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?”

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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-

calculating. “And when she returns, she’ll pass my mother’s dowry to her own

thing. She’s merely keeping

so much faith in kinship, Isolde said with quiet disdain. “Especially where there’s no blood. Even those with blood ties can’t

thin. “You’re speaking

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

Let You Off

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for me. Since I was a child. I’ve learned to rely on no one

cutting deeper than

last, his voice strained.

speak like

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

searching for a change in topic. “How did

explained calmly. “But once I entered the carriage, I was drugged and taken away. I told Helena to send word to you, but the

spew such lies!” the Duke roared,

celebrated as the hero who brought down the bandits. But the housekeeper was too busy framing me to care about

face contorted, the veins in his temples standing

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

“But what did it come to? I fought, I bled… and for what?”

such gall? If I were gone, Eleanor would step into the Marquis’s household without a single hindrance. A marriage like that would raise the Blackwells

Beneath each layer, the truth unraveled, and

the truth was plain: Milton had always set his sights on a

the talk of love yielding a child? Nonsense. A calculated maneuver, meant to force the Marchioness’s hand and hasten Eleanor’s place in the

seared through him. He spared Isolde no further glance. With

she watched him retreat, so consumed by fury, Isolde felt her own tension

worth it? The answer evaded her. Her path had always been a relentless climb through thorns and

and

Let You Off