Chapter 275: Venting Anger +8 Pearls

Geoffrey slowly raised his head, his eyes straining to look forward but not daring to meet the King’s gaze. His lips trembled, and the first words he spoke were choked with emotion. “I… I was afraid that my only daughter would die in Zloimond. I was selfish. There was no other reason. I deserve death. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”

Before the King could respond, Harper interjected recklessly, “You’re lying! How is Isolde your only daughter? You have another son and daughter born to you by Matilda.” Speaking out of turn in front of the King was already a grave offense. After saying this, Harper quickly begged for forgiveness. “Your Majesty, I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me!”

The King’s eyes darkened with anger, but he ignored Harper for the moment and focused on Geoffrey. The King, too, found Harper’s question puzzling.

Geoffrey’s face was deathly pale. This was a family scandal, but he had no choice but to reveal it. “Your Majesty, I have two sons and a daughter. One son, Clark, is adopted from the second branch of the family. The other son and daughter… were actually born from my second wife’s affair. I was foolish and failed to discern the truth, blindly trusting Matilda’s words. I neglected and mistreated Isolde, even blaming her for her mother’s death. I harbored resentment and wrongfully punished her several times, even resorting to family discipline. I am filled with remorse and fear that I can never make amends. When I learned that Isolde was leading troops to Zloimond, I was terrified she might come to harm and followed her there. I have betrayed Your Majesty’s trust and deserve death…”

Geoffrey broke down in tears, unable to continue, and prostrated himself in guilt. His remorse was palpable and moved those who heard it.

The King had initially intended to go through the motions of questioning and punishing Geoffrey lightly. However, seeing Geoffrey in such a state and hearing about his family’s disgrace, though awkward and uncomfortable, softened the King’s heart.

Isolde listened to these words without any change in her expression, though her eyes betrayed a mix of emotions. She kowtowed and said, “I beg Your Majesty for mercy!”

The King glanced at her, then back at Geoffrey, and said, “Enough. Considering your love for your daughter and your desire to make amends, and given that Isolde has accompanied you to plead for leniency, I will show mercy. While the death penalty is waived, you cannot escape punishment. For abandoning your post and deceiving the throne, once you recover from your injuries, report to the North Camp to receive your punishment.”

Geoffrey could hardly believe that the King would show such leniency, even leaving his official position and title intact. In his daze, he forgot to thank the King. It was Kolton who reminded him, “Why aren’t you thanking His Majesty for his mercy?”

Geoffrey quickly kowtowed. “Your guilty subject thanks Your Majesty for your great mercy!” Isolde also kowtowed in gratitude.

Harlan was stunned. He had thought that entering the palace today would be a life-or-death situation. There had been no danger at all.

The King, having announced his decision, dismissed them. Harian hurriedly helped Geoffrey to his feet, removed the thorny branches from his back, and draped his outer robe over Geoffrey’s shoulder. The King turned and entered his study, his voice cold. “Harper, come inside!”

Isolde quickly backed away. She knew Harper—Margaret’s brother. It seemed the King was furious with him.

Doug and Kolton accompanied them as they left the palace. Geoffrey was too weak to walk, so Harlan carried him on his back. Kolton said with lingering fear, “Geoffrey, it’s a good thing you came to the palace to confess. Do you know that Harper just accused you of colluding with the rebel king? If you hadn’t come, you might have been charged with treason.”

Hearing this, Harlan broke out in a cold sweat and turned to look at Isolde. “Lady Isolde, I shouldn’t have doubted you or spoken harshly to you.”

Isolde smiled faintly. “It’s fine.”

As they exited the courtyard of the royal study, they saw Oliver waiting outside. Isolde was a little surprised to see him. “Why are you here?”

Oliver approached. “I came to visit the Queen Mother and didn’t expect to run into you all. Is everything settled?” The King showed mercy. Once Geoffrey’s injuries heal, he’ll only need to receive a punishment, Isolde said, looking at him. She knew he had come because he was worried and would have sought the Queen Mother’s help if things had gone badly.

“That’s good,” Oliver said, seemingly indifferent. He walked over to Harlan. “Let me take him.”

Harlan hesitated. “How could we trouble you?”

Without a word, Oliver reached out and took Geoffrey’s hand, then bent down to carry him on his back. Harlan had no choice but to let him. Geoffrey seemed uncomfortable but couldn’t refuse. He whispered, “Thank you.”

Isolde watched as Oliver carried Geoffrey away, his steps steady. Tears welled up in her eyes for no apparent reason. She took a deep breath and asked Doug, “Doug, did Harper really accuse my father? How did he know? And why is the King so angry with him?”

Doug smiled coldly. “The Hanson family is about to face some trouble. Even Margaret will be implicated.”

Isolde looked at him in confusion. Doug explained, “Before Harper arrived, the King had already summoned me and Kolton to question us. Later, we learned that Layla had informed him. Harper then came to report the same thing. The King found out that Margaret had entered the palace earlier today. The King believes that Harper had Margaret deliver the message to Layla, who then hinted at it, and Harper followed up with the accusation to charge your father with colluding with the rebel king. The King hates any connection between the court and the inner palace. The Hanson siblings have touched a nerve, and the King is furious.”

Isolde pondered this for a moment and said, “It might not have been Harper who told Margaret.”

“Whether it was or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that they inadvertently helped your father,” Doug said.

Isolde believed it was Ashley who had informed Margaret. Harper, eager to gain merit, had rushed to the palace without knowing the full story. She wondered how the King would handle this. If the King’s anger fell on Layla, Layla would surely blame Margaret, and Ashley would end up offending her new adoptive mother.

Harlan, hearing Doug’s words, said, “Thankfully, Geoffrey listened to Lady Isolde and came to confess.” Harlan couldn’t have been more satisfied with the outcome and gave Isolde another apologetic look.

Doug smiled. “The King was already inclined to show mercy, but Harper escalated the matter to treason. Even if the King is furious with the Hanson siblings, he still needs to investigate thoroughly. No matter the outcome, Geoffrey would have been severely punished as an example. However, when Geoffrey came to confess, the King saw his pitiful state and heard him expose his family’s shame. The King isn’t heartless, and with Isolde’s achievements in Zloimond, he chose not to pursue the matter further. The King’s anger has now shifted entirely to the Hanson siblings.”

Isolde listened and grew concerned. “I hope this won’t affect Pablo.”

Kolton reassured her, “There’s no need to worry about that. Pablo’s character is upright and honorable. The King knows this and won’t associate him with the matter.”

Isolde felt relieved. “That’s good.”