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However, his disappointed expression quickly transformed into a smile. His cold little. hands patted his aunt’s cheek gently. He smiled widely and shook his head vigorously, trying to show her that he didn’t mind and wasn’t upset.
Sophie took his hands, and said, “Sebastian said you will get better. The medicine you’ve been taking recently is quite strong, and has driven the toxins into the veins of your neck. Once you’ve coughed up some black blood, you’ll be able to speak again. There’s no need to rush, okay?”
Ryan nodded emphatically, though he was truly anxious. After all, the twenty-fourth day of December was the day his aunt was to marry the prince. He wanted to get better and say many, many words of blessing to his aunt!
Furthermore, there would surely be many guests on that day. He didn’t want to be laughed at for being mute. Even if people didn’t mock him openly, they might still do so in their hearts.
After enjoying the orchids for a while, they headed back just in time for Rowan to come for a bandage change.
Sophie asked, “Rowan, how is Ryan’s leg? Is it healing properly now?”
“Yes, the bone has healed well. It won’t grow crooked. Once it’s completely healed, he’ll be able to walk smoothly. Just give it a bit more time. There’s no need to rush,” Rowan replied as he applied a medicinal poultice and wrapped it with bandages. The splint was no longer necessary.
“Thank you for your hard work,” Sophie said
Rowan laughed. “Please don’t be so polite, my lady. If you’re too polite, we might feel embarrassed to charge for our services.”
Sophie chuckled softly. “That won’t do. Sebastian’s medicine is expensive, and he has come personally several times. You, too have been coming almost every other day. I would feel uncomfortable if we don’t pay for the consultation and medicine.”
After finishing the bandaging, Rowan stood up and looked at Sophie. “I was just joking. My mentor said that payment is necessary, but we only charge one silver coin. Any more is not needed. My mentor was so pleased to see Lord Ryan recovering that he hasn’t slept for three days and nights.”
Sophie, naturally, couldn’t give just one silver coin. Sebastian’s dedication and care deeply moved her.
In the evening, Rafael came to visit Ryan. His words of comfort were more effective than those of Rowan or Sophie.
Rafael’s reassurance was simple and direct: A true man must learn the way of patience and endurance.”
Upon hearing this, Ryan immediately felt at ease, accepting the treatment calmly and obediently.
Rafael spent half an hour with him, practicing writing. Ryan’s handwriting had improved significantly. The flexibility of his fingers had increased, and his progress was gratifying.
Clearly, Ryan was quite talkative. While Rafael accompanied him, he asked numerous questions, all trivial and conversational in nature.
Rafael patiently answered every question, no matter how inconsequential.
After a while, Sophie instructed the staff to prepare dinner and invited Rafael to stay for the evening meal.
Rafael now occasionally dined at Northwatch Estate. Lily had figured out his food preferences-he wasn’t particularly fond of sweets but could tolerate them, and he wasn’t keen on spicy food, though he always insisted on enduring it for Sophie’s sake.
His appetite was substantial-he could consume six plates of rice in one meal, with no particular preference for meat or vegetables. In other words, he wasn’t picky. about food.
Initially, his large appetite went unnoticed. The first time he dined at Northwatch Estate, he ate only one plate of rice and refused to take more, no matter what was said.
On the second visit, he reluctantly had half a plate more.
By the third time, he praised the flavor of the beef stew and ended up eating three plates of rice.
Now, he was up to eating six plates of rice in a meal. The entire household was speculating whether six plates was his limit, or if it was just enough to make him half- full. They wondered if he would eventually eat seven or eight plates.
It wasn’t until Dylan, who had come with Rafael, mentioned that the prince practiced martial arts for an hour in the morning and another hour in the evening. That was a total of two hours daily, and he was also with his duties at the Supreme Court. After that, everyone understood Rafael’s large appetite.
After all, who wouldn’t need to eat more after a day of such strenuous work?
Even Sophie, when practicing martial arts, could easily consume three plates in one meal.
After dinner, Sophie watched as Ryan took his medicine. The liquid was as black as ink, and Ryan swallowed it in one go under his aunt’s watchful eye.
Sophie smiled and put a candied fruit in Ryan’s mouth, saying, “You’re becoming more and more obedient, Ryan.”
Ryan settled down to sleep obediently. Sebastian had said that the best medicine was sleep-getting enough rest would allow the medicine to work at its fullest potential.
Sophie didn’t disturb him any further, and went out to chat with Rafael.
Rafael had just finished speaking with Frederick, and learned that the people from the Earl of Silverstone’s family had sent an invitation. So, he began discussing Blake’s marriage to the third daughter of the Prince family.
“The decision to find Blake a primary wife was His Majesty’s idea,” Rafael said, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
It was already dark, and the estate’s lanterns cast a glow over Rafael’s face, revealing his uncertain expression.
“Was it the king who instructed the prime minister to do so?” Sophie asked, surprised. “Why? Blake and Freya were married with His Majesty’s edict. Why now look for another wife for Blake? I remember Freya was given the status of rightful wife at the time.”
“Regardless of how she entered the Jaffe family, the edict did grant Freya the position of Blake’s rightful wife. However, His Majesty isn’t willing to let her have an easy time.”
Sophie nodded, understanding that Salvador still held onto grievances from the Victory Pass battle. He couldn’t express it openly, and it must have been uncomfortable for him.
“Why specifically choose the Prince family’s third daughter?” Sophie inquired.
“This third daughter is the widow of the late General Farell, though she has been divorced. When the prime minister provided the list, His Majesty selected her. The reason behind this is not difficult to discern Sophie was momentarily taken aback.
Rafael continued, “His Majesty is finding ways to vent the frustrations on your behalf, though that’s not his main objective. His primary goal is still to use Blake. Oliver now commands the Hell Monarch Army. While Oliver may not be exceptionally capable, he holds considerable influence within the army. This marriage alliance would benefit Blake.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “Understandably, His Majesty wants to use Blake, but there’s really no need to vent the frustrations on my behalf. If His Majesty has chosen the Prince family’s third daughter, she must marry, whether she wants to or not.
Salvador’s desire to settle the score on Sophie’s behalf by arranging for Blake to marry a woman who had been divorced after just a year seemed rather pointed.
Ironically, Sophie had also been married to Blake for only a year before their separation.
It was possible Viola might not agree to this match. But since it was the king’s edict, it left her with little choice.
The visit from Evelyn and Viola might have been an attempt to gauge what kind of person Blake was. Salvador’s actions made Sophie feel that she might be dragging
Viola into this situation.
This wasn’t settling a score for Sophie, but creating an enemy for her.
It seemed necessary for Sophie to meet Viola, at least to clear the air and prevent any hostility towards the Duke of Northwatch’s family. It didn’t matter much for Sophie’s own sake, but she wanted to avoid creating lingering resentment toward the Duke of Northwatch’s household, as Ryan would eventually take charge of it.
Rafael noticed the concern etched on her brow, and said, “The visit from the matriarch of the Earl of Silverstone’s family is probably to inquire about your divorce from Blake. This matter might have caused quite a stir outside, but they’re reasonable people. They know that rumors might not always be true. As you were personally involved, they’ll need to hear from you to get a clear understanding.”
Rafael was well-informed about the affairs of Sophie’s household. Each time he visited, he would first check in with Frederick, who would keep him updated.
Rafael was treated as if he were the lord of the household.