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Nicole quickly tried to smooth things over. “Martha, just eat. The food’s getting cold. It’s rare for the family to sit down together–let’s not ruin it with arguments.”

Martha responded coolly, “A family is only a family when a father is present. You all go ahead. I have no appetite. How can I cat when my father is suffering?”

With that, she tossed down her utensils and walked away,

Nicole felt regret immediately. She shouldn’t have invited her. A perfectly good dinner had been ruined.

She turned to Isolde apologetically. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked her to come.

Isolde looked at her cautious expression and let out a soft sigh. “Big Sister, there’s no need to apologize. If anyone should, it’s her. I am your younger sister. You can even scold me if you want.”

Nicole hesitated, then gave an awkward but gentle smile. “You’re doing so well. Why would I scold you? Right, Big Brother?”

She turned to Clark, almost pleading for support.

Clark glanced at both of them and nodded. “Isolde is right. You are the eldest.”

Nicole laughed sheepishly, visibly uncomfortable. She was someone who had never taken charge of anything in her life, always waiting for others to lead the way.

Geoffrey placed some food on Nicole’s plate. “Eat.”

Nicole let out a breath of relief. “Thank you. But how can I trouble you to serve me?”

Saying that, she picked up the food and tried to pass it to Isolde instead.

Isolde’s plate was already stacked like a small mountain. The additional portion caused the food to tip over and spill onto the table.

Nicole gasped, her face turning pale. “Isolde, I didn’t mean to!”

Isolde put her fork down with a deliberate clatter, her face darkening as she stared at Nicole.

Nicole was so frightened that tears nearly welled up in her eyes. She had never been so afraid of Isolde before, but after realizing how much the Langley family depended on her–how she had been made a County Princess–Nicole couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of reverence. Or rather, fear.

Isolde turned to Clark and said quietly, “Clark, take Nicole outside.”

If she stayed any longer, she would probably burst into tears right there.

Clark nodded. “You all continue eating. Save me some food, I’ll come back later.”

“I’ll have Esme prepare a fresh meal for you. By the time you return, this food will be cold.” Isolde said.

Clark took Nicole’s arm and led

Isolde and Geoffrey remained at the table, allowing them to eat in

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at a steady pace, neither rushing nor hesitating. She had expected this meal to be unbearably awkward, but surprisingly, she felt

well, suppressing his urge to

poured a small bowl

quickly reached out, carefully taking the bowl. “Oh.

nervousness and gratitude made Isolde

his mindset. He was filled with guilt toward her, so

she didn’t like

she had somehow become the ruling force.

as irritating as she was, felt

soup and smiled. “That

“Take your time. I’ll

a

a rare

tomorrow.”

do you look like

to talk to Nicole,” Isolde

should,” Esme agreed, frowning. “She’s

afraid of me,” Isolde said bluntly.

could anyone be afraid of

I’m not a monster, either. I’ve done nothing to her, so why is she so scared? It’s

dependent on others now, so

-clinging to Michelle’s kindness, questioning herself whenever Michelle was cold. That desperate need for approval… wasn’t it

Have Esme prepare a separate meal for Clark and

“Understood.”

“Isolde must be upset that I invited Martha. I just wanted the family to have a nice meal together.

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remained silent, simply watching her.

Finished

even more flustered. “How could I be so foolish? I should have known better! This dinner was so important to Uncle

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