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His resilience was heart-wrenching to witness.
Even so, the acupuncture in his throat continued. Rowan insisted it couldn’t be stopped. Since they didn’t do it yesterday because of the bone-setting, it couldn’t be skipped today.
Especially since Ryan had cried out during the procedure, which had proven the treatment to be effective. So, both Sebastian and Rowan believed that the poison in Ryan’s body was being expelled faster than expected.
Additionally, the withdrawal symptoms from the Peony Bliss had not resurfaced, which greatly surprised Sebastian. He knew that even for adults who committed to quitting, the process could take over six months.
Yet, here was a seven-year-old child with such an indomitable will.
In a private conversation with Rowan, Sebastian said, “The Duke of Northwatch’s family truly has no weaklings. The spirit of this family is something to be admired.”
Rowan wholeheartedly agreed. After treating Ryan for so long, he had grown attached to the boy, almost as if he were his own son. He felt both pity and admiration for the boy, and naturally hoped Ryan would recover quickly.
During Ryan’s recovery, Sophie didn’t leave his side. Although many visitors came to call, she had Frederick turn them all away, except for her cousin Leona and her husband, Samuel.
Samuel was a strikingly handsome man with a touch of arrogance. As the heir of the Earl of Gracehold and one of the top-scoring scholars, he had every right to be proud.
Marrying a prince’s daughter only added to his accomplishments, especially since Leona was gentle and virtuous, and deeply in love with him.
At twenty-three, Samuel had already reached heights many people could only dream of achieving in a lifetime.
He had reason to be proud.
In fact, he was proud enough to look down on Sophie
His assessment of her was fair enough-she had a noble family background, was beautiful, skilled in martial arts, and had distinguished herself on the battlefield. Her traits were rare among women.
But in his eyes, noblewomen like her, who sought to remarry so soon after a divorce, were even rarer.
Samuel believed that a woman should remain loyal to one man for life. Divorce had been her first mistake, and now, remarrying was an even greater one
Though young, Samuel held very traditional views. He made no effort to hide his disdain for Sophie.
If it were just that, Sophie would have let it slide
With a smile out of consideration for Leona, Sophie wouldn’t have taken it to heart, much less expressed any dissatisfaction.
However, it seemed Samuel had no intention of hiding his discontent with Sophie.
After she mentioned Ryan’s situation to Leona, he remarked, “Lady Devin, aren’t you worried that your actions will make it difficult for Ryan to establish himself in the capital? It might be better to let the Klein family raise him.”
Sophie was momentarily stunned, thinking he was referring to the possibility of Ryan living in Hell Monarch Estate in the future. Though she didn’t appreciate him addressing her as “Lady Devin,” given her close relationship with Leona, she was willing to overlook it.
Still, out of respect for Leona, she explained, “Since His Highness rescued Ryan and is fond of him, he thought of personally raising him by his side. Ryan is happy with this arrangement as well. Moreover, I’m his biological aunt. Having him stay at Hell Monarch Estate with me isn’t exactly relying on others. How could that make it difficult for him to establish himself in the capital?”
Samuel cast her a dismissive glance, and said, “That’s not what I meant. It’s a blessing for Ryan to be educated by His Highness. What I’m referring to is your second marriage after your divorce. It tarnishes the Duke of Northwatch’s family’s reputation. Even if Ryan inherits the title in the future, his name will carry a stain. The judgmental eyes of society will diminish his standing.”
Leona twisted a handkerchief in her hands, and interjected softly, “Dear, please don’t be disrespectful to my cousin.”
Samuel replied, “If you still regard her as your cousin, then it’s only right to offer honest advice. Honest words are often unpleasant, but I wonder if Lady Devin can accept them.”
Sophie smiled. “If it’s honest advice, of course, I can accept it. But may I ask, what do you mean by the judgmental eyes of society?”
With an air of cold arrogance, Samuel replied, “The judgmental eyes of society are naturally grounded in the principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness-the mainstream values that people are expected to uphold.”
Sophie nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “So, may I ask, in which aspect of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, or trustworthiness does society find him lacking?” T “It’s because your second marriage has harmed him,” Samuel replied.
“My second marriage has nothing to do with him. My remarriage is my own affair,” Sophie responded. Her voice was calm and steady, showing none of the shame Samuel expected.
“Let me ask you this: does the law forbid a second marriage after a divorce, or is it merely a social custom? Are there not others in society who have remarried? Does benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, or trustworthiness dictate that a woman cannot marry again? And another question: if a woman is abandoned, must she then retreat to a life of solitude, living out her days in misery to satisfy society’s expectations?”
Samuel sneered, “You twist words to make them pleasing, but true virtue is rare!”
Unable to counter Sophie’s reasoning, he chose to dismiss her with contempt.
Sophie’s smile widened. “My concern is that you lack virtue, fail to study properly, are unmoved by righteousness, and can’t correct your faults.”
Samuel’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment. “How dare you! I intended to offer my goodwill, yet you insult me with the words of a sage! If this is how it’s going to be with your family, it’s better for us to just stay away!”
With that, he abruptly stood up and said, “We’re leaving!”
Leona quickly got to her feet, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked apologetically at Sophie. Her voice choked as she said, “Sophie, we’ll leave now. I’ll come back to see you in a few days.” Sophie sighed softly, almost inaudibly. “Yes, you should go.”
Leona gave a hurried curtsey and then rushed after Samuel, calling out, “Dear, wait for me!”
Lily watched them leave, and sighed. “It seems Lady Leona might not visit again.”
Sophie murmured in agreement. “I never expected Samuel to be so rigid at such a young age.”
“Some people read so much that they lose all common sense. You shouldn’t take it to heart, my lady,” Lily replied.
Sophie sipped her coffee, her brows furrowing slightly.
“Whether I care or not doesn’t really matter. But I can’t understand why Leona, a duchess in her own right, would be so submissive to Samuel without even a hint of her own will.”
Though they sometimes referred to Leona as a princess as she was a prince’s daughter, the official title she had been given was a duchess.
“She’s head over heels in love. What else could it be?” Lily said, seeing through the situation.
“Men like Lady Leona’s husband, with their bright futures and charm, are like a woman’s dream- something many long for. Lady Leona probably feels that marrying him fulfills a widely shared romantic ideal among many women, so she cherishes it all the more.”
Sophie remained silent, her delicate brows furrowing even deeper.
Could loving someone really make a person so humble?
She thought of Rafael, who was admired by many noble ladies in the capital. Dozens, if not a hundred, wanted to marry him and become the Hell Monarch’s consort.
Would he become just as arrogant and self-important after marriage?
And as for herself, she seemed to have developed feelings for him. Could she truly remain indifferent?
“Mr. Langley didn’t wait long to take two concubines after marrying Lady Leona,” Lily remarked casually.” And Lady Leona endured it.”