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?”

only moments ago, and it felt as if

-end fanm ki

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Mar 7

25 Forgive Me

Finished

“Geoffrey,” he began, sighing. “your

turned his thoughts to the past. “If not for Isolde’s

in disbelief. When Prunella Carried Isolde, the physician warned her- childbirth might cost her life. Yet she chose to bring the girl into this world. She loved Isolde more than life itself! Can’t you

I sent her away to the estate all these years because every time I see her, I remember how

was sharp, his frustration spilling over. “How can you blame her for that? She’s the one who suffers most–motherless from birth, shunned by her father. And you sent her away like some shameful burden? When my son was taken, I

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

Geoffrey’s heart quivered.

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

You

suffered!” Princess Aveline gasped softly as she inspected the wound

faint smile. Its nothing”

bitterness and defiance hidden behind that simple word.

chose not to dwell on matters of the inner household. Instead, she said gently, “If anyone troubles you again, come to me

one who can torment me is my father. No one

with concern. “Seeing your strength gives me some comfort. Your father… Ah. She paused, careful with

turned

A good man. But to her, he had shown noe of

sight of Isolde’s wounds, he drew a sharp breath. “Why wasn’t this Treated sooner? The wound

opened his medical case, signaling for a healer to deanse the injury.

the fever high. I’ve prescribed a strong dose. Liddy bolde will feel drowsy after taking it, but it’s nothing to worry

personally escorted the

Fri, Mar 7

Forgive

instructions to Noelle before leaving

she left her personal guard, Keith, to keep

Geoffrey appeared unannounced at

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