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After a slight pause, Blake said, “Sophie has gone against the criteria listed in the marriage laws. Today, I invited representatives from the Devin family and a matchmaker as witnesses to divorce her.” Derek’s smile faded, his tone turning icy, “I see. General Jaffe, there’s no need for you to bear the stigma of divorcing your wife. His Majesty will make the final decision.”
He raised the royal edict in his hand. “Lady Devin, heed the edict!”
Letting out a slow breath of relief, Sophie lowered herself to her knees. “I’m honored to receive the edict!”
Derek unfolded the edict and began to read aloud, “By the grace of heaven, the king decrees: Hector Devin, the Marquis of Northwatch, safeguarded our kingdom’s borders for many years. He achieved great military feats, especially in reclaiming the Sky Mountain territory with six junior generals.
“Furthermore, the Marquis of Northwatch and his six sons sacrificed their lives to reclaim the southern borders of our kingdom. In recognition of his contribution’s to the nation, the king confers upon him the title of duke posthumously.”
Upon hearing this, Theodore and Solomon were overwhelmed with emotion.
“The king hasn’t forgotten the sacrifices of Hector and his family…” Theodore muttered, crying tears of joy.
The members of the Jaffe family, however, wore complicated expressions. Why confer the title of duke only now? It should have been granted posthumously when they sacrificed themselves years ago. Derek continued reading. “The title of duke shall be hereditary for three generations. However, we’re aware that all male descendants of the Duke of Northwatch are deceased, and only Lady Sophie Devin, his daughter, remains.
“So, her husband may inherit the title. If Lady Devin’s husband holds another title, they can adopt someone from the Devin family as their foster son. Lady Devin will hold the power to decide who it will be.”
Stunned, Rebecca nearly fainted on the spot.
Sophie’s husband could inherit the title of duke? Then, if Blake hadn’t divorced her, wouldn’t he have been able to gain that title?!
For a military officer, climbing to the rank of duke was incredibly difficult. It might even be impossible in one’s lifetime. Being made a count or a marquis was already a remarkable achievement.
“Furthermore,” Derek continued, “Lady Devin reported to His Majesty recently that when General Jaffe proposed marriage to her, he vowed never to take a concubine in his lifetime. That was why she married into the Jaffe family.
“Now, General Jaffe seeks to marry General Ernst based on his military accomplishments. So, Lady Devin requested a divorce. After consultation with the queen dowager, His Majesty agreed that General Jaffe was at fault.
“In line with that, His Majesty has issued this divorce edict. Henceforth, both families have no ties, whether in life or death. This is as decreed by the king!”
Sophie bowed deeply, her shoulders relaxing as she sighed in relief.
The royal edict had come at last.
“I thank His Majesty for his grace,” she said gratefully.
Blake’s face turned pale; he was frozen in shock.
When Sophie went to the palace, she had actually sought permission from the king to divorce him? Not to obstruct his marriage to Freya?
Had she planned to divorce him ever since she learned about his and Freya’s marriage?!
Blake thought Sophie had done all those things to possess him exclusively. So, he had seen her as jealous, petty, selfish, narrow-minded, unable to tolerate others, and even despicable.
But it wasn’t like that….
Blake felt an indescribable feeling in his heart as he watched Sophie receive the edict. A warm smile appeared on her face, radiant and captivating.
Suddenly, he remembered the first time he saw her. Captivated by her beauty, he had even forgotten how to breathe. But then, he met Freya…
Rebecca was also taken aback. She had never expected Sophie to seek a divorce actively. With the king granting permission for the divorce, Sophie could take all her dowry with her. Valor Estate was already a shell of its former glory. If Sophie took all her dowry, how would the estate survive?
“Sophie, it was all a misunderstanding!” Rebecca hurried over and grabbed Sophie’s arm. “I misunderstood you. I thought you were deliberately trying to sabotage Blake and Freya’s marriage! That’s why I agreed for Blake to divorce you, because of your presumed jealousy.”
Sophie withdrew her hand and stepped back from the older woman, “If it was a misunderstanding, it should have been clarified.”
Then, Sophie turned to Derek. “Mr. Walker, I won’t ask you to stay. When you have time in a few days, come to Northwatch Estate. Let me treat you to Lulu’s cooking.”
“Very well!” Derek looked at her and explained, “Officials from the Ministry of Housing have been sent to renovate and redecorate Northwatch Estate. They have been rushing day and night, and the work is finally completed.
“That was the reason His Majesty took a while to issue the edict for your divorce. You can move back to the estate any time you want, Lady Devin.”
“I thank His Majesty for his grace,” Sophie said, her voice thick with emotion and her eyes reddening with unshed tears.
“Everything is in the past now. Things will get better in the future,” Derek continued. “The queen dowager also mentioned that she hasn’t seen you in a long time and misses you dearly. Whenever you’re free, please visit her in the palace.”
After Derek finished speaking, he led the royal guards away without saying another word to the Jaffe family.
Rebecca still held onto Sophie’s sleeve. “Sophie, have you gone to pay respects to the queen dowager in the past? Mr. Walker said she misses you and thinks about you. Why didn’t you go to the palace to visit her this year? Why did you never tell me how well the queen dowager treats you?”
“I used to do it in the past.” Sophie pulled her arm out of Rebecca’s grip. “But I married into the Jaffe family and was no longer a lady of the marquis’ family. Without a proper title, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to visit the palace. So, I didn’t go.”
She stood a bit away from Rebecca and nodded respectfully. “Thank you for your care over this past year.
Indeed, Rebecca had treated her well before their falling out. But now, Sophie could see clearly that what she thought was kindness had been paid for with her own heart and soul.
Blake walked up to her, his eyes filled with a complex light and a hint of anger. “Since I told you about the king’s edict to marry Freya, you’ve been planning to divorce me, haven’t you?” “That’s right.”
“I don’t understand. You’re the legal wife, and she’s just a concubine. Why couldn’t you accept it? Why did you insist on a divorce?”
“A concubine?” Sophie chuckled. “That wasn’t how you described her to me initially. Do you remember your exact words? About how there would be no distinction between ranks for the two of us? You told me to treat her as an equal and not to provoke her. Do you remember?”
“I…..” Blake was speechless for a moment.
After a while, he asked, “Just because of that? Am I not worth anything to you anymore?”
Sophie’s tone was resolute, “No. Since you broke your promise and pursued Freya based on your military achievements, you’ve been worthless in my eyes.
“Do you remember when both you and Freya accused me of using dirty tricks and playing mind games? She said she was above such things. In truth, I despise them even more. I couldn’t even be bothered to tell you how much I despised them.”
With that, she turned and knelt before Theodore. The old man had been shedding tears non-
stop. Sophie bowed low for a long time. When she lifted her head, her eyes were red with tear
“I’m sorry to have worried you, Granduncle Theodore. Once I’ve settled back home, I’ll come to visit you!”
“Alright!” Theodore replied as he wiped tears from his eyes.
Though he couldn’t see the young girl before him clearly, he could feel her spirited determination and was deeply relieved.
“Let’s not linger here any longer. You might pick up some bad luck. I’m leaving now; you should also depart soon,” Theodore added.
“I will, Granduncle Theodore,” Sophie replied respectfully.