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Charlotte said with a hint of frustration, “Rebecca was the one who rushed to set the date on the same day as yours. She probably wanted to show that while you could marry a prince after a divorce, her son could also marry a daughter from an earl’s family.”
Sophie understood that her former mother-in-law had always been competitive. However, such disputes seemed pointless, serving only to provide fodder for gossip.
Still, Sophie had no right to comment on their choice of date-it was their business, not hers.
Lily brought in a bowl of royal jelly soup that Charlotte was fond of, and said with a smile, “Madam Charlotte, you’re in for a treat! It’s been quite a while since we prepared this soup, and you happen to be here just as we made it today.”
Lily’s comment wasn’t entirely truthful. In fact, they had been making royal jelly soup every day to help with Ryan’s throat as part of his treatment. The Klein family had sent some, the steward of the Hell Monarch Estate had contributed a few jars, and Frederick had also bought some.
Charlotte looked at Lily with a smile.
“I’m quite a food enthusiast, and couldn’t resist coming when I heard there was something delicious. I’ve been coughing lately, and I thought a bowl of royal jelly soup would cure it. I’m sure I’ll stop coughing tonight.”
Sophie asked in concern, “You’re still coughing? The last time you came to see Ryan, I noticed you coughing too.”
“With the constant gloom and arguments all day, it’s no wonder I can’t get better,” Charlotte said, stirring the soup in her bowl with a spoon, her face showing both worry and disgust.
“Blake either doesn’t come home, or when he does, Freya argues with him and even gets physical. Blake really can endure he doesn’t retaliate or respond to her insults. Freya behaves like a shrew, and he just lets her be.”
Charlotte suddenly looked up at Sophie, and added, “If Freya comes to find you, you mustn’t see her. She’s completely lost her mind.”
Sophie shook her head. “Why would she come to find me? That’s impossible.”
“Impossible? During their arguments, she said she would come to see you.”
“Why would she want to see me?” Sophie was bewildered. “I’m no longer involved with them.”
“Who knows what she’s thinking? She must have insects crawling around in her head,” Charlotte said with a cough.
After drinking the royal jelly, she continued, “Their constant bickering has disturbed the whole household. I’ve heard her mention twice that she wants to drag Blake to see y you and clear things up.”
“What needs to be cleared up?” Sophie asked, confused. “Everything that needed to be said was said at the time of the divorce. Anything further would just be mutual insults. It’s unnecessary.”
Charlotte sneered. “So it turns out when Blake was going to divorce you, he said he wouldn’t take your dowry, but Freya demanded that he withhold part of it. Blake refused, and Freya said that if the dowry had been withheld from the beginning, life at Valor Estate wouldn’t be so hard now, and he wouldn’t have to marry a second-hand woman, making him look like someone selling himself.”
Sophie was utterly shocked. “So, the plan to withhold my dowry wasn’t just Rebecca’s idea? Freya was involved as well?”
“Rebecca’s wishes weren’t conveyed by Blake. From their arguments, Blake misunderstood her intentions. She wanted to withhold the dowry, but Blake thought he had convinced her not to take it. It’s all quite a mess,” Charlotte said, her disdain clear. “Their shouting and bickering will surely spread. Amelia can’t control the servants’ mouths. In a few days, the whole capital will probably know.” Sophie was still trying to process the information. “So, does this mean Freya wants to come and take some of my dowry from me?”
“I don’t think that’s the case. The king granted you a divorce through an edict, so they can’t keep your dowry either way. Who knows why she wants to drag Blake to see you? With her crazy behavior, she might do anything. It’s for the best that you refuse to see her if she comes.”
After a pause, Charlotte added with frustration, “But given her current state, if you refuse to meet her, she’ll just make a fuss outside, which would be very troublesome.”
Sophie hadn’t expected Blake and Freya’s quarrel to involve her.
What concern was it to her? If it wasn’t about taking her dowry, then what was about? Were they here to demand justice?
Sophie hadn’t even demanded any from them!
As Charlotte was about to leave, Sophie asked Lily to bring her a jar of royal jelly.
Charlotte had a persistent cough that flared up in cold weather. In the past, Sophie. had frequently sent her jars of royal jelly.
Charlotte initially declined, but Sophie used Charlotte’s own words to counter, “If you refuse, it’s as if you’re rejecting my goodwill. In that case, I can’t accept your gifts either.” Saying this, she signaled Lily to return the gold bracelets.
“Oh, fine.” Charlotte quickly took the royal jelly. “I keep taking your things-I’ve lost all sense of shame.”
“You stood by me during my hardest times, and I remember that in my heart,” Sophie said, taking Charlotte’s arm and walking her to the door.
When the Duke of Northwatch’s family was annihilated, though the first branch of the Jaffe family offered condolences, it was merely in words. Only Charlotte truly stayed by Sophie’s side. Charlotte knew Sophie had trouble eating and sleeping, so she made some calming tea for Sophie. Most of the calming remedies Sebastian prescribed were ones Charlotte prepared herself.
Hearing this, Charlotte almost shed tears. She quickly wiped her nose and turned her head, saying, “I treated you as my own daughter. As long as you don’t mind this old, impoverished woman, you can call me ‘Aunt’ from now on.”
After all, calling her “aunt” seemed inappropriate after Sophie was divorced and no longer part of the Jaffe family. “How fortunate,” Sophie replied with a smile, “I just happen to need an aunt. How does Aunt Charlotte sound?”
“Sounds perfect,” Charlotte said with a smile, though it was tinged with a hint of sadness.
After Charlotte had been sent off, Sophie returned to help Lily move the items back to the dowry storage room. The clothes were folded and placed in trunks, which would later be moved. As for Ryan’s clothing, she held it carefully to deliver it to him later.
Sophie gently touched the stitching on the garments, noticing the meticulous care Charlotte had taken. The stitches were fine, and the embroidery was exquisite, without any flaws.
“Lily, sometimes when you give your heart sincerely, you do receive sincerity in return,
Sophie said wistfully.
“Of course. In this world, there are so many people. It’s unlikely that all of them are ungrateful. In fact, ungrateful people are quite rare,” Lily replied.
Lily frowned as she recalled Charlotte’s words. “If Freya dares to come, we should have someone throw her out. How dare she have the audacity to come and find you? I’ve never seen someone so shameless.”
Sophie said, “Please don’t mention this to His Highness.”
“Understood. This matter definitely cannot be spoken of. His Highness has a strong aversion to the Jaffe family,” Lily said.
Sophie clutched the clothing. “Let’s not worry about them. We need to see Ryan and have him try on the new clothes.”
“There’s no way the young lord can wear all of these new clothes. There are too many, and the Klein family has sent over quite a few as well.”
“Let him wear a new outfit every day to make up for those two years he missed out on. Everyone’s trying to make up for the tragic period in his life.”
Ryan was delighted to hear about the new clothes. Children always loved new garments.
Once dressed, the clothes fit him perfectly. The bamboo green brocade was lined with a thin layer of cotton, making it suitable for spring and autumn. However, with winter approaching, he would need something warmer, like fur or thick cotton clothing.
He stood on tiptoe and twirled around, then glanced at himself in the bronze mirror, nodding vigorously, indicating his approval.
“It looks really good, doesn’t it? Do you like it?” Sophie praised him, noting how well the color suited his skin.
After being cared for over these months, his complexion had improved, and his skin had become much fairer.
Ryan nodded, and twirled again on his tiptoes.
He then uttered two words, his voice raspy but clear, “Like…it!”