Chapter 117: Go Apologize

Vance stormed in, his voice sharp with anger. “You told me to discipline her, and when I tried, she actually hit me! She dares lay hands on her elder—this is an utter breakdown of order! If you don’t handle this, how can anyone in this household, especially my mother, live in peace? Geoffrey, you’re a man of the court; if this word gets out, you’ll lose your position!”

Geoffrey paused, clearly taken aback. “She really hit you?”

“Don’t believe me? Ask the people outside. They all saw it happen,” Vance retorted.

In the past, Geoffrey wouldn’t have hesitated to believe Vance’s words, especially considering his own frustration with Isolde. But now, after all that had happened, he was beginning to have doubts.

After a brief silence, Geoffrey said, “Fine, you go ahead and return. Tomorrow, I’ll speak to her and get to the bottom of this.”

Vance, red-faced with anger, grabbed Geoffrey’s arm. “Come with me now to speak to Mother. Ask the people who were with me tonight if my daughter didn’t strike me first. Let’s get this resolved.”

Geoffrey stumbled from the force of Vance’s grip, and Harlan moved forward to stop him, but Geoffrey waved him off. Clearly annoyed, he said, “Alright, what do you want from me?”

Vance’s anger boiled over. “What do I want? I want you to discipline your daughter properly. If you don’t, I’ll have no choice but to take Mother back to Caelmont tomorrow. We don’t need to stay here and be humiliated.”

Geoffrey frowned. He couldn’t afford the disgrace of being seen as an unfilial son.

“Calm down,” he said, his tone softer now. “Tell me what happened tonight.”

“Let’s go speak to Mother, and I’ll tell her all about it.” Vance was relentless.

Geoffrey hesitated, knowing if he went alone, Prudence would likely side with Vance without question. “Alright, you let go of my arm, and I’ll go with you.”

But Vance didn’t release him, pulling him out of the room forcefully.

Harlan, still smelling of alcohol, muttered under his breath but knew he couldn’t stop them. With a resigned sigh, he let them go, muttering to himself about Vance’s predictable behavior.

Tonight had been full of trouble for the Duke’s estate.

Later, Geoffrey found himself back at Blesertin for the second time that evening. Prudence listened quietly to Vance’s angry recounting of what had happened at the Pearl Tower.

Her face remained impassive even as he described how Isolde had belittled them, claiming their family lived off the Duke’s charity. The more he spoke, the more Geoffrey’s unease grew.

Vance finished his tirade, still seething with anger. “Mother, once you’re better, we should go back to Caelmont. We don’t need to stay here and suffer anymore.”

Priscilla added, “Yes, Geoffrey had us return, but it feels like we’ve come back just to be treated like beggars.”

Prudence sighed, her eyes soft but weary. “I’m tired, Geoffrey. Go back now.”

Geoffrey felt a rush of guilt at her words. If she’d yelled at him, it would have been easier to bear. But her quiet resignation left him anxious and conflicted.

“Mother…” he began, but she interrupted, closing her eyes with a deep sigh. “Go, Geoffrey. We’ll talk about it later.”

Priscilla stood and gently pulled Geoffrey aside. “You should go. I’ll speak with her and try to comfort her. Don’t worry about it.”

Geoffrey gave her a grateful look. “Thank you. I’ll leave this to you.”

Priscilla lowered her gaze, speaking softly. “This situation isn’t entirely Isolde’s fault. She grew up in the manor, with no affection, no real family. It’s natural for her to harbor resentment. You shouldn’t be too harsh on her, or she may act out even more. Your mother, before coming back to Argentinum, had fallen ill. She only came back because she couldn’t leave you alone. She thought she’d be helping you. But instead, she’s faced nothing but humiliation. You know how respected she was in Argentinum. After the disgrace at the banquet, and then Doug sending a eunuch to insult her—how could she not be upset? This was her own granddaughter’s doing, yet she put up with it for your sake. If she really loses her temper, there may be no saving the relationship between you two.”

Geoffrey stood in stunned silence, listening. He had originally wanted to ignore the problem, thinking the two women would resolve their own conflict. But now, hearing Priscilla’s words, he felt the weight of his mother’s suffering.

“Thank you for your understanding,” Geoffrey said, his tone heavy with guilt. “I will give her an explanation, I promise.”

Priscilla’s eyes softened. “Of course, but remember, peace is the greatest thing. This is what your mother would want.”

Geoffrey’s expression hardened. “Peace? She may be young, but Isolde should understand the importance of filial piety.”

With those words, he turned on his heel and walked out. This time, he didn’t go to the usual places. He headed directly to the Pearl Tower.

Isolde had already gone to bed, though she wasn’t really asleep. The days had been long and exhausting. Hearing Noelle mention that Geoffrey was there, she immediately got up.

“Are you going to see the old eunuch?” Noelle asked, her voice laced with concern.

“No, let her sleep,” Isolde replied. “I’ll handle this myself.”

Noelle lit a lamp, casting a dim glow over the room. The wind from the open door made the flame flicker, but Isolde wasn’t concerned. She had already expected this confrontation.

Geoffrey sat across from her, his eyes sharp, yet there was something more subdued about him tonight. The anger had mostly dissipated. Her appearance struck him—her loose clothes, disheveled hair, her eyes that held a calm yet haunting light.

For a moment, he was taken aback. This was the only link he had left to his late wife, Prunella. And yet, this very link had caused him so much turmoil.

“Tomorrow, you will go apologize to your grandmother,” Geoffrey said quietly, his voice cold but firm, as though it were a command.

Isolde didn’t hesitate. “Not possible.”

Geoffrey’s eyes narrowed. “You must. This isn’t up for negotiation.”

Isolde shook her head. “Only those who are wrong apologize.”

Geoffrey’s voice hardened. “Even if she was wrong, as her junior, you should lower yourself and apologize. You can’t always be so defiant. Why argue with your elders over right and wrong?”