The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 70: Heavy Loss

Sarah spoke softly, “I fear Isolde from the Duke’s estate is not someone to be trifled with. Milton has failed against her multiple times, and now Doug is involved. What exactly is the connection between Doug and Isolde? Why is he so protective of her?”

Margaret’s eyes narrowed with veiled distaste. “I’ve heard Isolde was sent to Windermount when she was young. Doug, somehow, ended up there and took her as his disciple.”

Sarali’s eyes widened in shock. “With that kind of father-daughter relationship, it’s definitely easy to handle.”

Margaret sneered, “That much… I can’t stand him. I don’t understand why the Queen Mother relies on him so much.”

Sarah cast a quick glance at Margaret and quietly said, “Pablo and Doug both once pursued Prunella. After Prunella’s death, Doug took her daughter as a disciple, so it seems he’s quite the loyal type.”

“A loyal type? He’s just a eunuch, a shameless man,” Margaret spat. When Sarah mentioned that Pablo had pursued Prunella, it was like a thorn embedded deep within her, one that had been there for years and caused her pain.

Sarah, noticing Margaret’s change in mood, gently said, “Come, let’s have dinner. William is probably still at Montgomery Chamber. He didn’t stay there overnight last night; perhaps he’s just a little anxious.”

Margaret replied coldly, “I didn’t let William go last night for two reasons. One, for Eleanor’s health—she only just miscarried a few days ago. Young men have no sense. If she hurts herself now, it’ll be hard to have children in the future. If she doesn’t bear children, what use is she to me? Second, I want her to understand that simply entering this family doesn’t mean much. Perhaps, it would be better for her to never enter at all.”

She paused and then added, “Tell him to come back, but don’t let him stay at Montgomery Chamber tonight.”

Sarah nodded, then left.

As Sarah made her way to Montgomery Chamber, she hadn’t reached the door when a small black cat darted out from nowhere and leaped directly into her arms. Startled, Sarah stepped back and stumbled, falling to the ground.

Moriah, hearing the commotion, quickly rushed outside, and seeing Sarah on the floor with blood coming from the back of her head, she immediately helped her up, concerned, “What happened? Is it serious?”

Sarah, older and frail, had hurt her back in the fall. She couldn’t stand from the pain.

Moriah sighed, put down the lantern, and said, “We need to get a doctor. You can’t walk like this; there’s no servant in Montgomery Chamber. I’ll carry you.”

Without waiting for a response, she bent down and lifted Sarah onto her back. Despite being fifty years old, Moriah was still strong enough to carry Sarah, though her steps were shaky as she made her way to Sarah’s room.

Once inside, Moriah quickly searched through the drawers, finding some medicinal oil to rub on her back. She also lit some mugwort sticks for moxibustion. “Injuries like this can be serious. If it doesn’t get better tomorrow, we’ll need a doctor,” she said as she worked.

Sarah, feeling the pain, forgot about her earlier thoughts. She appreciated Moriah’s kindness, thinking that while Eleanor might be reckless, at least the people around her seemed genuinely warm-hearted.

In the middle of the night, a servant hurriedly knocked on Margaret’s door.

The maid who had been on watch opened the door and scolded, “What’s the matter? Didn’t you know Margaret was sleeping? If it’s not urgent, tighten up your skin!”

The servant quickly replied, “Eleanor is in trouble; William is scared.”

Margaret, who had been lightly sleeping, woke up at the sound of the knock. She quickly dressed and stepped out. “What happened?” she asked coldly.

The servant was one of Margaret’s people sent to Montgomery Chamber to handle some housekeeping tasks. He replied, “Eleanor has bled heavily, and she’s been complaining of stomach pain.”

Margaret asked sharply, “Is William with her?”

“Yes.”

Margaret frowned. “Didn’t I tell him to come back? Where’s Sarah?”

“Sarah fell and injured herself. She’s resting in her room now.”

“Why didn’t anyone report this sooner?” Margaret snapped. “Go fetch a doctor right away. I’ll deal with you later.”

Margaret then began to head toward Montgomery Chamber. The room was in chaos when she arrived. Eleanor had passed out from the pain, and Moriah was trying unsuccessfully to revive her with medicinal oil, while the maids stood around nervously. William, in a state of panic, stood at the side, trembling, wearing only a robe over his bare chest.

Seeing Eleanor like this had drained him of all color, and he was visibly shaking with fear.

Margaret took one look at the bloodstained sheets, turned to William, and said, “Get dressed and leave. I’ll take care of this.”

“Right, right,” William eagerly agreed, his voice shaking. He grabbed his clothes and hurried out, with a servant hastily supporting him.

Margaret took a deep breath; the scent of perfume filled her nose. Her face paled as the situation sank in.

Moriah stood up, bowing respectfully, and then said, “I warned William, but he insisted on…”

Margaret suddenly slapped her across the face.

Moriah froze, staring at Margaret; her eyes filled with confusion and fear.

Margaret coldly said, “Eleanor is reckless, but do you have no sense either? What’s that smell in here? Don’t just stand there, clear it out! If anything happens to her, I’ll make sure you pay for it.”

Moriah was horrified. She hadn’t expected Margaret to catch on so quickly just by smelling the air.

She fell to her knees, apologizing. “It’s my fault. I just wanted to reconcile William and Eleanor. I made a mistake. Please, punish me.”

Margaret’s gaze was icy. “Don’t rush to apologize. If anything happens to Eleanor, you’ll have to explain it to Milton.”

She didn’t approach Eleanor. Instead, she raised her eyebrows in disdain and turned away, the smell of blood still thick in the air.

Eleanor slowly regained consciousness and saw Margaret’s sharp, cold gaze. She trembled and cried out, “Margaret…”

Margaret replied indifferently, “Rest well. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have your mother come to see you.”

Eleanor, frantic, looked up at her. “I didn’t know it would be like this! Where’s William?”

“I told him to leave. Rest now; the doctor will come soon,” Margaret said, dismissing the others with a wave as she left.

Eleanor, on the verge of tears, cried out, “You have to believe me; it’s not what you think.”

Margaret stood with her back straight, her neck long and elegant, a figure of nobility against Eleanor’s pitiful state, a stark contrast between the two.