The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

The Swordswoman'’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 378 Defying the Imperial Decree

Finished

Doug turned back, his gaze cold as steel. “You're the one delivering the decree. | am merely here to witness and

supervise.”

With that, he strode out of the hall.

“Peyton, Oliver is at North Camp today. Please send word to him immediately, Doug ordered.

“Understood.” Peyton bowed and quickly departed.

Doug left the palace and sent a messenger ahead to the Valen estate, instructing Isolde to find a place to hide

and remain out of sight for the next few days.

When the news of Arthur's accusation reached Isolde, and she learned that an imperial decree was already en

route, she understood immediately-she could not accept the decree. If she did, refusing to comply would mean

open defiance of the King’s command.

She thought for a moment before saying. “There's no point in hiding. | might avoid it today, but it will only catch

up tolater.”

“But if you don’t hide, you'll have to accept the decreel Are you really going to the grave to bow?” Easked

anxiously.

I'd rather die than submit, Isolde said icily.

She hadn’t even attended the funeral-how could she possibly kneel and pay respects to the woman who had

murdered her mother?

A debt of blood was never forgotten. To bow before her enemy’s grave? Impossible.

“Then you have to hide!” Eimmediately ordered Hattie to pack their things while Hazel prepared the horses.

Before they could act, Ashley arrived, bringing a maid along with her. She stepped inside, her gaze sweeping

over the commotion. “Isolde, are you planning a trip?”

Estepped forward and bowed. “What brings you here, Lady Ashley?”

She glanced behind Ashley, noticing that Rowena was absent.

Ashley smiled. “No need to look for Rowena. | angered her yesterday, so she returned to the palace | night. Since

I'm free from lessons today, | thought I'd visit Isolde for a chat.”

How convenient.

Eexchanged a glance with Isolde. This was no coincidence. Ashley always had a knack for appearing when

she was least wanted-like a blade in the dark, waiting to strike.

Isolde, however, had already made up her mind not to flee. She met Ashley’s gaze and said, “A guest is a guest.

Since you're here, then stay.”

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hesitated but Ahle had already cenned inside the imiled at F“h? It came

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Chapter 37 Defying the Imperial thecree

If this had escalated to the King himself, then there was no avoiding it

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Ashley’s smile widened. Since you're not going anywhere, would you mind keepingcompany for a

chat!”

“Not going anywhere doesn’t mean | want to talk to you. Sit if you like, but don’t expectto entertain you.”

With that, Isolde turned and walked away

Ashley’s amusement only grew. She settled into a chair in the side hall, idly flipping through a book as though

she had all the tin the world.

Ehurried inside and grasped Isolde’s arm. “Ashley’s sudden arrival isn’t a coincidence”

“Arthur's report to the King? I'd wager she had a hand in it,” Isolde muttered. She had spotted Arthur that day,

lingering suspiciously, Cristina had been uncharacteristically quiet the past few days. She had assumed Cristina

had simply given up, but now she saw the truth-they had been biding their time.

“That woman is a viper,” Ehissed

“I never planned on avoiding this, Isolde said steadily. “The King won't haveexecuted. Strippingof my

title! Removingas a general? So be it. I'll claw my way back through merit. But | will not kneel

“But defying an imperial decree is treason!” Ecried.

She, too, doubted the King would order Isolde’s execution over this, but imprisonment was another matter

entirely. If she was thrown into a dungeon, who knew how long it would take for the King to calm down and be

persuaded to release her?

Prison was no place for anyone, least of all Isolde.

Isolde grasped Esme’s hand firmly. “Don’t be afraid. | can endure any hardship.”

“Edoesn’t want to see you suffer. Esighed.

“Esme, if something happens to me, make sure the Sharp family doesn’t tell Grandmother. She must never

know.” Isolde’s voice caught in her throat. “I would be unfilial...

She tilted her head up, took a deep breath, and forced her tears away before continuing. Tell Oliver not to plead

for me. No one must intervene-not the Langley family, not Doug. If | am meant to survive, the Queen Mother will

find a way to pardon me. | have faith in that. No one should risk themselves for me.

Understand?”

“Are you certain?” Easked.

“Absolutely. The Queen Mother still has use for me. She won't letdie. Once the King’s anger passes, she'll

step in. If she went through the trouble of ensuring my survival before, she won't letfall now.”

Ehad served the Queen Mother for years, but even she found her difficult to predict. If Isolde was wrong...

defying the decree would mean execution.

She hesitated before finally swallowing her words

After all, how could she tell Isolde to bow before her mother’s murderer?

Chapter 378 Defying the Imperial Decree

Finished

This was, of course, her doing. She would soon enter the palace, and removing this thorn in her side before she

did was the best possible outcome.

The Imperial Decree has arrived!”

Arthur's voice rang out.

Ashley smiled to herself and quietly stepped aside, standing just out of sight.

Allan had already arrived, bringing Heidi and the household servants with him to Ningser Pavilion, where an altar

had been prepared to receive the decree.

When Allan saw that the one delivering the decree was his grandson-in-law, his brow furrowed in surprise.

Then he noticed Pablo and Doug standing there as well-both men grim-faced. Even without hearing a word. Allan

understood immediately

holde stepped forward slowly, her gaze locking onto Arthur.

Arthur wore an expression of neutrality, but the triumph in his eyes was unmistakable. “Isolde, receive the

decree.”

holde knelt but remained ulent.

Arthur ineered and unrolled the imperial edit. “By the decree of His Majesty holde, having neglected her duty of

mourning, has acted in disgrace and debed filial piety. This goes against the very foundation of my rule.

However, in light of past military contributions. I shall not pursue severe punishment. Instead, she is to kneel

before the grave and offer or hundret bows as a warning to others.”

Allan had expected the care to be far worse-perhaps an arrest or imprisonment. He nearly sighed in relief. A

hundred bows! That was nothing

Seeing Isolde still kneeling, he urged, “Why are you still kneeling Accept the decree

Isolde bowed but did not take the decree | cannot accept it. | cannot obey”

Arthur's unile turned icy holde, do you understand that defying an imperial decree is a crof great darespect

“Then | shall accept my punishment holde saf rising slowly. Her eyes were like twin blades, sharp and

unwavering “I defy the decree. Do what you must.”

Arthur's expression twisted in anger ‘So, the great Isolde thinks herself above even the King! Soldiers Seize

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Chapter 378 Defying the Imperial Decree

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Finished

This was, of course, her doing. She would soon enter the palace, and removing this thorn in her side before she

did was the best possible outcome.

The Imperial Decree has arrived!”

Arthur's voice rang out,

Ashley smiled to herself and quietly stepped aside, standing just out of sight.

Allan had already arrived, bringing Heidi and the household servants with him to Ningser Pavilion, where an altar

had been prepared to receive the decree.

When Allan saw that the one delivering the decree was his grandson-in-law, his brow furrowed in surprise.

Then he noticed Pablo and Doug standing there as well-both men grim-faced. Even without hearing a word, Allan

understood immediately.

Isolde stepped forward slowly, her gaze locking onto Arthur.

Arthur wore an expression of neutrality, but the triumph in his eyes was unmistakable. “Isolde, receive the

decree.

Isolde knelt but remained silent.

Arthur sneered and unrolled the imperial edict. “By the decree of His Majesty: Isolde, having neglected her duty

of mourning, has acted in disgrace and defied filial piety. This goes against the very foundation of my rule.

However, in light of past military contributions, | shall not pursue severe punishment. Instead, she is to kneel

before the grave and offer one hundred bows as a warning to others.”

Allan had expected the decree to be far worse-perhaps an arrest or imprisonment. He nearly sighed in relief. A

hundred bows? That was nothing.

Seeing Isolde still kneeling, he urged, “Why are you still kneeling? Accept the decree.”

Isolde bowed but did not take the decree. “I cannot accept it. | cannot obey,”

Arthur's smile turned icy. “Isolde, do you understand that defying an imperial decree is a crof great

disrespect?”

“Then | shall accept my punishment, Isolde said, rising slowly. Her eyes were like twin blades, sharp and

unwavering. “I defy the decree. Do what you must.”

Arthur's expression twisted in anger. “So, the great Isolde thinks herself above even the King! Soldiers! Seize

herl