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Just looking at the list put her in a melancholy mood. Her mother had given her such a substantial dowry, fearing she would suffer hardships in her husband’s home.
“My lady, where can we go? Are we returning to Northwatch Estate? Or should we go back to Meadow Ridge?” Lulu asked, looking distressed.
Images of the bloodstained estate and the tragic deaths of her family members flashed through Sophie’s mind, causing a sudden pang of pain in her heart.
“Anywhere is better than staying here.”
“If you leave, you’ll be giving them exactly what they want.”
“So be it. If I stay, I’ll spend my whole life suffering as I watch those two be affectionate. Lulu, I must live well to give my parents and brothers peace in the afterlife,” Sophie replied calmly. “My lady!” Lulu wept bitterly.
She had been born and raised in Northwatch Estate. The massacre had claimed the lives of everyone, including her own family. The images still haunted her, and returning there seemed unthinkable. “Is there no other way?” Lulu asked desperately.
Sophie’s eyes grew cold. “There is. I could confront the king and use my family’s achievements to force him to reverse his edict. If he refuses, I’ll kill myself in protest.”
Lulu was terrified and immediately protested, “My lady, you can’t!”
Sophie’s expression softened, and a sly smile appeared on her face. “Do you think I’m that foolish? If I manage to reach the king, I’ll only request an edict for an amicable divorce.” Blake was able to marry Freya because of a royal edict. So, Sophie should also be issued an official edict to leave. She shouldn’t have to sneak away like she was being cast out.
The wealth from Northwatch Estate was more than enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life. She wouldn’t degrade herself unnecessarily.
Just then, someone called from outside, “Madam Sophie, the matriarch has requested your presence!”
“It’s Jade, Madam Rebecca’s maid. It seems like Madam Rebecca wants to try and persuade you,” Lulu whispered.
Sophie straightened up, her expression serious. “Then, let’s go.”
The evening sun glowed like blood, and the autumn wind was chilly. The late king had bestowed the Jaffe family’s current residence, Valor Estate, upon Blake’s grandfather. Though once prestigious, it had fallen into decline.
Most of the Jaffe family’s men were warriors who fought on battlefields. Only a few were civil servants who worked in the palace. Blake’s father, Jonathan, didn’t fare well in his official career. His second uncle, Gregory, only held a minor post in the Royal Citadel.
Blake and his eldest brother, Benjamin, were somewhat successful in the military. But before their recent victory, they were only fourth-ranked majors.
Both families still lived together in Valor Estate. Splitting the family would only hasten their decline.
Accompanied by Lulu, Sophie arrived at Rebecca’s room. Rebecca’s complexion looked a bit better, and she was sitting up in bed. She smiled warmly when she saw Sophie.
“You’re here.”
Benjamin and his wife, Amelia Morgan, were also in the room. Blake’s sister, Serena, and the other children of the concubines were present as well. Blake’s second aunt, Charlotte Lewis, was also seated nearby. However, her expression was cold and somewhat disdainful.
“Hello, Mother. Aunt Charlotte, Benjamin, Amelia,” Sophie greeted them politely.
“Sophie, come here.” Rebecca gestured for her daughter-in-law to sit by her bedside.
The older woman held Sophie’s hand affectionately and happily said, “Now that Blake is back, you have someone to rely on. This year has been so hard on you, especially with what happened to your family. You’re the only one left of the marquis’ family. Fortunately, all of that is behind you now.”
Rebecca was shrewd. She made it clear that Sophie would need to depend on the Jaffe family in the future, since her family was gone.
Sophie pulled her hand away and calmly said, “Mother, I heard you met General Ernst today.”
Rebecca hadn’t expected Sophie to be so straightforward. Her smile froze for a moment before she replied, “Yes, I did. She’s rather rough around the edges and doesn’t compare to you in terms of looks.” Sophie gazed at her mother-in-law steadily. “So, are you saying you don’t like her?”
Rebecca forced a smile. “How can I decide that after meeting her only once? But since the king has arranged the marriage, it’s a done deal. In the future, she and Blake will earn military merits together, while you manage the household and enjoy the benefits of their hard work. Isn’t that nice?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Sophie replied with a smile. “But it’s quite unfair to make General Ernst a concubine.”
Rebecca laughed. “You silly child, how could she be a concubine? The king’s edict makes her Blake’s legal wife. Also, she’s a military officer who holds an official rank. Officials can’t be concubines. She’ll be a legal wife like you. There won’t be any distinction between ranks for the two of you.”
“No distinction? Is there such a custom in our kingdom?” Sophie asked.
Rebecca’s expression grew a bit colder. “Sophie, you’ve always been sensible. Now that you’ve married into our family, you should prioritize us. According to the Defense Minister, Freya’s contributions in this battle were greater than Blake’s. With you managing the household, they’ll be able to work together as husband and wife and focus on their military service. In the future, they’ll surely become famous generals like his grandfather.”
Sophie’s tone remained chilly as she said, “If they’re husband and wife, then I have no role here.”
“How can you say that? Aren’t you still in charge of the household?” countered Rebecca, displeased.
“I only managed the household because Amelia was unwell. Now that she has recovered, she should resume her duties. I’ll go over the accounts tomorrow and hand everything back to her,” Sophie replied. Amelia quickly interjected, “I’m still not fully recovered. Besides, everyone is satisfied with how you’ve been managing things. You should continue doing it.”
Sophie smiled mockingly. Everyone was satisfied because she had spent her own money to support them. Most of it went towards Rebecca’s medical expenses.
Sebastian Dalton was a renowned physician, and his medicine was costly. Only a few could afford his services. Rebecca’s medicine cost over a hundred coins a month, amounting to more than a thousand coins a year.
As for the other household expenses, Sophie occasionally subsidized them. For example, she would sometimes use fabrics and silks from her family’s business to make new clothes for everyone throughout the year.
She didn’t mind it before, as she had really wished to spend her life with Blake.
However, circumstances had changed. She no longer wanted to be a fool.
Sophie stood up and said, “That’s settled, then. I’ll hand over the accounts tomorrow and won’t be involved in household matters anymore.”
“Stop right there!” Rebecca’s face darkened with anger. “Sophie, you’re being unreasonable. Men having multiple wives and concubines is normal. If you can’t accept that, people will say you’re narrow-minded and jealous.”
Sophie’s compliance over the past year had made the Jaffe family think she was easy to manipulate. They believed a few harsh words would always keep her in line.
Sophie’s expression was calm, a stark contrast to her usual docility. “People can say whatever they want. I’m not concerned about their opinions.”
Rebecca was so angry that she struggled to breathe and coughed harshly for a long while. In the past, Sophie would have rushed to help her. She would pat the older woman’s back and try to soothe her. But now, Sophie remained where she was. The soft evening light from the doorway highlighted her delicate, almost ethereal beauty.
“Sophie, look how badly you’ve upset Mom,” Serena said as she stepped forward.
Her round, youthful face puffed with anger as she glared at Sophie. “This isn’t even about you. Do you think your family is still as prestigious as it once was? Your parents and brothers are gone; you’re the only one left. Aren’t you afraid that Blake will divorce you if you keep putting on airs like you’re a young lady from a prestigious family?”
Sophie looked at her sister-in-law, who was dressed in a pale yellow outfit that Sophie had procured for her in early autumn. Now, wearing the clothes Sophie had provided, Serena dared to question her authority.
How utterly… unsensible of her.
“Take off that dress you’re wearing before you try to lecture me,” Sophie said coolly.
Serena’s cheeks flushed with anger. “I didn’t beg you to get this dress for me. You can have it back if you don’t want me to have it.”
“Fine. And don’t forget the jewelry you’re wearing. I expect it all to be returned to me.”