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Amelia sobbed aloud, hastily covering her mouth with her handkerchief before continuing, “Sophie, it’s true! I’m not lying to you. Mom thinks the Jaffes have changed for the better, and can now mix with the elite of the capital. She often shows dissatisfaction towards me being the eldest wife in charge but lacking the demeanor of one. She even regrets letting Benjamin marry me.
“I’m not like you. I can’t return to my parents’ home if I get divorced. They’ll criticize me and say I’m tarnishing my sisters’ and nieces’ marriages. I’d rather die than get divorced! I won’t even have a chance to enter a nunnery.”
Sophie knew a bit about Amelia’s family. Her father is a seventh-rank editor at the Privy Council. Although his official rank wasn’t high and he held no real power, scholars value etiquette and reputation greatly. If a family has a daughter who has been divorced, Amelia’s father would never be able to tolerate
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Rebecca felt that the Jaffes were different now. Despite Blake’s wedding being a joke, it wouldn’t affect his and Freya’s future. The Jaffes would only rise higher, which would benefit their eldest son Benjamin. Thus, the Jaffes needed a true and capable mistress.
Amelia clearly didn’t fit the bill. Otherwise, Rebecca wouldn’t have allowed Sophie to take charge when she initially married into the family.
Upon hearing Amelia’s words, Charlotte remained silent and pursed her lips. She knew it was the truth. Being related to such a person was the biggest stain on her life. Yet, her own branch of the family couldn’t produce any outstanding individuals.
The Valor Estate was the Jaffes’ only residence. As Charlotte’s branch of the family hadn’t moved out for years, all their money went to the public family fund. Because of that, they couldn’t even afford to buy a small house away from Valor Estate.
Therefore, she had no ability to protect anyone-not Sophie, nor Amelia.
Sophie pondered for a while, then said, “Sebastian appreciates those loyal and dutiful the most. He’s currently upset with Rebecca for being too harsh. Perhaps if Blake and Freya kneel at the physician’s office for a day or two, it might sway him.”
Amelia shook her head vigorously. “Blake and Freya would never agree! They hold official positions. Why would they kneel to a commoner?”
Sophie looked at her meaningfully.
“Then you should go. Kneel for two or three days. If you succeed, it will be your accomplishment. If not, the people of the capital will still admire how dedicated you are. Besides, no one will criticize you if you el at the physician’s office in such cold weather and feel unwell a few days later,” she suggested.
Amelia was taken aback by Sophie’s words, but she instantly understood the latter’s intention.
Sophie didn’t intend for Blake and Freya to go, but Amelia instead. If her reputation for being dutiful towards Rebecca widely known, the Jaffes couldn’t possibly accuse her of being disrespectful and negligent.
Charlotte nodded in agreement. “Amelia, you should thank Sophie. Establishing a reputation for being dutiful will elevate your status. Even prestigious families will have to address you respectfully.” After saying that, Charlotte sighed.
Sophie was dutiful to her mother-in-law, but few outside the household knew. Amelia going to the physician’s office would spread widely. Even if Sebastian didn’t come in the end, Amelia’s position would be secured.
Amelia hurriedly thanked her. “Thank you so much for your guidance, Sophie! I wouldn’t know what to do otherwise.”
Since Amelia had taken over the household and managed Blake’s marriage, everything had gone against their wishes. Amelia was criticized daily, forced to conform to strict rules. This short month felt like a lifetime.
Sophie could only help this much.
“I’ve set up a memorial hall in the estate. Over the next few months, I’ll be praying for the souls of everyone who had once lived in Northwatch Estate. I won’t be receiving guests until then. I hope you both will understand,” she said.
In other words, Sophie wished they wouldn’t come knocking no matter what happened.
Sophie didn’t go back to sleep after Charlotte and Amelia left. It was already dusk, and she would be setting off when night fell. There was no point in trying to sleep now.
She recalled Amelia’s account of Blake’s wedding, and suddenly felt an urge to laugh.
So, this was the true nature of the woman Blake liked. In the end, Freya’s true nature didn’t make him happy. Not only that, it also brought disgrace upon the Jaffe family. All the quests had walked out of the wedding banquet.
This was unprecedented.
Freya Ernst
Sophie chewed on the name, and suppressed feelings of resentment and anger surged within her like turbulent waves. If not for Freya’s desire for credit, the massacre wouldn’t have happened and the people of Northwatch Estate wouldn’t have been decimated.
Before this, Sophie had never hated Freya. Whether it was stealing her husband or belittling her, Sophie still respected the latter for her contributions to the country. After all, Freya succeeded in achieving peace between Westhaven and Starhaven.
Now, however, she hated Freya to the bone.
Sophie wasn’t sure if Dominic knew about the massacre. The king probably didn’t, as there had been no mention of it in the official reports. However, it was possible that the Ministry of Defense had records related to the incident.
This matter needed further investigation, but her journey to the Southern Frontier couldn’t wait.
In the middle of the night, Sophie put on her night travel outfit, gathered her belongings, and left while Lulu watched with concern.
The royal guards were stationed at the main gate, likely dozing off at this time. Sophie slipped out through the back gate, using her Lightfoot skill to swiftly disappear into the concealment of the dark night. The following day, she appeared at a small villa outside the city. Jumping into the courtyard, she saw a chestnut horse tied outside the main courtyard. Frederick had taken care of everything, including providing feed for the horse. Sophie approached, and fed the horse.
Caressing the horse’s forehead, she whispered softly, “Lightning, we’re setting off for the Southern Frontier. We have a long way to go, and our time is limited. I’ll be counting on you.”
Lightning nudged Sophie’s forehead with its nose, and continued eating. Sophie watched for a moment, then entered the side hall to sit for a while. Once Lightning finished eating and rested for a bit, they would set off.
She placed a Night Pearl on the table. Then, she noticed several decorated boxes nearby. She recognized them-makeup products Frederick had sent to her cousin as wedding gifts. How did they end up here?
She paused for a moment, then realized the reason. A wry smile tugged at her lips. So, even her aunt was disdainful towards her.
It made sense. Sophie had an unfortunate marriage, and it would be bad luck for her to give a bride-to-be makeup to be used in her wedding.
It seemed Sophie had been ignorant.
She moved her hand away from the boxes, unaffected by the emotions stirred. These gifts represented. her blessings for her cousin. She had fulfilled her duties as an elder cousin. That was enough.
In the dark of night, the north wind howled. A chestnut horse dashed along the road like lightning. The cloak on the figure on its back billowed in the wind, making her appear agile. With one hand holding a spear and the other the reins, the wind whistled loudly in her ears and cut across her delicate, fair skin like a knife, causing a cold, stinging sensation. Sophie’s face wasn’t originally so delicate, but it had softened over two years in the capital. Now, she couldn’t even bear the northern wind.
How pathetic.
She halted the horse midway, frustrated, and covered her face tightly with a piece of black cloth. It left only her calm obsidian-like eyes visible as she continued to drive the horse forward.
By daybreak, she had reached Daimoor County, having ridden over two hundred miles. She stopped for a rest, and let the horse rest its legs. She also bought some horse feed. It had been tough on Lightning, so she ensured the best feed for it.
Sophie ate some dry rations and drank from the leather water bag, which was now cold. Despite the chill, a few sips made her feel much more awake instantly
After a short rest, she resumed her journey. Shortly after she departed, it began to snow. Thankfully, the snowfall was light, gently covering the road like a thin layer of powdered sugar.
She hadn’t seen this beautiful land in two years, but now wasn’t the time for sightseeing. She continued to follow Lightning’s pace, and pushed forward.They rested at an inn that evening. Both Lightning and Sophie managing a good night’s sleep. Being away from home made her unusually alert. She rose before dawn, washed up, and covered her face with a black cloth before continuing on her journey.
The journey was naturally arduous, made worse by the biting cold that even the cloth couldn’t shield from, roughening her skin considerably.
The previous night at the inn, she had looked into a mirror. Her once smooth skin was now red and almost cracking. She applied camellia oil to prevent it from worsening-it wasn’t about beauty, but avoiding pain.
On the fifth morning of travel, she arrived at the Southern Frontier. The absence of supply convoys on the road along the way troubled her. It meant that the Hell Monarch thought victory was assured, and didn’t need to constantly obtain provisions.
However, there was still a fierce battle ahead.