mar 7

Did You

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Duke’s estate!”

shaking the heavens and tearing through the earth. It wasn’t until

gates shuddered under a barrage of

his butler with ears bandaged and Matilda trailing close behind. fury written across her

earlier, and Isolde intended to scatter them–simple labor for a

slowly stood. leaning on her hoe for support. A cold, defiant smile played across her lips as her gaze met the Duke’s. “Well Your Grace, what

visit.”

with anger and disappointment. “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 me. I’m the one who struck

if you wish me to raise my hand against you–my father, by name- surely such a sin would

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

harmed? Well, perhaps you’ve made one too many enemies, and someone came knocking. Why

no common servant–you’ve no right to treat him so? If he brings this to the

coolly. “But if you wish to

The butler’s wives saw you They’ll testify against

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

“What nonsense

gaze turned to him, her voice low, steady, and bitter. “You’ve already judged me, haven’t you? You asked Helena, you questioned the guards, you listened to Lady Blackwell

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