Chapter 197: Mother!
In the Pavilion, Agnes had been waiting at the door.
Since the morning, Lady Isolde had asked several times, afraid of missing Prince Simon.
But it was understandable. Prince Simon had been gone for three years. For a mother, nothing was more painful than that. After all, Prince Simon was now Lady Isolde’s only hope.
Leaning by the door, Agnes was bored and counting flower petals. When she heard footsteps, she instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.
She saw a young eunuch leading a handsome young man toward the Pavilion.
In the inner castle where the concubines lived, the only man who could freely come and go was the former emperor; other than that, only the princes could enter.
Looking at this young man, Agnes was immediately surprised and happy. Although Simon’s appearance had changed a lot in the past three years, his general look was still the same. She immediately ran back excitedly, shouting. "My lady, my lady, His Highness is back! His Highness is back!"
Lady Isolde, who was anxiously waiting in the pavilion, froze when she heard this. Then two lines of tears rolled down her face. She put down her embroidery and quickly walked out with the help of a maid.
Simon also arrived at the door. He still remembered this maid from before; she was Agnes, the one who served Lady Isolde. Before he could enter, a beautiful woman in a purple gown walked out from the hall. Seeing Simon, the woman’s eyes filled with tears as she came forward.
She was none other than Lady Isolde, the mother of the former Simon.
"Simon." When she got close, Lady Isolde hugged Simon and cried bitterly.
The other maids were also wiping their eyes, seemingly moved by the scene.
Simon felt even more awkward than when he saw Emperor Alaric. After all, the woman in front of him was his supposed mother.
Simon was truly grateful to Lady Isolde. In any era, mothers were great. Like all mothers, Lady Isolde had shielded him from the wind and rain in the dangerous city of Eldora.
If not for her help, his wine and perfume would not have sold so well in Eldora. The fashion trends that spread from the castle played a big role.
Normally, the former Simon would surely be crying at such a reunion, but Simon couldn’t cry; after all, he wasn’t really that Simon.
Being hugged by Lady Isolde, Simon didn’t know where to put his hands for a moment. After hesitating, he gently patted Lady Isolde’s thin shoulder and said. "Mother, your son is back."
Lady Isolde nodded in his arms, then raised her head after a while, not stopping her gaze from scanning Simon, as if she couldn’t look at him enough.
Wiping her tears, Lady Isolde held Simon’s hand, smiled through her tears, and said to Agnes. "After three years, my boy has grown taller and more handsome. Come, let’s go inside and sit."
Lady Isolde’s gentle and tender manner warmed Simon’s heart. This feeling of being cared for always touched people.
Simon thought that since he was already Simon now, he should stop thinking about his past life. After all, this was his new life.
Thinking this, Simon suddenly felt more at ease. He followed Lady Isolde into the Pavilion, smiling along the way.
"Mother, this Pavilion looks the same as three years ago. It hasn’t changed at all."
When they got inside, Lady Isolde had Simon sit close to her and asked Agnes to make tea for him.
From the moment Simon entered the pavilion, Lady Isolde’s eyes never left him. She said. "Many things in here were arranged by me for you. Every time I see them, I think of you. That’s why I never let the servants touch them."
Simon nodded. He could tell that Lady Isolde truly cared for him. He said. "Mother, have you been well in the castle these past three years? Did any concubines bully you? If so, tell me, I’ll deal with them."
Simon’s words warmed Lady Isolde’s heart, and tears came again.
In the imperial castle, there were very few people one could trust. Everyone guarded against and attacked each other. Life was like walking on thin ice. Like every concubine, their only hope was their children.
"No one dares bully me. After your great victory in Dunmere, the concubines in the castle all respect me more." Lady Isolde said with red eyes.
Simon took out a handkerchief from his robe and wiped her tears, saying. "Mother, it’s a pity I can’t bring you to Brambleford. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have to be separated."
Lady Isolde sighed. "A man’s ambition should be far-reaching. Besides, you are a royal prince. As long as you’re doing well, I will be at ease. If you can live peacefully and safely, everything I do is worth it."
Simon was even more touched in his heart. To have such a mother was a kind of blessing.
Agnes, with red eyes, advised. "My lady, please don’t cry anymore. His Highness’s coming back is something to be happy about. Crying too much will harm your body."
"Yes, yes, I won’t cry." Lady Isolde wiped her tears and suddenly smiled. "Simon, there’s a great joy this time. Your father is discussing with Hughes to marry their daughter Elin to you."
Agnes laughed and said. "Your Highness, Elin is a famous beauty in Eldora. She’s good at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Most importantly, she’s from the Baker family. Even the most powerful nobles can’t win her over."
Simon had already been told about this by Lady Isolde. He said. "But not many people in Eldora have seen her. How can they be sure she’s beautiful?"
Lady Isolde glared at Simon. "Your temper hasn’t changed a bit. ’Lust’ is a dangerous path. How can marriage be based on looks? As long as she’s a daughter of the Baker family, even if she’s ugly, others would still fight to marry her. And you’re still being picky. For this matter, your father has talked to Hughes many times. Even now, Hughes is still unclear. This time, after receiving your rewards, go visit Hughes. He cares a lot about face. Just your visit should be enough to settle it."
"Mother, Hughes is being too arrogant. He doesn’t even listen to the Emperor? Is he trying to rebel?" Simon slapped the table.
Lady Isolde gently tapped Simon. "Everyone says you’ve changed your temper, but I still see the same old you. If your father issued an order, Hughes wouldn’t dare refuse. But between ruler and subject, there should be proper manners. If not, how could the Baker family stay loyal to your father? You can’t force a horse to drink water. While in Eldora, you must not act recklessly like before. If you do, I’d rather die."
Saying this, Lady Isolde started crying again.
Simon was helpless and said. "Mother, I’ll listen to you. After tomorrow, I’ll visit the Baker family. I just hope Hughes doesn’t make things difficult on purpose."
Lady Isodle immediately smiled. "That’s better. Don’t worry. Visiting the Baker family is just a formality. Hughes definitely won’t make it hard for you."
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