Chapter 1161
Unexpectedly, Oliver learned that Barrett had arrived at the Southern Frontier and been personally appointed as a household soldier at Redstone Manor. Redstone Manor's household soldiers were primarily responsible for Oliver's travel arrangements and safety, a crucial role given the frequent attempts by enemy assassins to target the marshal. While Oliver had faced no such threats, Hector and Rafael had experienced numerous attempts on their lives.
Oliver already knew from Evelyn that Barrett had divorced Viola. Regardless of his feelings for his sister, Barrett's actions were a personal affront and, given Oliver's position, a challenge to his authority. Consequently, he assigned Barrett to menial tasks: fetching water, chopping wood, sweeping the courtyard, and even serving food in the kitchen.
Barrett obeyed silently, humbled to the point where his dignity seemed meaningless. Within days, he had thoroughly explored Redstone Manor, recognizing its vast transformation. Beyond the exterior, everything inside had changed. The previously all-male servant staff now included numerous maids and female attendants. A lady of the house, whom Barrett saw occasionally, was visibly pregnant, perhaps five or six months along.
Given the activity at the manor, the lady always veiled her face, though her captivating eyes were visible. Barrett never inquired about her identity, but gossip flowed freely among the staff. They claimed she was Oliver's wife, and that all previous concubines and mistresses had been dismissed since her arrival. The concubines who had accompanied Oliver to the Southern Frontier had mysteriously died, the reason unknown.
Barrett overheard whispers of Oliver's extravagant devotion to this lady; he would grant her any wish, no matter how impossible. Her possessions were incredibly luxurious: silks, satins, pearls, and jewels. With the war over, various tonics were delivered, including royal jelly soup—two bowls daily. She bathed daily in goat's milk and flower petals, an extravagance beyond measure, even in the Southern Frontier.
Barrett doubted Oliver's already strained annual salary could cover such expenses. He dismissed the possibility of Oliver using military funds. However, he later heard rumors of financial support from the Earl of Silverstone's family, a wealthy and established lineage easily capable of sustaining Oliver and his wife's lavish lifestyle.
This reminded Barrett of Zoey. Having been related to the Prince family through marriage, Barrett held Zoey in high regard for her fairness and impartiality, even toward her sister-in-law, Viola. Yet, compared to this lady, Zoey paled in both appearance and possessions. The lady's flowing brocade and cloud silk alone were worth a fortune, surpassed only by the Mystic Pearl in her hairpin.
Carissa, upon marrying Rafael, had received several jars of Mystic Pearls, but none as large or exquisite as the one adorning the lady's hairpin; it could easily grace an emerald crown. Over time, Barrett learned the lady's unusual surname history: Ms. Kingsley, Ms. Cece, and now Madam Spencer, rumored to be connected to the prestigious Spencer family of Ebonflow. Therefore, she was now known as Madam Spencer.
Such gossip, of course, was never spoken within earshot of Oliver or the lady, but amongst the staff it flowed freely. One day, Barrett overheard that Oliver had received an infuriating letter from home. Later, he learned it was about the cessation of funds from the Earl of Silverstone's family.
The servants speculated that Oliver's legitimate wife, enraged by the lady's pregnancy, had cut off the funds, a judgment they readily criticized. After all, they reasoned, men often had multiple wives and concubines, and a jealous wife risked trouble or even banishment. Barrett almost defended Zoey but remained silent, aware of Zoey's true character as the ideal head of the household.