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Margaret spoke up again, “I’ve heard that you’re marrying Prince Rafael. This bracelet was part of the dowry your mother prepared for you. Although it comes to you late…”
Margaret looked at Sophie with a meaningful gaze. “Perhaps it’s not too late, but rather, just in time.”
Sophie stood up and performed a deep curtsy to Margaret, her eyes reddening with emotion.
“Thank you, Madam Winchester, for your generosity. Whether you wore it or not, this gift holds immense significance for me. I’m deeply grateful. Please, allow me to repay you for the bracelet’s full value.” Seeing the redness in Sophie’s eyes, Margaret understood her feelings.
A dowry item from Sophie’s late mother, which had made its way back to her just as she was about to marry-it was indeed a timely and poignant reunion.
With a sigh, Margaret felt a weight lift from her heart-a long-held matter finally resolved. She spoke softly, “Just give me one silver coin and buy the bracelet back.”
Margaret couldn’t gift the bracelet; it had to be purchased. But as for the price, that was for her to decide.
Sophie quickly protested, “That won’t do. The bracelet is worth more than that.”
“One silver coin is enough,” Margaret replied with deep meaning. “When your mother handed this bracelet to me that day, she did so with great reluctance. She could have argued with me-after all, she had ordered and paid for it.
“But out of respect for my seniority, she chose not to. She respected me, and I respected her. By accepting just one silver coin, I honor the grace and magnanimity your mother showed in letting it go.”
Margaret insisted on accepting only one silver coin. No matter how Sophie tried to persuade her otherwise, the older woman simply refused to take more. In the end, Sophie had no choice but to accept Margaret’s gesture of goodwill.
As Margaret was about to leave, she said, “I feel a connection with you, my dear. If you ever find the time, you’re welcome to visit my humble home. Or perhaps, I could come to your residence and we could have a chat.”
This was a clear indication that Margaret wished for their two families to maintain a relationship in the future.
Sophie understood that this wasn’t an attempt to curry favor. She was well aware of the traditions in the Marquis of Ironridge’s household. They had no need to ingratiate themselves with anyone. After all, they were a prestigious family with a hundred-year legacy, with many of their members holding high-ranking positions at court.
Regardless, it was always better to have more friends than enemies, especially when there was a meaningful connection like the bracelet between them.
As she personally saw Margaret out, Sophie smiled and nodded. “It would be my honor, Madam Winchester. I look forward to it.”
After bidding the older woman farewell, Sophie made her way to the part of the estate where her mother’s wing was located-Brightwell Hall. Sophie sat on the chaise lounge where her mother loved to sit and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. As soon as she closed her eyes, tears fell like rain.
Standing outside, Lulu didn’t dare to enter and disturb Sophie. Instead, Lulu quietly wiped her own tears.
Sophie carried pain in her heart, but she never spoke of it, nor did she want anyone to see it.
Both Lily and Holly knew the story behind the bracelet. During dinner, Lily sighed deeply upon seeing Sophie’s red and swollen eyes.
Lily recounted the old tale, “Back then, Madam Melanie was reluctant to part with the bracelet. But since The Golden Tower didn’t provide an explanation on the spot, and considering that the other party was Madam Winchester, your mother didn’t want to create any ill will over a single bracelet. She feared that it might lead to resentment.
“Given her status as a widow, Madam Melanie was cautious and decided to let it go.
She thought about commissioning another one from The Golden Tower, but there wasn’t enough time. Besides, Madam Winchester already had the bracelet, so your mother didn’t see the point and let the matter drop.”
Holly wiped her tears, choking up as she said, “Who would have thought that after all this time, the bracelet would find its way back into your hands? It was always meant to be part of your dowry.
“And how fitting it is that just before you’re about to marry Prince Rafael, this bracelet returns to you. Perhaps… it isn’t just a coincidence. Maybe, in some mysterious way, Madam Melanie had an attachment to this bracelet and willed it back to you from beyond.”
Sophie also began to believe that perhaps Melanie did have a lingering attachment. After all, her mother had said that her brothers would watch over her on her wedding day, with the six gems on the bracelet symbolizing her six brothers.
With this thought, she suddenly found herself feeling a small sense of anticipation about marrying Rafael.
It wasn’t that she hoped Rafael would love her-she knew his heart already belonged to someone else. Even if it didn’t, she thought it was difficult to expect a man’s love, as the effort put into such hope often far outweighed what was received in return.
Instead, she felt that her life with Rafael might indeed be as peaceful as her mother had once wished for her.
Speaking of Rafael, he had been away at Meadow Ridge for several days now. She wondered when he would return and if he would bring news from her guild.
When Sophie thought of her master, she felt a deep sense of guilt. She had been back in the capital for three to four years and hadn’t visited her master or her fellow guild apprentices even once.
When she married Blake, she hadn’t invited them to the wedding either. At the time, they had kept the ceremony low-key. Melanie didn’t want to make a big fuss, so they hadn’t invited anyone from the guild. Melanie had even said, “After Blake wins his next battle, we’ll go to Meadow Ridge together and have him pay his respects to your master.”
But that opportunity never came.
In the days that followed, Rafael still didn’t return.
Meanwhile, the scandalous gossip in the city continued unabated. Before, the rumors had targeted Sophie, but now, the focus had shifted to Jessica and even involved Eleanor
Harmony Palace had once been as impenetrable as a fortress, with no information ever leaking out. But now, the fortress had sprung a leak, and rumors about Henry’s concubines began to spread. People said that over the years, Henry had taken no fewer than twenty concubines, yet only a few of them were still alive, with most of them rarely leaving the residence.
The secrets of the powerful and influential were always the most fascinating to the common people. They loved to speculate and spin stories, filling their idle moments with the thrill of uncovering secrets. Some said that all those concubines had met their end at the hands of Eleanor, the grand princess herself, because she was notoriously jealous.
Others argued that this was impossible. If Eleanor was truly so jealous, why would she allow her husband to take concubines in the first place? After all, her consent was required for her prince consort to take any concubines ther-in-law had gone to Northwatch Estate to apologize to Sophie.
That realization made her heart bum with resentment. It seemed that as long as the old woman was alive, Jessica would never gain control of the household, nor hold any real status in her marital home. But no matter how many times Jessica harbored malicious thoughts, they were of no use. She couldn’t tamper with Margaret’s food or drink, as everyone in the household was on guard against her. As a daughter-in-law, Jessica relied on her title as the grand princess’ daughter and didn’t bother to pay her respects to Margaret, so she rarely had any opportunities to get close.
Both mother and daughter were preoccupied with their own troubles and didn’t have the energy to bother Sophie.
One day, Theodore invited Sophie over and told her that now that her marriage was settled, it was clear that Rafael wouldn’t be able to inherit the duke’s title. But the position of the Duke of Northwatch couldn’t just be left vacant.
Theodore suggested an option: they could choose a few children from within the Devin family to be fostered. After assessing their character and literary talent, they could then present a suitable heir to the court.
Sophie had considered this as well. Since Hector had been an only child, she had no uncles from his side of the family. Her grandfather, however, had two younger brothers, though they had both passed away. Their children no longer lived in the capital, and she wasn’t sure about their current character or reputation.
She shared her thoughts on these two granduncles’ descendants with Theodore, who simply waved his hand dismissively.
“I’ve already had someone look into them. They’re not suitable.”
With that, he handed some documents to Sophie.
She glanced through a few pages before closing them. These relatives were all involved in business in other regions. Not only were their ventures unimpressive, but their reputations were also questionable. Theodore then pulled out the family genealogy and had Solomon go through each potential candidate with Sophie. She listened but didn’t express any opinions. After all, she hadn’t met these children before, so it was hard for her to make a judgment.
Theodore himself hadn’t found anyone satisfactory either. Seeing that Sophie hadn’t made a decision, he recalled the exceptional sons of the Devin family, who’d had children of their own. Even at a young age, they were already outstanding. Comparing these children to them was pointless-they couldn’t measure up. A wave of anger and sorrow washed over him.
“If only those assassins had spared the children… even just one to carry on the Duke of Northwatch’s bloodline…”
“Grandpa!” Solomon quickly comforted him, fearing that the mention would cause Sophie further pain. “Don’t dwell on it too much. It’s not good for your health.”
Sophie’s thoughts drifted back to the time she returned from Meadow Ridge. She had been surrounded by her nieces and nephews, all calling her “Aunt” in their sweet voices.
Back when she first learned of her father and brothers’ deaths, she had cried herself to sleep every night. But her nieces and nephews had been so understanding and kind, willing to do anything to cheer her up.