Duchess Isabella’s father, aware of the king’s distrust, had been stationed at the border for years to avoid any direct contact with him. However, Duchess Isabella had been summoned back to the capital, making it clear she was now a hostage.
Duchess Isabella stepped forward confidently. “I’ve heard so much about Awakening Manor but never had a clue where it was. Who would have guessed it was right in a place I pass by every day? The most dangerous place is often the safest. That’s really clever!” she said with admiration.
I offered a faint smile and chose to stay silent.
“I came to the capital when I was eight, suffocating under the rules. If you have any plans, count me in!” she declared.
“Thank you,” I said.
“No need to thank me. I’m doing this for the future of all women,” she replied.
Seeing this, Princess Angela quickly spoke up. “I know there are other noble girls who are unhappy with these laws. I’ll gather them immediately.”
Before we could react, she hurried out the door.
I glanced at the sky and decided to head home to avoid raising suspicion with my family. I always slipped out through a small hole in the wall, and my parents had no idea I was gone.
When I returned through the doggy door, I was stunned to find our yard packed with people. Wendy was tied to a chair, her clothes drenched in blood, her condition uncertain.
“Wendy!” I screamed as I rushed over.
Holding my breath, I nervously checked her pulse. Thankfully, she was still breathing. “Get the family doctor! Quickly, we need the family doctor!”
“She’s had thirty lashes; she won’t survive,” my mother’s heartbroken voice said.
I looked up to see a crowd of faces in the yard, with my father at the front, my mother by my side, and my uncle, aunt, and cousin among them. The scene was a far cry from the cold, deserted house where I had once knelt in silence!
My eyes filled with tears, and the emotional weight of the past few days made me cough up a mouthful of blood.
My mother reached out to help me, but I stopped her. I glared at my father, who had been pleading for mercy in the palace just days ago. How could he be so heartless now?
I struggled to my feet, faced my father, and performed a deep bow. “Father, I’ve always looked up to you and never disobeyed you. But if you don’t get the family doctor to save Wendy today, I will make sure this family is ruined!”