Chapter 111 Chapter 111 Bella/Eleanor, you are a woman...
The storm at the Chalvis estate subsided, and the guests who arrived immediately afterwards surprised Violet.
It's Louisa and the Howard family.
Facing her former grandson's wife whom she hadn't seen for a long time, Violet did not show her former dignity, but felt a little uncomfortable.
"Saxon just left. If you dare to set foot in Chalvey, you will probably be blacklisted together." She said in a firm tone.
"There's nothing to be afraid of." Louisa walked forward, took the gauze from Eleanor's hand, squatted down and bandaged the old lady as she did before, but there was no false flattery on her face.
Violet wasn't seriously hurt, just a twisted wrist from hitting her crutches too hard.
Louisa said as she moved, "It was Miss Norman who wrote to ask us to look after you. In fact, even if she hadn't said so, we would have come."
Louisa's father, Marquis Howard, said calmly, "Right now, the entire Mellenwick is ostracizing anyone associated with the Spencer family. Even though Louisa and Edmund are no longer married, because she testified in court, we are still considered one with the Spencers."
The implication was that, although he didn't want to help, he had to. Since he had decided to help, he shouldn't make things too awkward. He should just follow Isabel's letter and do her a favor, so that everyone could get on the same boat.
Violet's eyes moved slightly, and she soon realized that the Saxon party's overly brutal methods had forced this part of the people in Howard's Marquisate to defect.
In the next few days, people really came to visit one after another - Lady Cynthia, Vincent, the fence-sitter, and the families of the five noble fiancées, etc.
Their goals were different, but the results were the same - in short, the number of guests coming to the Chalvey Manor increased, and it inexplicably regained its former glory.
Saxon and his men knew that Spencer's entourage had already formed a coalition, and they had lost their best opportunity to act. Until this political struggle was settled, no one dared to touch Violet, even if it was just her alone.
Violet gradually came to her senses. She guessed that this was probably because her granddaughter-in-law, who had planned everything, dared to abandon the old woman and go to Kent.
In Kent County in the north, the workers' movement was in full swing, and no one was disconvinced by the White family who were the first to agree to the welfare system; let alone the capitalists, now that the church had been brought down by Spencer, even a fool would know who to turn to.
In other words, public opinion throughout the North supports the Spencer family, and it can be said that it is the base camp of the Duke's Party.
In the south where Violet was in charge, public opinion also changed with the situation.
In the minds of ordinary people, the Spencer family is upright and honest. Although the Duke and Duchess were forced to go north, the old lady is still in charge of the manor, which is enough to prove their integrity.
In terms of public opinion, the north and the south began to unify and gradually turned to the Duke's camp.
Of course, in the eyes of politicians, public opinion can be rewritten by the victorious side, but the most difficult thing now is that Heinrich has soldiers in his hands.
In the royal council chamber, the Queen and the cabinet ministers have been up for several nights, all worried about the current situation.
Ludwig's old subordinates were not numerous, so if they really came to a head-on confrontation, the royal family had a good chance of winning. However, the Minister of War knew Heinrich's combat capabilities best, so who would dare to send troops without absolute confidence?
Even if they wanted to fight the other side in one go, there was a powerful "military advisor" on the Duke's side. She didn't want to fight at all. After going down the mountain, she went straight to Kent County. Before Mellenwick could react, she cut off the railway and all trade communications - yes, they still had a damn capitalist who monopolized the railway!
The north is close to the sea, with mature ports and resources, and is self-sufficient even if isolated from the south forever! On the other hand, although the south has vast tracts of fertile land, it is all labeled with the names of various nobles. If trade is lost again, ordinary people will not have enough to eat!
The once high-ranking southern nobles have realized the crisis is coming. They don't have the capital to confront the north! Most importantly, the grassroots people have begun to resist!
The first to suffer were the gentry, and then the petty nobles. Unable to bear the pressure, the petty nobles could only seek help from their superiors, but the upper echelons of Mellenvik were themselves in a state of panic. Now the petty nobles knew there was no hope, so they simply united to fight.
Ceylon was in complete chaos. The military and political ministers had no scruples anymore and asked the Queen for permission to send troops to the north!
Now all the conflicts are caused by the Duke's camp. As long as they are destroyed, all conflicts will be resolved.
The Electors, led by Saxony, naturally supported the cause. Although the lower classes began to riot, the upper classes didn't suffer much. They held abundant resources at their disposal. If they could defeat the North, they could make a fortune in war and, by the way, carve up the industrial areas that had long been occupied by the Church!
In short, under the conspiracy of all parties, on the eve of Christmas, a declaration of war made headlines in newspapers and was also delivered to the desk of the "military advisor" in the north.
Soon, there was a reply from the other side, which was very brief - call if you want, we are at your service anytime.
In the royal council chamber, everyone was silent. Saxon's face was ashen, the military and political ministers were furious, and only the queen remained calm.
She looked at the letter, as if she was looking at the writer from a distance.
Yes, their speculation was wrong again.
At first, the military and political ministers thought that Isabel was afraid to fight, so she retreated to the north.
During the six months of confrontation, both sides were wasting time and engaging in a war of public opinion. That's why Saxon and his team thought they could take a risk.
But now, the other party's straightforward reply was completely unexpected to everyone.
In the hall, the ministers were talking at once. Some suspected Isabel was bluffing, while others advocated a complete break-up and taking all of Spencer's followers in the South hostage...
The queen listened to the noise and never responded.
She opened the letter again, as if trying to simulate the other person's thoughts. Her sixth sense told her that Isabel was not bluffing.
It was true that Isabel had retreated to the north and did not want to fight; it was also true that she had spent half a year gathering her strength and had completely taken control of the north.
In a sense, only war can completely reshuffle the entire Ceylon.
The queen closed her eyes, stroked the throne, and sighed softly.
By then, I'm afraid someone else will have to take this position.
Margaret's history will repeat itself.
After a long moment, the Queen slowly opened her eyes and said calmly, "Lorna."
Lorna: “Yes.”
"Draft a letter of peace and publish it in the newspaper to inform the North that the royal family is willing to negotiate peace."
"Negotiation?!" Everyone looked up in surprise.
-
"Peace talks?"
At Chalvey Manor, Violet frowned at the Queen's messenger, Lorna.
"Yes." Lorna said expressionlessly.
Ever since she was abducted and taken down the mountain and released back to Mellenvik, Lorna knew Isabel was a powerful figure. She wasn't afraid of Lorna's reports, or even the Queen. It could be said that Isabel had been prepared from the beginning to deal with the royal family after clearing out the church.
Therefore, the result of the royal family raising the white flag and asking for peace was obvious.
"As a gesture of sincerity, the Queen wants someone from Chalvis Manor to deliver a message to the North," Lorna said. "This will allow the Duke and Duchess to see that you are safe and sound, and will also assure them that the Queen truly wants peace."
This reason is irrefutable. Now everyone wants to go to the north, and the royal family will not set a trap here. If they really touch the Spencer family, I am afraid the queen's reputation will be completely ruined.
Violet was silent for a moment, but before she could speak, she heard Louisa say, "I can go."
Louisa stepped forward under everyone's gaze and said with a smile, "Charvez Manor can't send anyone else except the old lady. If she leaves, it will definitely trigger all kinds of public speculation. I think I can deliver the letter in her place."
"Most importantly, I want to meet Miss Norman again." Louisa lowered her eyes, "Let her see how I've changed."
Having said this, Violet said no more and patted Louisa's hand.
Lorna had no objection: "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Howard. The convoy will set off tomorrow."
She was about to leave after giving her instructions, but was stopped by Violet.
"Wait, Secretary Lorna." The old lady suddenly looked at Eleanor: "Can we add someone else? Including my maid, and let her accompany Louisa."
Eleanor was stunned and met Violet's deep eyes.
"Maid?" Lorna frowned.
"Eleanor is my personal maid. She has been with me for many years, and my children regard her as an elder. She has relatives in the north, and it's time to meet them after so many years." Violet pulled Eleanor's hand, who subconsciously shrank back, but was held tightly by the old lady.
"Okay." Luna agreed readily and left with her people.
In the hall, only Violet, Eleanor and Louisa were left.
Louisa had been in frequent contact with Charles during this period. In the past, she had lived with Eleanor for so long, but she had never heard that this serious maid had any relatives in the North.
She looked up in confusion and saw Eleanor's pale face - as if she was panicked after a secret was discovered.
Violet clutched Eleanor's hand tightly - there was a fresh scar on it, left by her when she tried to protect Violet when Saxon drew his knife.
Violet's eyes were calm, avoiding the scar and looking upwards.
On the back of the hand, covered by the sleeve, a crescent-shaped birthmark is particularly eye-catching under the light.
Eleanor subconsciously pulled her hand back, as if this birthmark contained a secret that could not be seen by others.
Louisa, standing by, looked surprised, and a certain memory suddenly emerged in her mind -
A crescent-shaped birthmark?!
When she saw Edmund making a deal with a strange woman, she thought it was Sophia, so she reported it to Isabel. It turned out that the woman had just such a birthmark on her hand!
Could it be that... Eleanor is...
Louisa's eyes widened, but before she could guess, she saw Violet's calm eyes and soft voice: "Eleanor, you are the Queen's, right?"
Eleanor's expression froze.
Violet chuckled. "The year Georgiana came to the Spencer family, you became my personal maid. I should have thought that there are no such coincidences in the world, and no one can always please me."
"I've always wondered what role the Queen plays in all these stories. She always claims to be protecting Spencer, but in the end, we're the ones who keep retreating, and the royal family remains unscathed," Violet said slowly. "I'm also curious. Ever since the incident five years ago, Chalvey has been so vigilant. Could Sophia have gotten away with it all?"
"Hein suddenly fell ill on the day of his wedding. The ones who changed his medicine were just scapegoats. You're the real murderer, aren't you?" Violet stared at Eleanor, her eyes darkening at her pale expression. "The Queen should have given you her final order... to kill me, right?"
Eleanor's lips trembled, and she finally closed her eyes, as if giving up resistance. "Yes... From the very beginning, I was sent by Her Majesty Seraphina... I acknowledge everything I have done. You are free to deal with me."
Violet stared at her for a long time without saying anything.
After a long while, she suddenly sighed: "But you didn't carry out the last instruction after all."
Eleanor's eyes paused.
Violet's eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions, but in the end, she put on a bitter smile: "I'm old, I've seen everything. In life, nothing is black or white, it's all determined by your stance."
"I remember your hatred, but I also remember your kindness. But I am not qualified to forgive you on behalf of the people you hurt."
"Go, go to the north to see your sister." Violet lowered her eyes and looked at the withered yellow leaves outside the window. "This last Holy Sunday, enjoy it well."
Eleanor gritted her teeth and walked out of the courtyard with her back straight.
She reached out her hand, caught the fallen leaves from Chalvey, and turned back to bow deeply.
"It's getting cold, so remember to take out the thick fox fur cloak from the closet and wear it."
The light voice drifted away with the wind, as if it was just an ordinary journey.
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Author's words: The crescent birthmark has appeared before, when Eleanor gave the medicine bottle to Edmund, and in the pediatric house fight. Chapter 34, Chapter 43
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