Chapter 144 Pablo’s Return
Isolde hugged the painting to her chest and closed her eyes, unaware that there was a pair of eyes query watching her from behind the bookshelf.
The person’s face was filled with despair, almost as if struck by a lightning bolt, speechless and frozen in place.
For a long time, Isolde slowly laid the painting on the desk, gazing at it with a mix of laughter and tears, like a fool.
She knelt before the painting, her voice trembling, “Thank you for bringing me into this world. If there is a next life, I will be your daughter again, to fulfill the filial duties I didn’t finish in this life”
“If you were still alive, I would be the happiest person in the world. No matter what hardships or storms life throws at me, I would fear nothing.”
“If you have a spirit, surely you wouldn’t want to abandon the baby that was just born. You would have stayed by my side, growing up with me, right?”
“When I was in the manor, there was always a butterfly that would stop at my vanity, Was it your
“On my eighth birthday, I fell down the hill, but I wasn’t hurt at all. Was that you protecting me?
“Before I came to Argentum, I dreamt for several nights. A voice said, Isolde, we are home, was it you?”
“Now I’m home, are you here with me?”
One question after another, softly spoken, as though she were having a conversation with the unseen.
But there was no reply.
After a long pause, Isolde stood up, staring at the painting for a while longer before reluctantly rolling it back up and placing it away.
She opened the other wooden boxes, finding elegant and luxurious jewelry that seemed to belong to her mother. She carefully packed it all away.
She opened a few more drawers, filled with everyday items–cups, handkerchiefs, accessories, purses, and
sachets…
She quietly picked up one of the sachets, slipped it into her sleeve pocket, locked the drawer, and quietly left.
Geoffrey slowly emerged from behind the bookshelf.
There was a secret room hidden behind the bookshelf. Today, with Pablo returning to the capital, the King had thrown a banquet. Geoffrey had gone home to change his clothes, and came to the secret room to find his belt, but he hadn’t expected to see Isolde enter.
He had once thought Isolde was weak, then he believed she was cold and distant. She often used her mother as a weapon to attack him, but he had never thought she could feel anything for a mother met, never interacted with. But when he saw this scene, he was stunned.
had never
Someone had once told him that a mother and daughter share an unbreakable bond, that it’s innate,
amathing hahada halind D…..
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Chapter 144 Pablo’s Return
The celebration banquet was held at Armryett Hall.
+8 Pearls
After being received at the city gate, Pablo walked with the King and Queen Mother to the imperial study, where they had been speaking for hours. The King had instructed that Pablo stay for the banquet before heading home.
The generals who returned victorious were highly respected. When there was external strife, their status was exalted.
Pablo had carned tremendous military honors, standing alongside Harrison Porter and Garrett as the elite warriors of the empire.
Garrett was the tiger, Harrison the lion, and Pablo, the leopard–silent, poised to strike without mercy. Back in the day, there had also been an eagle: Douglas.
The banquet had been prepared long in advance.
The King, known for his frugality, had never thrown lavish feasts. But today, the King was particularly joyful, so even the wine was the rare and valuable wine, a royal treasure.
Rumors were that the Queen Mother had even brought out her private collection of homemade grape wine, and all the cups for the wine were made from jade.
Geoffrey had experienced such a spectacle in the past. He had once celebrated alongside other generals after returning from war, and the grandiosity of that feast could be compared to this one. However, back then, he had been one of the main figures. Today, he was merely happy for others.
When Pablo emerged from the imperial study with the King, the court officials cheered. Still in his armor, Pablo was imposing, a little worn, but clearly triumphant.
His skin was dark from the sun, and his eyes gleamed with pride as he accepted the praises of the officials.
After everyone had congratulated him, Geoffrey stepped forward. “Congratulations, Pablo, on your victorious return.”
Pablo smiled broadly at Geoffrey. “Mr. Langley, no need for such formalities. Half of the reason I rushed back was to settle the marriage arrangements for our two children.”
Geoffrey froze. Did he not know? Had Margaret not written to him?
Geoffrey didn’t think now was the time to discuss this. He forced a smile. “You’ve worked hard.”
“What hard work?” Pablo laughed heartily. “I’m happy to be home.”
But Geoffrey wasn’t happy. He cared for Isolde, but after all, she was his daughter. The cancellation of the marriage was a slap to his face.
“Let’s talk about the marriage later,” Geoffrey said. “Today is your day of celebration. Let’s not bring up anything that could dampen the mood.”
He hoped to brush the matter aside, but his words betrayed his true feelings.
Pablo frowned. “Dampen the mood? What do you mean?”
Geoffrey hesitated to explain when suddenly someone called out, “The Queen Mother is here.”
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Fri, 14 Mar
Chapter 144 Pablo’s Return
Both Pablo and Geoffrey quickly stepped forward to greet her.
+8 Pearls
After the Prince Regent took the throne, the court went through several rounds of power shifts. In the end, the Queen Dowager, despite all the turmoil, ended up marrying Bradley. And of course, this union came after many twists and turns.
For years, the Queen Dowager had remained absent from court affairs and lived outside the palace. It wasn’t until recently that she returned. Despite her remarriage to the Prince Regent, her reputation in the court remained strong.
The King still honored her as the Queen Mother and even bestowed the title of “King Emeritus” upon Bradley.
Today, she was dressed in the formal robes of the Queen Mother, adorned with a diamond tiara. Two delicate golden winged hairpins swayed with each movement, exuding elegance without losing her feminine charm.
She looked exceptionally well–preserved, almost no more than twenty or thirty years old.
Accompanying her were Rosemary and General Graeme Greene’s wife, Elisa. It had been rumored in the past that Rosemary was a serpent demon and Elisa a fox demon. Of course, these were just rumors, spun by those who couldn’t accept the rise of two women who had once been servants, now married to prominent ministers, and both remarkably beautiful. People were quick to create fantastical tales to explain how women of such humble origins could surpass those born into nobility, especially when their beauty seemed to sway the men of power.
Everyone was eagerly wondering if Bradley would make an appearance tonight. It had been a long time since he last showed himself to the public. Today’s celebration, marking Pablo’s victorious return, was a cause for joy. After all, Pablo had once served under Bradley.
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