The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 322 The Night Before

For nearly half an hour, Patricia and Christine took turns discussing the intricate arts of the bouche, there voices rising and falling in a measured cadence, Given the topic’s private nature, all four women in the room were blushing deeply.

To Isolde, this was the most excruciating conversation of the night.

Not because she was shy–she had long since abandoned such notions–but because Christine simply wouldn’t stop. After Patricia finished, Christine seized her hand and pressed on earnestly, “Now, Oliver already has a concubine. Cristina is no ordinary woman–she comes from a distinguished bureaucrac family, and her brother is a high–ranking minister. She was even once Oliver’s fiancée. If she wins his favor, she could become a threat to your position. That’s why, in the bedroom, you must make Oliver to enthralled with you that he has neither the time nor the energy to visit Cristina

Patricia nodded in firm agreement. “Exactly. Especially since Oliver is a warrior, full of youthful vigor. You must keep a tight hold on him.”

Isolde blinked, stunned. Keep a tight hold? You mean, watch him closely?

Patricia shot her a withering look. “Oh, you foolish child. After all this talk, and you still don’t understand? If he is completely captivated by you, where would he find the strength to seek out another woman? Argentum is a place where taking concubines is common practice. Fortunately, the Sharp family’s men are not known for such indulgences. But Allan, I hear, is a stickler for tradition. If he follows protocol to the letter, Oliver will have no choice but to visit Cristina’s chambers. You’d better act fast and give him an heir- otherwise, who knows how many concubines he’ll end up taking?”

Isolde scoffed. “Oliver won’t be taking concubines anytime soon.”

“That’s what you think. But he already has one.”

Isolde’s lips thinned. “Cristina wouldn’t accept being a mere concubine. Once I marry in, I’ll make sure she’s sent away.”

“Oh, if only it were that simple! You think she’ll just leave of her own accord? There are two types of concubines: those bought and those formally accepted into the household. The former can be dismissed at will, but the latter–once brought in through proper rites–cannot be sold or expelled without cause. Besides, Cristina is from a prestigious family. If you recklessly drive her out, it’ll be seen as a disgraceful

move.”

3

Isolde hadn’t thought about it in such detail. In her previous life, she paid little attention to household matters. If William doted on Eleanor, so be it–wasn’t that just the way of men?

But now? The mere thought of Oliver lying with Cristina made her blood boil. Rage and jealousy clawed at her insides, and for the first time, she truly understood what Oliver meant when he said he minded such things.

“I’ll deal with her after the wedding,” she said, though deep down, she wasn’t sure of Cristina’s intentions. Cristina was proud and ambitious–surely she wouldn’t settle for being a concubine. If anything, she was the type of woman destined to sit at the head of a household, ruling with an iron fist.

The conversation finally ended. As they stepped outside, the cold night air greeted them, along with the muffled giggles of eavesdroppers who had clearly been listening at the door. When the door swung open, the onlookers feigned innocence, laughing as if nothing had happened.

A round of cake followed. but sleep was fleeting.

322 The Night Before

87

Finished

she could only spare an hour and a half before she had to rise again. Natasha, though older, was in high spirits and full of energy, chatting away with the

reluctant to leave as well. How could she go to bed when everyone else was

a long day ahead of you. If you don’t rest now, no amount of powder will hide your exhaustion. I want to see the most radiant snowball

chuckled. “Snowball? More like a lump of

lump of coal

the elders,

Staying up one night

her head. “The others can go without sleep, but you need to rest. Tomorrow, you’re just

a laugh. “Nonsense.

yawns, I’ll have her escorted to bed.” Then, with a sly glance, she added, “You should be more concerned

Natasha, shaking her

in her chambers, Isolde lay in bed,

life, she had endured far worse on the battlefield. Compared to war, what was a wedding

in the quiet, letting her thoughts

once, she wasn’t burdened by bad memories. Instead, she found

almost felt unreal. Her journey had been treacherous, filled with hardships, but the outcome

thinking

he thinking the same things I

argued with him. Would

waste time dwelling on

most, five years together. Such a short

be with him–even for just five years–was enough.

die in a few days…

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Wed, 2 Apr

322 The Night

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