Zoey sat beside Courtney on a stone bench in the garden. The courtyard was filled with flowers. and shrubs, but their growth was sparse. In the cold of winter, the plants appeared even more withered and desolate.
“Why did you defend your uncle… I mean, why did you speak up for General Farrell?”
Zoey gently dabbed her daughter’s face with a handkerchief, pressing lightly around the bruise. Thankfully, there was no blood and it wasn’t a deep wound. If it had been, Courtney’s face could have been scarred.
Yet, the palm print was still so clear, making Zoey’s chest tighten with worry.
She was curious as to why her daughter had chosen to stand up for Thomas. Zoey had made sure to keep the household matters hidden from the children, especially when those matters grew messy. She thought she had kept things well–guarded, but recent rumors seemed to be affecting them. She wondered how much the children knew, or thought they knew, about the situation.
Courtney lifted her swollen cheek. Her eyes, though clear and pure, showed a maturity that didn’t quite match her age.
“Mom, do you remember what Uncle Thomas gave me when he and Aunt Viola visited after their wedding?”
Zoey thought for a moment, then replied, “I remember. The maid gave you and Cedric a handful of gold coins and golden locks. They were quite generous.” novelbin
Courtney shook her head, her gaze firm. “It was Mrs. Ashford’s book of travels, Chronicles of the Mountains and Rivers. Uncle Thomas told me that in this world, few women get to leave. their birthplace, unless they marry out. However, the world beyond is vast.
“Even if we can’t see it with our own eyes, we should know about the beauty of our kingdom. We should understand how wide the sky is, and how high it stretches. That
way, we won’t be narrow–minded or caught up in petty troubles. We won’t sacrifice our own happiness just to please others.”
Zoey paused, a little taken aback. Was that so?
Back then, Zoey had been more superficial. She had been focused on what gifts Thomas had brought to the Prince family, and whether Viola was being treated well by the Farrell family. She only paid attention to those things.
“Since Uncle Thomas came back, he hasn’t caused any trouble for us or Aunt Viola. Mom, doesn’t he feel wronged or angry? How can he let those things go so easily? Those things must have hurt him. He must have been upset.
“That’s why when it comes to marriage proposals, he’s always so uninterested. His wounds still haven’t healed. Even though he’s not my uncle anymore, I still care about him. I still feel
126 BONUS:
that, as
a daughter of the Prince family, I owe hi. So, 1 can’t let Jocelyn speak ill of him.”
Zoey stared at her daughter, stunned.
In her mind, Courtney had always been reserved. She rarely voiced her opinions, and hardly ever spoke so much at once, Zoey had raised her according to the manners of a noble young lady, teaching her to keep her emotions in check ind not let others see her true feelings. Because showing emotions was like exposing a weakness, making it easy for others to take advantage of her.
In the past couple of years, Zoey actually regrette raising her daughter that way. To conceal one’s emotions and to bottle them up–it was really just a way of enduring silently, like herself. It often felt like self–sacrifice.
Now, more than ever, she wished her daughter would find her own voice, stand firm in her beliefs, and not be so restrained. She hoped she could live her life freely, without being bound by rules or others‘ expectations.
Unexpectedly, it turned out Thomas had taught Courtney that lesson a long time ago.
Zoey felt both relieved and saddened, thinking that Viola had missed out on a good man.
Courtney continued, “Ms. Young said everyone only sees his achievements and admires his charm, but few understand the depth of his heart He can do what others can’t. Mom, Ms. Young must really like him.‘
Zoey blinked, taken aback. “You’ve talked about him with Ms. Young? When was this?”
“It was back when everyone was talking about Aunt Viola and Mr. Lewis, as well as criticizing Uncle Thomas. Ms. Young would always sit alone at the end of the hallway, looking lonely and quiet. When Ms. Wardell asked her about it, Ms. Young said she felt sorry for him but couldn’t do anything to help. I overheard their conversation,” Courtney said, gripping her mom’s sleeve as she looked up at her.
Zoey drew her daughter into her arms, her breath heavy with a sigh. “I hope… I hope he finds happiness.”
Rosalind was naturally a good woman, but Zoey didn’t feel it was her place to intervene. She could only hope their fate would work out.