The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 25 Forgive Me

Geoffrey drew Lord Garraway aside, his tone low and urgent. “Did Isolde truly save Lord Theodric? Could this be some fabrication!”

Lord Garraway’s face darkened. “What nonsense is this? Didn’t she tell you? That day, Isolde was taken to Wolf Mountain. She escaped alongside Marshal and saved my son. Isolde even slew several bandits herself -Marshal Brackenfell witnessed it with his own eyes. Do you think such a thing could be feigned?”

Geoffrey’s chest tightened. He remembered that night, before raising the family whip. Isolde had looked at him, her sorrowful eyes pleading as she spoke: I killed the bandits. Do you believe me?

Of course he hadn’t girl, slaying bandits? Impossible.

His gaze snapped to Matilda, his temper flaring despite Princess Aveline’s presence. “What about this scholar you mentioned? Where is he?”

Matilda, still reeling from the truth, stammered in alarm at Geoffrey’s anger. “I… I don’t know! It was the maid who said so–or was it the soldier at the gate?”

Her frustration simmered. Isolde saved Lord Theodric? Thank the heavens the engagement was annulled, or Eleanor would never have set foot in the Marquis’s household

Princess Aveline turned to Isolde, gently taking her hand. Though she pieced together enough, she refrained from probing further. “Your injuries didn’t seem so grave that day, What happened? Are you alright?”

Isolde smiled faintly, pale and weary. “I’m fine, Your Highness. Please don’t trouble yourself.”

“How could they be so cruel?” Aveline hissed, her voice shaking as she caught sight of the whip marks–raw and festering–on Isolde’s scalp. Glaring daggers at Geoffrey, she growled, “What sort of father allows this?” “Disregard for the house’s laws must be punished, Isolde replied quietly, her tone devoid of feeling.

Matilda stepped forward, her voice soft, coaxing. Isolde, my dear, why didn’t you say you went to save someone? You stubborn child. If you’d explained, your father would have praised you, not punished you.”

Isolde instinctively pulled back, her gaze cutting past Matilda to rest on Geoffrey. With a faint, bitter smile, she murmured, “Indeed. If I’d told him, how could he have brought himself to strike me?”

Geoffrey said nothing, though his heart was a storm of regret. She had told him–and he had punished her

anyway.

He remembered her tear–filled, furious eyes, the clenched fists as she demanded, “Why don’t believe me?”

you ever

The girl who had once been so fierce and defiant now stood before him, frail and lifeless, her indifference stinging sharper than any words. The contrast unsettled him deeply.

Princess Aveline’s voice broke the silence, sharp with reproach. “Your family’s rules are not mine to question, but she is still your daughter–your flesh and blood. A motherless child from birth, and yet you treat her so mercilessly? Even if she’s at fault, how can you raise your hand against her like this?”

Isolde’s tears only moments ago, and it felt as if

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Forgive

Finished

word. “Geoffrey,” he began, sighing. “your late wife

to the past. “If not for Isolde’s birth, Prunella might still be

chose to bring the girl into this world. She loved Isolde

sorrow raw. “You don’t understand. I sent her away to the estate all these years because every time I see her, I remember how Prunella died.”

from birth, shunned by her father. And you sent her away like some shameful burden? When my son was taken,

was heavy with reproach. “We’ve been friends for decades, Geoffrey, so forgive my bluntness–but you’ve been far too harsh too unfeeling

Geoffrey’s heart quivered.

to let the matter rest, insisted on summoning the royal physician to tend to Isolde’s wounds. At her urging. Isolde led

You

what hardship you’ve suffered!” Princess Aveline

offered a faint smile. Its nothing”

was much bitterness and defiance hidden behind that simple

not to dwell on matters of the inner household. Instead, she

faintly. Your grace. here in the Duke’s estate, the only one who can torment me is my father.

comfort. Your father… Ah. She paused, careful with he words. “He is a

turned cool “Indeed

man. But to her,

physician arrived swiftly At the sight of Isolde’s wounds, he drew a sharp breath. “Why

signaling for a healer to deanse the

Liddy bolde will feel drowsy after

Aveline personally escorted the

Fri, Mar 7

25 Forgive Me

instructions to

guard, Keith, to

Geoffrey appeared unannounced