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Sophie listened quietly from her seat in court, but didn’t speak. As a woman, the backlash would be even stronger if she spoke on behalf of women. After all, what someone chose to do or say was often influenced by personal interests or gains.
No matter how eloquent Sophie was, she couldn’t match their verbal sparring.
So, she could only wait for Salvador to call on her.
As expected, just as Rafael and Davis were embroiled in a heated debate with the other ministers, Salvador cleared his throat lightly and turned to Sophie.
“Sophie, I would like to hear your opinion.”
Sophie appeared as if she had suddenly been called out. When everyone looked at her, she had a completely bewildered expression. But she quickly composed herself, stepping forward and nodding respectfully.
“Your Majesty, I don’t have any grand theories to share. However, from a woman’s perspective-and as someone who has once been divorced-I would like to express my thoughts. I wonder if the esteemed ministers would like to hear them?”
A wave of curiosity swept through the court. The fact that Sophie had been divorced piqued everyone’s interest, and the arguments momentarily ceased as they awaited her words.
Some who held respect for Sophie couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy-she was about to reveal her own scars.
Salvador’s gaze softened as he urged, “Go ahead.”
“A woman’s marriage signifies the beginning of a second life. We don’t need to live in luxury. We’re willing to share our fortunes and misfortunes with our husbands. Unless we’re treated as outsiders, humiliated, and mistreated by our in-laws, we would never want to leave. Whether you gentlemen acknowledge it or not, you cannot deny the fact that this world is inherently unfair to women.
“You worry that opening the embroidery workshop will provide refuge for discarded women and grant them a backup plan, and that this will lead them to act tyrannically within their marriages or even cause chaos. But have you considered that as long as they have their husbands and children by their side, they would prefer to endure hardships rather than leave? The workshop will only offer them the bare necessities-simple food and plain clothes-
which they’ll have to earn through hard work. This is merely a better option than retreating to a monastery or facing a dead end. It’s not a desirable choice.
“Who would choose such a path unless they were truly desperate? I believe your concerns are unfounded. All of you are capable men. How can you deny a desperate woman a chance at survival? Moreover, this isn’t a unique idea for Starhaven. The kingdom of Velrune has already implemented it. They even have a women’s self-defense group. With that said, how can we let ourselves fall behind?”
Sophie spoke with a tone of respect and humility, her voice soft and warm, soothing to those who listened. The gentleness of her words was disarming, leaving those who opposed the opening of the embroidery workshop momentarily at a loss for words. Some even found themselves swayed by her logic.
Sophie continued, “I’m sure everyone has heard the rumors about the circumstances surrounding the late Madam Amelia from the Jaffe family. She first attempted to drown herself, and after she was rescued, she hanged herself. This clearly showed how desperate she was to die.
“If she had even the slightest chance of survival or another way out, she wouldn’t have forsaken her children in such a manner. Her natal family lives far away, and there was no one she could turn to in the capital. Furthermore, she didn’t have any viable skills to sustain herself.
“I’m sure her parents raised her with the belief that as a married woman, she only needed to follow her husband’s lead and care for her children to live a stable life. So, she managed the household and cared for her ailing mother-in-law day and night. But in the end, we’ve all seen the tragic end she met.”
Sophie’s voice rang clear, neither too loud nor too soft, ensuring that everyone in the hall could hear her.
‘Perhaps some of you believe that Madam Amelia’s death is trivial, but what if she were your sister, daughter, or relative? Would you be able to empathize a little more? After all, everyone here has studied the teachings of the sages, and you’re all compassionate toward the elderly and the weak. Many women are divorced because of serious illness or infertility. They were innocent, to begin with.”
Sophie sighed, her expression heavy with sorrow.
“A woman’s life is still a life. Are we truly in a world that seeks to exterminate them?”
What if she were your sister, daughter, or relative?
Many people scoffed inwardly at Sophie’s words. Yet, her mention of the teachings of the sages cast a moral shackle on them. How could they argue against that? Any rebuttal would make them seem unreasonable, as if they were out to destroy women completely.
If these words had come from a man, it would have been easier to counter. But they were spoken by a woman??he only woman in the hall??t Salvador’s behest.
Sophie had expressed sentiments filled with compassion, speaking on behalf of women. Who could counter that without appearing to bully her? It would be shameful for so many officials to gang up on a lone female official, especially when it was the king who had called on her to speak.
For a moment, the grand hall fell into a heavy silence. Though some faces displayed discontent, no one dared to argue with Sophie.
Seeing this, Salvador recognized that the moment was ripe. It was time to move forward with the plan. It was necessary to remove any remaining obstacles. After all, Velrune had set a precedent. Starhaven could not afford to fall behind.
“Since there are no objections, let us try it out,” he declared. “While the court will not provide funding, the embroidery workshop must operate under government supervision. It shall not exploit or mistreat women, and all the money earned will belong to them. Should I learn that the people of Hell Monarch Estate intend to profit from these women or exploit them for personal gain, I will be the first to take action against you.”
Rafael knelt on one knee. “You are benevolent, Your Majesty. I thank you for your grace.”
Finally, they had succeeded. A smile crept onto Sophie’s lips. She hurriedly hid it by lowering her head, anxious that someone might notice her joy.
Amidst her joy, she felt a twinge of sadness. If only the embroidery workshop had been established sooner, Amelia might still be alive.
Davis raised his voice to say, “Your Majesty is wise and benevolent. I hold you in the highest regard. Women are inherently weaker. As men, it is our duty to protect them. If they find themselves at their wit’s end, should we not allow them even one path to survival? If we don’t, what difference is there between us and beasts that prey upon the helpless?”
His words carried a righteous weight, pleasing Salvador with their sentiment.
Rafael inwardly gave Davis a thumbs??p. It was clear Hannah had trained a wise husband.
Salvador gave a rare smile and announced, “Court adjourned!”
As Rafael and Sophie exited together, they exchanged a lighthearted touch of their thumbs and shared a knowing smile.
They each had their own duties??afael needed to return to the Supreme Court, while Sophie was due for her shift. They entrusted Jacob with the task of managing the official processes, and they would reconvene that evening to discuss details.
The public still harbored some resistance to the changes, so they needed to find storytellers and scholars to spread positive sentiments. The existence of the embroidery workshop would not adversely affect the common folk, as it was simply a refuge for abandoned women??nless, of course, the men were contemplating divorcing their wives.
Once most of the arrangements were in place, Rafael thought it was time to celebrate. Not a grand celebration with everyone, but a small one with just him and Sophie.
It was a rare chance he and Sophie had a day off the following day, and New Year was approaching. He planned to take her to Glimmering Tower for a nice meal, then to Richspire Peak to enjoy the scenery, He had wanted to take her there for a long time.
After hearing his plans, Sophie paused for a moment before asking, “Are you sure you want to go to Richspire Peak?”
Rafael’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Absolutely! It’s supposed to be stunning there. Thomas said if you don’t go, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Alright.” Sophie nodded.
She looked at her junior guild member, who had never spent a winter in the mountains. It was rare to see him so animated, especially after the heaviness of recent events. Perhaps a trip to a place filled with beauty would do them both some good.
The next day, the young couple set out. Rafael pretended to ask Violet if she wanted to join them,
Violet shot him a puzzled glance. He had already said last night that he was taking Sophie out for the day. He also specifically said they would be going alone and leaving everyone behind, even Dylan. Wasn’t it a bit fake to ask her now?
Even if Rafael hadn’t mentioned it, Violet wouldn’t have gone. She had her hands full dealing with the embroidery workshop, which was still under renovation It made sense for her to keep an eye on things, Besides, if her supervision wasn’t needed, she could always accompany Helen out to a coffeehouse and indulge in some shopping and dining. After all, there were lovely places like Glimmering Tower and The Golden Tower to explore.
Why venture out into the cold and face the biting mountain winds when there was so much to enjoy right here?
At Glimmering Tower, Rafael ordered a selection of dishes. They were all staple dishes and nothing extravagant, but Glimmering Tower had a knack for elevating the simplest meals to perfection. Since they would be climbing a mountain soon and the weather was chilly, he also ordered a bottle of mulled wine. The private room they were in was cozy, warmed by a charcoal fire.
Sophie let her husband take charge. Today, he made all the decisions while she simply admired how handsome he looked.
His white fox fur coat was draped over a nearby rack, Rafael was dressed in a blue brocade coat adorned with cloud and wave patterns, its narrow sleeves and high collar framing his face beautifully. His skin had lost its sun??issed hue, looking much fairer now, giving him an elegant, scholarly air. Only the sharpness of his dashing brows reminded people that he was a military general.