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The Royal Citadel personnel arrived quickly. Gregory briefed them and conferred with Michael. It was decided that the bodies of the assassins would be taken back to the Royal Citadel.
Since the matter was now in the hands of the authorities, statements were crucial. The information revealed to Michael earlier would need to be reiterated to the Royal Citadel personnel. To avoid having to answer more questions, Freya pretended to have fainted from her injuries and was carried back to her room.
Everyone was busy dealing with the aftermath.
After handling all the inquiries, Blake finally collapsed from exhaustion. Viola instructed that he be taken to the bed in Grace Mansion to rest.
Charlotte usually preferred not to get involved in the affairs of the main house. However, when she heard Sophie had been the one to save them tonight, she went straight to Rebecca and demanded sharply, “How did you treat her in the past? Today, she saved the entire Jaffe family. Do you feel any shame? Will you still speak ill of her in the future?”
For the first time, Rebecca was at a loss for words in front of her sister-in-law. She was still in shock after the danger she faced tonight, which had nearly taken what was left of her life.
Yet, Rebecca was naturally strong and stubborn. After several changes in her expression, she finally managed to say, “How would she know that Valor Estate was under attack? Did she send the assassins herself? The authorities haven’t investigated clearly yet, so why are you jumping to conclusions?”
Charlotte was dumbfounded. “So, you’re saying she hired the assassins to kill you, and then came to your rescue so you’d owe her your lives? Is that what you mean? After all, if our family acknowledges her help, she can use that to secure wealth and power for herself, right?”
After saying that, Charlotte left, wiping away her tears as she went. She felt deeply wronged, both for Sophie and for herself. She even considered the idea of moving out of Valor Estate.
Amelia was starting to stand on her own feet, but there were Blake’s two wives to consider. One was cruel, while the other was foolish. Neither of them was of any real use, and they had managed to tarnish the family’s reputation.
But moving out and separating from the main family now seemed impossible. The Jaffe family had sold off all its properties and shops. Charlotte’s branch of the family couldn’t afford even a house on their own. They couldn’t possibly just rent a house to live in. What about the marriages of their children?
But what was the point of separating themselves from the main family, but still living in the same estate? The main family had spent a lot of money over the years, and it was impossible to make them pay back half of it.
Jonathan seemed like a non-existent figure and was incapable of handling any matter. Benjamin was even less useful, and Bryan was a complete failure who was useless in both academics and combat.
Charlotte found herself distressed, wondering how they would continue living. It was truly a source of endless worry.
Sophie left Valor Estate and quickly returned to her residence.
Tonight, Claire had come to report that several people dressed in black were heading towards Valor Estate. Sophie immediately ordered the household soldiers to be on high net alert. She also instructed Violet to keep a close watch on Helen and Ryan. Sophie suspected it might be a diversion, so the people in Hell Monarch Estate had to be vigilant. Sophie herself took her Rose Spear and headed to Valor Estate. Given that the situation involved inevitable killings and battles, she decided to handle it personally. That way, she could better explain things to the king later and avoid implicating Violet and Travis. After all, her status as the princess consort would spare her many troubles.
Upon returning to Hell Monarch Estate, she found that everything was calm.
Violet and Travis hurried over to her and asked, “How did it go? Were there any assassins who survived?”
“There were some, but Freya killed them all,” Sophie said, putting down her Rose Spear.
She was indeed angry, but Freya’s actions only confirmed her guilt and fear.
“Was everything fine here?” Sophie asked.
“Everything is fine. Nothing happened,” Violet replied, frowning. “Freya killed all the assassins? Didn’t you need to step in?”
“I severed their tendons and drained their cores. Gregory also ordered people to bind them, but before Michael could arrive, Freya had already slit their throats,” Sophie explained. “She murdered them to silence them,” Travis said, leaning on a metal staff, deep in thought. “They weren’t from Westhaven, right?”
“They were from Starhaven,” Sophie confirmed.
There were some differences in appearance between the people of Westhaven and Starhaven. Westhaven people had slightly darker skin, with high noses and deep-set eyes.
Sophie was almost certain that
Yuvan was behind it. By killing Freya, he would leave Westhaven’s people with no outlet for their anger. That would create an opportunity for a war between the two kingdoms.
Sophie recalled she had met Edmund, Westhaven’s third prince, outside Simonton City. He was now the crown prince of Westhaven. He harbored a deep-seated hatred towards the people of Starhaven. If he ascended to the throne, the situation in Fawnrun City would become very troublesome.
Sophie felt sorry for her grandfather, who was still stationed at Victory Pass even though he was well over sixty. By his age, most military officers would have retired and be enjoying life in the capital.
Sophie understood the king’s intention to promote younger generals. But in recent years, there were hardly any who were truly capable of handling important roles.
Salvador had also stripped Rafael, who had been a feared general in both Westhaven and Sandoria, of his military authority. If he had still been in command, he could certainly have deterred potential threats.
For now, Oliver was in charge during this period of peace when there was no immediate danger. However, if conflict were to erupt again, he would be inadequate for the task.
“Rest early,” Sophie advised. “The case will likely be handed over to the Royal Citadel. They might come by tomorrow for questioning, and perhaps the king will summon me to the palace.”
Having visited Valor Estate, Sophie felt a bit unsettled and was reluctant to discuss it further. Particularly, hearing Blake claim that she still harbored feelings for him was both laughable and exasperating. She was glad Rafael had left the capital. Otherwise, he would have been furious hearing such things.
The next day dawned clear and bright. The sun had just risen, painting the sky with beautiful, colorful hues.
Sophie was dressed and ready, and was about to ask why Ryan hadn’t arrived yet when Lulu entered with breakfast.
“Ms. Spencer has taken Lord Ryan to the academy.”
“So early?”
“Ms. Spencer began her martial arts practice early in the morning. Lord Ryan mentioned he didn’t fully understand some of his lessons yesterday and wanted to head in early to consult his tutor.”
“Oh? Were the lessons so difficult on the first day?” Sophie asked as she sat down, realizing she had forgotten to ask what the tutor had covered the previous day.
“I’m not sure,” Lulu said with a smile. “But seeing Lord Ryan work so hard makes me happy.”
“He’s sensible and understands his future responsibilities,” Sophie said with a mix of relief and concern.
In this world, whether in noble families or common households, stability and success always required one’s own effort. If one relied solely on the blessings of their ancestors and parents without putting in any effort, they would end up being idle and potentially even become a wastrel.
The Duke of Northwatch’s family didn’t produce wastrels.
Their family currently held a duke title, which Ryan was set to inherit. As the only heir, he couldn’t afford to be idle.
After breakfast, the various stewards of the estate were waiting outside. Garissa received their reports in the side hall. She had instructed them to only bring forward the urgent matters, so it took about an hour to conclude the reports.
“Let’s go and pay a visit to Mother,” Sophie suggested. “The weather is so pleasant today, so let’s take a stroll in the garden with her.”
Helen was not fond of activities. She preferred to lie down when possible, sit when lying down was not an option, and only stand when she could neither lie down nor sit.
Just as Sophie was about to step out, she saw Violet supporting Kayla as they walked towards her. Kayla’s maid was carrying a gift.
Sophie turned to Lulu and said, “Go inform Mother that I have guests. I will come by and see her later.”
Lulu nodded and greeted Violet and Kayla before going to report to Helen.
Sophie stepped forward and took Kayla’s hand.