The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 25 Forgive Me

Geoffrey drew Lord Garraway aside, his tone low and urgent. “Did Isolde truly save Lord Theodric? Could this be

sfabrication!”

Lord Garraway'’s face darkened. “What nonsense is this? Didn't she tell you? That day, Isolde was taken to Wolf

Mountain. She escaped alongside Marshal and saved my son. Isolde even slew several bandits herself -Marshal

Brackenfell witnessed it with his own eyes. Do you think such a thing could be feigned?”

Geoffrey's chest tightened. He remembered that night, before raising the family whip. Isolde had looked at him,

her sorrowful eyes pleading as she spoke: | killed the bandits. Do you believe me?

Of course he hadn't girl, slaying bandits? Impossible.

His gaze snapped to Matilda, his temper flaring despite Princess Aveline’s presence. “What about this scholar

you mentioned? Where is he?”

Matilda, still reeling from the truth, stammered in alarm at Geoffrey's anger. “I... | don’t know! It was the maid

who said so-or was it the soldier at the gate?”

Her frustration simmered. Isolde saved Lord Theodric? Thank the heavens the engagement was annulled, or

Eleanor would never have set foot in the Marquis’s household

Princess Aveline turned to Isolde, gently taking her hand. Though she pieced together enough, she refrained

from probing further. “Your injuries didn’t seem so grave that day, What happened? Are you alright?”

Isolde smiled faintly, pale and weary. “I'm fine, Your Highness. Please don’t trouble yourself.”

“How could they be so cruel?” Aveline hissed, her voice shaking as she caught sight of the whip marks-raw and

festering-on Isolde’s scalp. Glaring daggers at Geoffrey, she growled, “What sort of father allows this?”

“Disregard for the house's laws must be punished, Isolde replied quietly, her tone devoid of feeling.

Matilda stepped forward, her voice soft, coaxing. Isolde, my dear, why didn’t you say you went to save someone?

You stubborn child. If you'd explained, your father would have praised you, not punished you.”

Isolde instinctively pulled back, her gaze cutting past Matilda to rest on Geoffrey. With a faint, bitter smile, she

murmured, “Indeed. If I'd told him, how could he have brought himself to strike me?”

Geoffrey said nothing, though his heart was a storm of regret. She had told him-and he had punished her

anyway.

He remembered her tear-filled, furious eyes, the clenched fists as she demanded, “Why don’t believe me?”

you ever

The girl who had once been so fierce and defiant now stood before him, frail and lifeless, her indifference

stinging sharper than any words. The contrast unsettled him deeply.

Princess Aveline’s voice broke the silence, sharp with reproach. “Your family’s rules are not mine to question, but

she is still your daughter-your flesh and blood. A motherless child from birth, and yet you treat her so

mercilessly? Even if she’s at fault, how can you raise your hand against her like this?”

Geoffrey's unease deepened. He had seen Isolde’s tears only moments ago, and it felt as if something vital

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Chapter 25 Forgive Me

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Lord Garraway seized the moment, pulling Geoffrey into the courtyard for a quiet word. “Geoffrey,” he began,

sighing. “your late wife bore only this one daughter. How could you be so cruel?”

Geoffrey's expression hardened as he turned his thoughts to the past. “If not for Isolde’s birth, Prunella might

still be alive...”

Garraway shook his head in disbelief. When Prunella Carried Isolde, the physician warned her- childbirth might

cost her life. Yet she chose to bring the girl into this world. She loved Isolde more than life itself! Can't you see? If

Prunella could witness this now, do you think she’d rest easy?”

Geoffrey faltered, his sorrow raw. “You don’t understand. | sent her away to the estate all these years because

every t| see her, | remember how Prunella died.”

“Food” Lord Garraway’s voice was sharp, his frustration spilling over. “How can you blher for that? She's the

one who suffers most-motherless from birth, shunned by her father. And you sent her away like sshameful

burden? When my son was taken, | would have gladly traded my life for his!”

Garraway tone softened, though it was heavy with reproach. “We've been friends for decades, Geoffrey, so

forgive my bluntness-but you've been far too harsh too unfeeling toward this child.”

Geoffrey's heart quivered.

anwhile. Princess Aveline, unwilling to let the matter rest, insisted on summoning the royal physician to tend to

Isolde’s wounds. At her urging. Isolde led the group to the Pearl Tower.

You

poor child what hardship you've suffered!” Princess Aveline gasped softly as she inspected the wound

Isolde offered a faint smile. Its nothing”

But there was much bitterness and defiance hidden behind that simple word.

Princess Aveline chose not to dwell on matters of the inner household. Instead, she said gently, “If anyone

troubles you again, cto me

Isolde’s lips curled faintly. Your grace. here in the Duke's estate, the only one who can tormentis my father.

No one else would dare lay a finger on me

Princess Aveline exhaled softly, her gaze shadowed with concern. “Seeing your strength givesscomfort.

Your father... Ah. She paused, careful with he words. “He is a good man. Loyal to his duty.

Isolde’s voice turned cool “Indeed

A loyal man. A good man. But to her, he had shown noe of that goodness.

The physician arrived swiftly At the sight of Isolde’s wounds, he drew a sharp breath. “Why wasn’t this Treated

sooner? The wound is infected-pus has alrea set in

He opened his medical case, signaling for a healer to deanse the injury. Then, he carefully ground fresh

medicinal powder.

Once finished, he handed Noelle a prescripuan. “The infection is severe, and the fever high. I've prescribed a

strong dose. Liddy bolde will feel drowsy after taking it, but it’s nothing to worry about. Let her sleep-it's what

she needs most now”

Princess Aveline personally escorted the physician on

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Chapter 25 Forgive Me

murmuring a few instructions to Noelle before leaving

As she departed, she left her personal guard, Keith, to keep watch over Isolde.

That night, Geoffrey appeared unannounced at Pearl Tower.

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He calone, his shadowed figure looming in the doorway. The dim light blurred the harsh lines of his face,

casting him as something less than human-something more like a ghost.

Inside, Isolde was having her bandages changed.

Strips of bloodied gauze, thick with pus, lay discarded on the floor, a grim testament to her suffering.

Geoffrey hesitated, his gaze faltering. Is this truly the result of my hand? He hadn't realized he'd struck so hard.

And if her wounds were this severe, how did she manage to step out into the storm last night? Had I... wronged

her after all!

Noticing his arrival, Noelle paused, ready to bow.

“Don’t stop. Geoffrey said hoarsely, stepping into the room.

Noelle obeyed, carefully finishing the dressing before gathering the sullied bandages and leaving the two of

them alone.

Geoffrey sat in a chair, silent for a long while before finally speaking. “Are you feeling any better?”

Isolde’s reply was curt, cold. “I'm not dying, if that’s what you mean.”

His brow furrowed, his voice quieter than before. “Do you hate me?”

Isolde smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. “Hate? Why waste the effort? You're nothing more than a

stranger to me.”

His expression wavered. “Must you always speak so cruelly?”

Isolde’s smile deepened, sharp with bitterness. “I was born of a mother but never taught by one. Forgive me,

Your Grace, if | lack the manners you prefer.”

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The Swordswoman'’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 26 Let You Off