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Selma chimed in, “She’s right. That’s the infamous Lady Jessica for you. Her family dug up the truth about her past and took her back to the marquis’ estate.”
Camila’s mouth fell open slightly in surprise. If Jessica had been taken back to her noble family, why was she still here at Skye Embroidery? Leona was leaning next to Violet. She sniffled and wiped at her red-rimmed eyes. “Camila, I’m Leona. Welcome to Skye Embroidery.”
Camila didn’t know Leona’s true identity yet, since even though
Leona had arrived at the workshop, the staff hadn’t made any public announcement.
“You’re living here too?” she asked.
Leona smiled and replied, “That’s right. For now, this is my home. Let’s be friends. You worked in a dye shop-can you embroider as well?” Camila nodded; the faintest glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes.
“I can. I can do both.”
Camila settled into the third room of the Peace Wing, marking the arrival of Skye Embroidery’s first true resident.
When Violet saw Camila sitting at the embroidery frame, delicately stitching a flower, she couldn’t help but smile with quiet satisfaction.
It had been an arduous start, but it was a start nonetheless. Violet clung to the hope that, in their darkest moments, women with nowhere else to turn might think of Skye Embroidery before considering death.
–
Elsewhere, Serena had been sent back to her family after her divorce.
Viola was thoroughly displeased, refusing to let Serena set foot in their home again. However, Blake had insisted on bringing her back to Valor Estate. Furious, Viola stormed off to her own family’s home.
In her mom’s sitting room, Viola wept bitterly, lamenting Blake’s state. “He’s lost his position, he neglects his duties, and he’s nothing but a useless wreck of a man! I can’t live like this anymore!” Evelyn, weary of the many similar complaints, barely reacted. Instead, she stared blankly ahead and let Viola cry herself hoarse.
“If you can’t live like this, then divorce him,” she snapped. “But don’t think for a second you can come crawling back here afterward! Maybe try your luck at Skye Embroidery-but don’t count on them taking you in. After all, you had more than a hand in pushing Amelia to her death.”
However, Zoey had no such patience.
Viola paled at the mention of Amelia’s name, her sobs abruptly silenced. She had no courage to face her elder sister-in-law’s accusations. After sulking for two days at Silverstone Estate, she returned to Valor Estate in shame.
Meanwhile, Zoey made her way to Skye Embroidery and met Camila in person. She had heard whispers of Camila’s plight and decided to inquire directly with Violet.
“Is there any way you can help her find justice?” Zoey asked privately.
Violet’s answer was practical, if disheartening. “I’ve already sent Claire to investigate her claims. But even if we can clear her name, the dye shop she lost… I doubt it can be returned to her.”
Zoey stayed silent. She knew Violet was right. The dye shop had been Camila and her husband’s shared venture, but it was legally in her husband’s name. Women, aside from their dowries, were not allowed private property.
After leaving the workshop, Zoey reflected on her situation. She might appear to live a charmed life, but she knew better than anyone the fragile threads holding it all together. The grand estate she managed was riddled with problems beneath the surface, like fine silk infested with lice. She couldn’t afford to wait idly for disaster to strike.
Her children might still be too young for marriage, but it was high time she began laying the groundwork. Dowries and engagement gifts needed to be prepared well in advance. In families of their status, such matters weren’t left to the last minute. Suitable items had to be carefully acquired and stored away for the right time.
Zoey resolved to prepare. Her instincts told her she had little time to spare.
Whether it was the engagement gifts or dowries, Zoey knew it all had to be meticulously recorded and approved by the authorities. In the past, she had thought she had plenty of time to prepare. Now, however, urgency pressed on her.
She carefully reorganized her dowry, making sure it was securely stored. Then, she purchased several shops to add to her daughter’s future inheritance. Her mother-in-law, practical woman with a deep affection for her grandchildren, would not object. Rather, Zoey expected Evelyn to praise her for her foresight and prudence.
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Though her daughter wasn’t yet old enough for marriage, Zoey began thinking about arranging a match early. The future was too unpredictable, especially given her husband Oliver’s increasingly uncertain prospects. She had known him long enough to recognize that his career would likely never regain its former momentum.
That same evening, chaos erupted at a tavern, Drunken Blossom.
The second son of the Earl of Delmarsh caused an uproar when he attempted to set the building on fire over a dispute involving asan
Thanks to the swift actions of bystanders, the fire was couldovelis extinguished before it could spread, avoiding a devastating catastrophe.
The incident sparked outrage across the city, especially when it came to light that the young man held a position in the Garrison Unit.
Stories like the competing for the top courtesan were the talk of the town, and the people loved to gossip about it. Soon, rumors were all over the city, with everyone revealing the reckless behavior of some young troublemakers in the Garrison Unit. The Oversight Department caught wind of it and reported it, and the matter eventually made its way to the court.
While Salvador had been reluctant to act against the Garrison Unit before, the public furor left him little choice. He ordered Sophie and Max to conduct a thorough investigation and restore order.
For days, high-ranking officials knelt outside the royal study, weeping and pleading for leniency for their sons. Their tears only served to sour Salvador’s mood further. Dismissing them with a scathing rebuke, he grudgingly promised to show some mercy.
Once the court had dispersed, Salvador summoned Sophie to the study.
Sophie entered with calm determination, presenting her findings before he could even speak.
Salvador flipped through the documents, his expression growing darker with every page. At first, he had assumed the matter was simply a case of spoiled noble brats bullying merchants and causing minor trouble.
But as he read on, the full extent of their crimes came into view-arson, murder, and the abduction of young women, all in collusion with ruthless moneylenders.
“Hand them all over to the Supreme Court,” Salvador thundered, his voice cold with fury. “Let the law deal with them harshly!”
Sophie knelt, bowing her head in acknowledgment. “Yes, Your Majesty. I will see to it immediately.”
Salvador knew that the decision to crack down on the Garrison Unit was hers. He had been somewhat angry at first, but now, the evidence she had uncovered left no doubt these men were dangerous and needed to be stopped before they brought ruin to the empire. His anger softened, and he offered a few words of commendation, his tone begrudging but sincere.
Thanks to Sophie’s efforts, the Supreme Court had its hands full. She was everywhere, personally bringing meals to Rafael, making sure he was well taken care of comfortable in every way possible.
The evidence had already been collected, but the Supreme Court needed to verify it. Then, they would arrest the culprits for questioning. This was a task Rafael technically didn’t need to bother with, but each of these criminals had powerful backers. Rather than risk Sophie offending anyone, it was better for him to be the one to handle it. Let the noble families be angry with him. The one most pleased by this turn of events was Max. Lately, he had been training with renewed vigor; he was confident that once the Garrison Unit was properly purged, it would become a solid shield protecting the capital. Alas, his joy was premature.
After the Supreme Court’s thorough investigation began, petitions flooded in, with many suggesting that the Garrison Unit’s duties overlapped too much with the Capital Guard’s. They called for the disbandment of the Garrison Unit.
The claim had merit, and Sophie submitted a formal request to redefine and separate the roles of the Garrison Unit and the Capital Guard.
Salvador did not give a ruling in the court that day, but summoned Sophie to the royal study afterward.
“Yesterday, I visited the queen dowager,” he began, settling into his seat. “She asked about the women’s academy. How are you progressing with that?”
“Your Majesty, the repairs to the academy building have been completed. We’ve already acquired desks, chairs, and all the necessary supplies. We are currently looking for a teacher,” Sophie answered.
“The queen dowager takes the women’s academy seriously, so focus on that for now. As for the Garrison Unit issue, leave it for now.”
Acknowledging his command, she responded dutifully, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Sophie wasn’t surprised by his words. During the court meeting, she knew the matter was unlikely to succeed when the king didn’t approve her request. She guessed that Salvador likely really wanted to disband the Garrison Unit. Some personnel would then be reassigned to the Capital Guard, while the rest would be sent to the Nightsteel Guard or dismissed entirely.