The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 26 Let You Off

The Duke of Blackmoor’s eyes flared with anger. “Are you so unwilling to call me father?”

Finished

Isolde’s voice was icy, her gaze unyielding. “Why must we keep up this pretense? Before I was thirteen, I had no father or mother, and I managed just fine. Why take me back now, only for appearances? You’re uncomfortable looking at me, and I’m disappointed in you.”

She added, “It would’ve been better to leave things as they were at least then I’d have a fond memory to hold on to. Tearing it open only reveals blood and cruelty, nothing more.”

The Duke stiffened. That one beating had shattered her trust completely, driving an insurmountable wedge between them.

“I know nothing I say will matter,” he admitted heavily. But if you still wish to marry into the Marquis’s household. I will fight for you. If nothing else, I can ensure you the position of the first wife.”

Isolde let out a cold, scornful laugh. “No, I won’t take what isn’t mine. I’ll only reclaim what is.”

The Duke frowned, taken aback. “What is yours?”

A sharp glint flickered in her eyes. “My mother’s dowry

His brows drew together in thought. “Your mother’s dowry is yours by right. But part of it lies with your stepmother, Matilda. The rest remains with your grandmother.

“I want Matilda’s share back now,” Isolde replied evenly. As for that old woman Prudence… If you have any regard for my mother’s memory, then stand aside. Do nothing.”

Her unrelenting tone and her refusal to even call Prudence politely unsettled him. The bitterness in her words was unmistakable.

“If you don’t overstep your bounds, I won’t intervene,” he said at last. “But if you take things too far…”

Tll only take back what is mine,” she cut him off, a chilling smile on her lips. “If they give it willingly. I won’t harm a hair on their heads. If not…” She trailed off, but the menace in her voice was clear.

The Duke’s expression hardened. “I’ll see that Matilda returns what’s due. As for your grandmother, she’s far off in Caelmont-

when she

covet such a thing. She’s merely keeping it in trust. When you marry, it will

place so much faith in kinship, Isolde said with quiet disdain. “Especially where there’s no blood. Even those

Duke’s patience wore thin. “You’re speaking madness.

you told me to come to you if anyone bullied me, do you remember?

Let

출시 93%1

Finished

to rely on no one but myself. I’ve learned not to hope–hope only

Duke was silent, her words cutting deeper than

his voice

like this, he said

smile, full of cynicism. They all despise me for my harsh words, yet no one questions the ugliness of their

away, searching for a change in topic. “How did you end up on Wolf

claimed Mary’s family had accused me of a crime and summoned me to the courts,” Isolde explained calmly. “But once I entered the carriage, I was drugged and taken away. I told Helena to send word to you, but the housekeeper intercepted her. He kidnapped her brother

roared, his face

tone cold and mocking. “Had Helena reached you. you’d be celebrated as the hero who brought

contorted, the veins in his temples standing out. The housekeeper?”

“But I learned the heir was at Wolf Mountain. I thought I’d stay and act as an informant. I trusted Helena would reach you. 1 thought you’d come to rescue me, and we’d win a victory together. I hoped that, perhaps, you’d finally look- upon me kindly. Maybe then my days

come to? I fought, I bled…

was frosty. “With Marshal Blackwell and his wife at his back, how could he not act with such gall? If I were gone, Eleanor would step into the Marquis’s household without a single hindrance. A marriage like that would raise

each layer, the truth unraveled,

favor, only to be met with aloof indifference. Now the truth was plain: Milton had always set his sights on a grander prize–the

A calculated maneuver, meant to force the

face flushed, and his temper seared through him. He spared Isolde no further glance. With a violent sweep of his cloak, he stormed

consumed by fury, Isolde felt

her. Her path had always been a relentless climb through thorns and

the past changes nothing. Blood and tears alone care the way

26 Let You Off