The Silent 492
“Eliza? What is she doing here?” Matthew was the first to speak, his tone clearly displeased.
Gabriel shifted his gaze to Dale. “Did you invite her?” His tone was assertive, almost accusatory.
Dale ignored him completely, rising to his feet and preparing to lead his wife and son outside to greet the newcomer. But before he could, another figure moved more swiftly than he did.
‘Benedict? Why is he in such a hurry? The Stonor family members are all quite prejudiced against Eliza now. So why is Benedict more anxious than I am upon hearing she’s arrived?‘ Dale wondered.
Even from behind, it seemed Benedict’s lips were curved into a delighted smile.
Benedict hadn’t expected Eliza to come to the Duke’s estate today. ‘Is it for Dylan? Or for Caleb? Never mind. No matter the reason for her visit, I’m just glad to see her, he thought to himself.
“Lord Benedict, slow down. You’re not fully recovered yet. Don’t run so fast,” Manson called out, rushing to keep up with Benedict’s hurried pace.
In a short while, the two reached the entrance of the Duke’s estate. As Benedict was about to catch a glimpse of Eliza, he quickly stopped and turned to Manson. “Manson, check me over. Is my clothing neat? Is my hair in place? Is there anything messy or dirty?”
Manson, who had finally caught up, panted and shook his head repeatedly. “No, Lord Benedict. Your hair is fine, and your clothes are clean and tidy. There’s nothing amiss.”
“Good,” Benedict said with a relieved smile, smoothing his clothes once more before stepping out the door.
But instead of Eliza, he saw only the carriage outside the Duke’s estate.
Manson, recognizing the carriage, leaned in and whispered to Benedict, “Lord Benedict, that’s Her Grace’s carriage.”
Benedict’s eyes lit up instantly. “Eliz-”
Benedict’s eyes lit up. “Hey-” He instinctively took a step forward, about to call out to Eliza as he used to. But then he remembered something.
Pressing his lips together, he composed himself and said slowly, “Your Grace, greetings.”
As an official of the High Council, Benedict was but a minor figure in the presence of the Holy Lady. It was only proper that he pay his respects.
“Rise, where is everyone else?” Eliza asked from inside the carriage. Almost immediately, more people emerged from the Duke’s estate. Leading the group was Dale, followed by Adeline and Caleb.
The family of three approached the entrance and, after a brief moment of awkwardness, Adeline joined her husband and son in bowing to Eliza.
“Your Grace, greetings,” Dale said, signaling for Adeline and Caleb to do the same.
“Your Grace, greetings,” Caleb muttered, hiding behind Dale.
He was already reluctant to speak, but as the center of attention that day, he couldn’t avoid it. His father even grabbed him by the collar and gave him a nudge. “Hurry up and greet her.”
Caleb reluctantly said, “Your Grace, greetings.”
“Rise.” Eliza’s calm voice came from the carriage, but she remained inside, waiting.
Dale and the others knew exactly what she was waiting for, so they stood aside without complaint. Sure enough, soon the rest of the people emerged.
Gabriel, Sophie, Matthew, and even Anthony, who had already retired to rest, all came out.
Gabriel, seeing the stationary carriage outside the gate, narrowed his eyes slightly before leading the Stonor family in a bow.
“Your Grace, I was unaware of your arrival. I apologize for my tardiness. Greetings,” he said coldly, as if reprimanding someone who didn’t know their place.
“I apologize for the intrusion, Lord Mowbay. Please do not take it amiss.” Eliza’s indifferent voice came from the carriage. Dale quickly stepped forward. “Your Grace, you needn’t worry. Today is precisely to resolve the entanglements between us and the Duke’s estate. Lord Mowbay should be pleased that I’ve managed to invite you to preside over this. He won’t object. Or perhaps the Duke’s estate never intended to negotiate in good faith today?” Dale’s challenging gaze fell on Gabriel. Gabriel, of course, had objections. He didn’t even acknowledge Dale’s remark. “Any matter between the Duke’s estate and the Marquis’s estate should be considered a family affair. Dale, why did you invite an outsider to mediate a family matter?” “What kind of family affair results in someone being so brutally injured?” Without waiting for Dale to respond, Adeline sharply retorted to her brother. “Gabriel, when you broke Caleb’s leg, when your bastard daughter schemed against Caleb,
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492 Chapter 497
and when your two sons were so cruel to their own cousin yesterday–did you ever think about us being family, being blood
relatives?”
“Your ruthlessness toward Caleb–didn’t you yourselves stop treating us like family first? Adeline’s voice wavered as she teared up again. “I’m your sister. I’m their aunt. My son has been hurt time and time again at the Duke’s estate. Don’t you think he deserves justice?”
Dale patted Adeline’s back, soothing her, “Caleb, don’t be afraid. I’ll get justice for you”
“Mom.” Caleb, now sheltered by his parents, no longer feared the people of the Duke’s estate.
After hearing Adeline’s words, Gabriel was left speechless.
“Your Grace, please come in,” Before Gabriel could say something, Dale said coldly, pushing past Gabriel and extending an invitation to Eliza in the carriage.
“Alright,” Eliza replied calmly and indifferently. The next moment, a slender figure descended gracefully from the carriage Matthew and the others glanced up nonchalantly. The next instant, all the Stonor family members except Benedict were taken aback and their brows furrowed in surprise.
They hadn’t expected Eliza to be wearing clothes adorned with the royal purple cloud pattern.
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