Chapter 10
Arabella tightened the fists at her sides and replied humbly, “Your Majesty, the way the Marquis’s estate raises their children is no different from other prestigious families.
“If my husband wishes to take a concubine, I would naturally assist him in arranging everything, so that he has no worries. But Charles is different. He wants to elevate the woman he brings back to the status of a wife, to stand on equal footing with me.
“While I may be a woman, I still have my pride. The way he treats me–insulting and unfair–I cannot tolerate”
She paused and slowly bent down. Then she added. “This is not out of jealousy, but out of a desire to protect the dignity of a wife. Your Majesty, please understand.”
The words “protecting the dignity of a wife struck a deep chord with the Empress Dowager. After all, she had fought with Tameka for half her life, not just for power, but to preserve the honor of being the empress the first wife.
She thought. This girl is clever, she knows how to strike at the heart. It’s a pity she’s Olivia’s niece; that means we’ll never be on the same
side
Her fa
“What if I insist on elevating that Helena? Her father died for the country, and it’s only fair that she be granted the status of a wife, the Empress Dowager asked sharply.
Arabella furrowed her brow slightly. She wasn’t sure if the Empress Dowager was testing her or issuing a warning. After a brief pause, she straightened and replied seriously, “Your Majesty’s command is not something I could defy.
“However, if you do wish to make Helena his wife, I can only ask that, out of respect for the Marquis’s estate, you allow me and Mr. Farrow to part ways.
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes and asked coldly. “Arabella, are you threatening me?”
“I would never dare. Your Majesty. I only ask that you understand the helplessness and sorrow of a wife trying to protect the last shred of her dignity.”
Her words seemed to trigger painful memories for the Empress Dowager, reminders of her own difficult past.
The Empress Dowager let out a cold laugh, then said sharply, “Arabella, you’ve offended me. Return to your estate and copy Bible one hundred times.
Arabella, hearing this, gave a faint smile, one that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
She had won. The Empress Dowager didn’t want a concubine to surpass the wife. It seemed that the late king’s indulgence of concubines at the expense of the empress had left a permanent mark on her heart. Helena’s plans had fallen through.
Yes, Your Majesty,” Arabella said.
The Empress Dowager’s order to have her copy Bible was nothing more than a way to save face. Arabella was not foolish enough to argue
Just as she stood up, the Empress Dowager spoke again. For the sake of your reputation, you must not be too harsh on that Helena Making her a bedchamber maid would be too humiliating. Let Charles take her as a concubine instead
Arabella answered, “Yes, Your Majesty.
She didn’t want to cause more trouble. Helena’s father had served the country loyally, and reducing Helena to the status of a bedchamber maid might invite public outrage.
Before the divorce, she didn’t want to stir up any more gossip. Once she left the Duke’s estate, Charles could revere Helena as if she were a goddess.
The Empress Dowager seemed to have guessed her thoughts but said nothing, her gaze darkening as she watched Arabella leave
Tm tired. You may go now, the Empress Dowager said.
“Yes”
After Arabella exited, Lydia smiled and said, “I thought you were going to elevate Helena, make her equal to Arabella, and strike a hard blow to the Marquis’s estate,
The Empress Dowager rubbed her swollen brow and sneered, “If I truly did that, I wouldn’t get revenge on the Marquis’s estate. Instead, I’d help them produce another imperial consort, maybe even an empress.”
Lydia’s smile faded, and she lowered her voice to ask, “Does this mean the king has entertained thoughts he shouldn’t have and wants
The Empress Dowager sneered coldly. “He’s dreaming! As long as I’m alive. I won’t let him tarnish our reputation by coveting a subject’s
wife.”
ms Mrs. Farrow is considering a divorce. If she’s set free, the
Lydia glanced nervously out of the palace, worry evident in her voice. “It seems king might act in a way that defies all decency”
The Empress Dowager’s grip tightened on the jewels in her hand.
She knew her son’s temperament all too well, and that was exactly why she had given up on using Helena to take revenge on the Everhart family.
If she made Helena the official wife, it would force the Everhart family to seek a divorce–and they’d have every right to. If that happened, the consequences would be disastrous.
We’ll do whatever it takes to prevent her from divorcing Charles. We’ll trap her in the back halls of the Duke’s estate for the rest of her dife
She didn’t believe Tristan would be foolish enough to barge into a subject’s household and forcibly take their wife.
After leaving Mercy Palace. Arabella was escorted out of the palace by a young official.
She had hoped to visit Olivia, but the palace had strict rules, and without permission, she couldn’t roam freely. Besides, after the Empress Dowager’s punishment, it wasn’t the best time to attract attention, so she suppressed the urge to slip away.
“May I ask you something?” she inquired.
The official grinned and replied, “Of course, Mrs. Farrow. Whatever you need, just ask. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Arabella thought it would be harmless to ask about Olivia’s well–being. Even if the official later reported it to the Empress Dowager, it wouldn’t cause any trouble.
I haven’t seen Olivia in three years. Can you tell me if she’s well?
The official opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted when a palace maid suddenly rounded the corner and collided with Arabella.
They stumbled, and Arabella felt a piece of paper pressed into her hand.
“I’m so sorry. Your Ladyship! I didn’t mean to bump into your the maid said, bowing in apology.
Arabella quickly hid the paper in her sleeve and gently reassured her, “It’s fine. Just be more careful next time.”
The official paid little attention, continuing to lead her forward while briefly updating her on Olivia’s situation. For now, Olivia was doing well.
Once outside the palace gates and in the official heading to the Duke’s estate, Arabella immediately pulled out the paper.
[My dear Arabella, don’t worry about me. I’m well.
I heard of Charles’s actions, and my heart aches. I wish I could leave the palace and confront him, but I’m trapped here and can do nothing to help you.
Listen to me: if Charles wrongs you, divorce him and return home. Don’t waste your life in that miserable situation.
Also, you need to make a decision soon–whether to support the second or third branch of the family.
Though they’re your father’s younger brothers, they are still blood relatives of the Marquis’s estate. Family ties run deep, and they will become your support in the future.]
As Arabella read, she tightened her grip on the paper.
Indeed, while Alexander had no sons but her, the Marquis’s estate wasn’t without heirs. Her second and third uncles, born of Alexander’s
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Chapter 10
concubines, still had thriving branches. The only one truly fallen from grace was the first branch.
Olivia’s suggestion to petition the court to appoint her uncle as the new Marquis was clearly meant for her benefit, but Arabella couldn’t help feeling unsettled.
Appointing a new Marquis meant that Alexander would be gone for good. His time would be over, and she wasn’t ready to let go of that.
Moreover, her two uncles were hardly remarkable. She wondered, Could they really shoulder the burden of Marquis’s estate’s legacy? If they could, why hadn’t father named one of them heir before his death, rather than leaving the decision to me?”
“My lady, we’ve arrived at the Duke’s estate, Clarissa’s voice called from outside, snapping Arabella out of her thoughts.
She tucked the paper away, lifted the curtain, and stepped out..
As soon as they crossed the threshold of the Duke’s estate, they were invited to Chamber of Roses.
Seraphina saw Arabella enter, her mood clearly somber, and sneered. “Now that the Empress Dowager is backing Helena, you can’t act so arrogantly anymore. can you?”
Chapter 11
