The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 315 She Would Be a Dog Too

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Martha felt as though Ashley had struck the air from her lungs. A lifetime as a concubine? That was not a fate she was willing to accept.

“If I go and say it… what will you do?” Martha asked.

Ashley replied smoothly, “You don’t need to worry about that. I have my ways. Just say what I told you, and on Isolde’s wedding day, find a way to be there. It’s up to you take the gamble or let this opportunity slip away. This may be the best chance you’ll ever have.”

Martha looked at her and smiled, but her eyes were filled with seriousness. “You’re helping me… what do you get out of it?”

Ashley’s lips curled in an almost amused smirk. “The Valen family is, after all, my in–laws now. If you become its mistress, tell me–would that not be beneficial to me?”

Martha immediately understood. Ashley wanted her to stand against Isolde, to fight for the position of the Valen family’s mistress. If she succeeded, she would be an asset to Ashley within the palace.

“If this plan succeeds, I will never forget your kindness today,” Martha vowed.

Ashley merely smiled.

Cultivating someone like Martha was a necessary move. She couldn’t afford to be isolated once inside the palace—she needed allies. Even if Martha only had a small amount of cunning, with the right guidance, she could be useful.

And when she was no longer useful? Then she would be discarded.

Martha left Ashley’s residence and inquired with the servants, “Where is William? Clark asked me to deliver something to him.”

“He’s in his quarters. Follow me,” a servant answered, leading the way.

Martha took a deep breath and followed, step by step. Before leaving Ashley’s chambers, she had carefully adjusted her attire and hair, but no matter how she fixed herself up, her dress remained a simple, slightly worn green satin gown, and her cloak was one from last year.

The servant led her to William’s courtyard and asked her to wait while he went inside to inform him.

William emerged, standing on the stone steps. Dressed in a brocade robe with a golden jade crown, he looked every bit the noble young lord.

And she? A disgraced orphan with no status or backing.

Martha clenched her sleeves, a wave of despondency washing over her.

Yet, it was precisely this sorrow that gave her the resolve to throw caution to the wind. It added a hint of tragic beauty to her features.

before him

and her brother, he had assumed it was one of the

foil ha

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of courtesy, he had come out to meet her rather than summon her inside. After

studied her, he noticed a hint of sadness in her expression.

Valen, I am Martha.” She curtsied

immediately darkened. Isolde’s

are you here?” he

at him, her heart pounding. She had come with an agenda, but somewhere along the way, she had truly fallen for him. William embodied everything she

had to

I did not tell you what was in my heart before that happens, I would regret it until my dying breath. Now that I’ve spoken, my heart is at peace.

the end of her confession, tears shimmered in her eyes, her voice catching with emotion. Without waiting for a response, she turned and ran, her retreating figure tinged with sorrow and finality.

William stood frozen.

not expected this. Not at all.

thrown himself into a relationship with Eleanor, even going so far as to risk ruining himself just to avoid his

then, much of it had been out of defiance. Of course, Eleanor’s unwavering devotion had moved

words… they struck him differently.

seeking marriage proposals for him, but with his tarnished reputation, respectable families had turned away,

matchmaker and returned with a pale, drained expression, he understood–he was

episode with Agnes, where he had been

self–esteem had taken a

felt utterly worthless, a girl

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315 She Would Be a Dog Too

a tear

single tear cut into him like

been so delicate, yet so

inside, lost in thought.

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