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At the end of the letter, he wrote a few simple words: [I miss you. So very much.]
Sophie read the letter several times, her fingers gently brushing over those final words as she whispered, “I miss you so much too.”
When they first got married, she didn’t feel much for him in terms of romance. Even during his last mission to rescue the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team members, she hadn’t missed him this deeply.
Day after day, his presence had become an inseparable part of her life. She couldn’t even recall exactly when her feelings for him had changed or what had sparked it.
It wasn’t like the grand, dramatic love stories one often heard about. It was more like a quiet stream, gently nourishing and sustaining their lives together.
And that was enough to make her feel safe and content.
Sophie couldn’t reply to Rafael’s letter, as they didn’t have a permanent place where they were staying. All she could do was tuck her longing deep in her heart, waiting until he returned to tell him everything in person.
The New Year was a lively celebration, filled with visits and gatherings. Lulu practically wanted Sophie to try on every new outfit she had, knowing she would be back in her official attire once she returned to the Capital Guard headquarters. Every morning, Lulu would sit Sophie down in front of the vanity and try out different styles, making her look stunning each time. Even the prime minister’s wife Natalie remarked how a woman didn’t need to have pale skin to look beautiful. Sophie’s skin wasn’t pale. All the time she spent outdoors had taken away the delicate fairness of a sheltered woman. Instead, her sun-kissed tone carried a warm, healthy glow that made her stand out in her own unique way.
On the eighth day of the new year, Kylie was released from her house arrest. She summoned the ladies from both inside and outside the capital to the palace for an audience.
Not long after, rumors began to spread. It was said that the daughter of a certain family had been promised marriage to a relative of the Duke of Oakspire, but due to the scandal surrounding the women’s academy, the engagement had been broken off. Thus, with the new semester approaching, many families found themselves debating whether they should send their daughters back to Gracewood Women’s Academy. Some had already made their decision, going to Catherine to withdraw their daughters from the academy.
One withdrew, then two, and soon three…
In just a few days, more than half of the students had withdrawn.
Upon hearing this, Kylie invited the ladies into the palace to give them a lengthy lecture. She told them that a woman’s reputation wasn’t everything, and that marriage wasn’t the most important thing. Instead, they should be like Sophie, independent and not reliant on men. Once Kylie said it, though, how could the noblewomen not have their doubts?
There was only one Sophie in Starhaven, and no one could imitate her. Didn’t these ladies know their own daughters? Their daughters didn’t have the skills to fight on a battlefield or lead troops. They would be scared to death just by seeing a cockroach. Without a good marriage, how would they survive in life?
Even so, there was some hesitation in everyone’s hearts. After all, Victoria had personally ordered the creation of the women’s academy. If they suddenly pulled out, would Victoria be upset?
Some of them requested an audience with Victoria, hoping to test the waters. They brought up the incident when troublemakers had broken into the academy, wanting to hear what she thought about it.
Little did they know, Victoria was furious. She said it was outrageous that something like this had happened right under the king’s nose.
She also mentioned that if anyone was worried about their daughters’ reputations, they should hold off on sending them to the academy. It would be better to wait until the academy was more established. And as for the tuition fees, they shouldn’t be stingy with it if it was for the betterment of their daughters.
With Victoria’s words, the ladies acted as if they had received a royal edict. Nearly everyone who had sent their daughters to the academy decided to withdraw them.
Catherine herself came to speak with Sophie, sighing as she relayed the news. “I had hoped the queen dowager would put a stop to this, but it seems she agrees. Now only a few families have not yet withdrawn their daughters.” The few holdouts were Courtney, Cassidy, and a few daughters of minor officials.
Sophie smiled and said, “They can withdraw, but tell them that once they’ve left, they can’t return.”
Catherine looked at her in surprise. “How can you still smile in this situation, Your Grace?”
“Why not? This is a good thing, isn’t it? Let me ask you this, Mrs. Ashford. Were the students who were here previously truly eager to learn?” Sophie said.
Catherine thought for a moment. “Some of them were, but they were rather delicate.”
Sophie shook her head. “It’s not about being delicate. The truth is, most of them weren’t really interested in learning. They were just drawn by your name and Kyle’s reputation. Or perhaps it was to please the queen dowager.
“The purpose behind our academy was to allow women from common families to have the chance to learn. Now that the daughters of noble families are no longer attending, isn’t this the perfect opportunity to open the doors to those who truly need it? I had thought it would take much longer to make this shift, but with the queen dowager’s words, it’s all coming together sooner than expected.”
Catherine suddenly realized something, and smiled brightly. “I can’t believe didn’t see that before! Of course, daughters from noble and official families have always been taught to read and write. After all, they need to know the basics of women’s virtues and rules. It’s the common folk’s daughters who are truly illiterate.”
Violet, who had been listening from the side, looked confused and asked, “But isn’t education expensive? Can ordinary families afford the tuition? Surely you won’t just waive the fees?”
Sophie laughed and replied, “I wonder if the families who withdraw will even be bold enough to ask for their tuition fees back. The queen dowager herself said there was no need to be stingy about the tuition fee. I’m sure they won’t dare to take it back, even if I offer it.”
“But how long can they afford the tuition? And the daughters of ordinary families have to help out at home to make a living. Studying doesn’t exactly bring in money,” Violet asked.
Sophie thought for a moment. “That money’s not insignificant. It should last a year or two. We can’t waive the fees entirely, but we could lower them. Maybe offer half-day classes, so the girls can still help their families with work in the afternoon.” She paused, considering the possibilities.
“And don’t forget about the merchants. They won’t be stingy with their money. The constraints of rules and propriety are less strict for them.”
Violet nodded. “That’s true. Unless they’re from a noble family or are royal merchants, ordinary merchants often let their women handle business affairs.”
“Even ordinary families might send their daughters. Partly because of Mr. Spencer’s reputation, but also because many can’t afford to send their sons to school. If their daughters can attend an academy with low tuition, it’s worth it, even if it’s just so their daughters can help teach their brothers to read and write when they return,” Catherine added.
Sophie nodded, agreeing with the point. Inwardly, though, she couldn’t help but admire Victoria for turning the situation to her advantage.
Kylie didn’t want Sophie to associate too much with the noble families. After her house arrest was lifted, she summoned the noblewomen for a meeting. The whole idea of withdrawing from the academy was her suggestion.
Did Kylie really think Victoria didn’t see through her plans?
To avoid Salvador’s criticism, Kylie pretended to advise against it after some had already withdrawn. In reality, she was only pushing others to follow suit. Kylie thought she had won, but this was exactly what Victoria and Sophie had intended all along.
In the end, it worked out. Everyone got what they wanted, and everyone was satisfied.
Still, Salvador probably won’t be too pleased. After all, it was such a good opportunity.
The news of Gracewood Women’s Academy accepting students from ordinary families eventually reached Kylie’s ears. She laughed so hard that she lost her composure.
When the laughter subsided, she turned to Lydia.
“Only Sophie would have the audacity to do something as absurd as accepting commoners. If the queen dowager hears about this, she’s bound to be disappointed in her!”
“Why wait for someone else to deliver the news? I’ll go straight to the queen dowager myself before Sophie enters the palace and spins her tale, charming Her Majesty into agreeing with her. That would ruin everything.”
After she finished speaking, her thoughts shifted.
Lydia considered the situation for a
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moment and said, “Your Majesty, I think it’s best if you refrain from intervening. You’ve done what needed to be done. If you speak now it will only seem like overstepping and might even raise His Majesty’s suspicions Kylie shook her head. “I can’t continue pretending to be blind and mute. This whole academy affair-if His Majesty suspects me, it’s only a matter of house arrest. That shows he recognizes the validity of my actions, but he has to maintain appearances for Her Majesty’s sake.”
“The house arrest was only because His Majesty had no evidence,” Lydia insisted. “If he truly had proof, who knows what might have happened? Your Majesty, I believe it’s wise to remain discreet for now.” Kylie refused to back down, giving orders for her maids to do her hair and makeup. “If I keep being too discreet, even the most scheming women will start acting boldly in front of me.”
“Lady Jeanette is no real threat. She has no powerful backing, and she’s not well-liked in the palace. She’s a nobody,” Lydia said.
“But she has His Majesty’s favor, and that’s enough,” Kylie replied, her frustration evident.
Though there hadn’t been many new concubines in recent years, there were still some that entered the palace. Even so, Salvador’s attention to Jeanette was unlike anything she had seen. “And haven’t you heard? On New Year’s Eve, Jeanette and Sophie were chatting and laughing together for an hour. I suspect Jeanette was sent to the palace by Sophie herself.”