Viola used to shirk responsibility, no matter how catastrophic the situation. She would always distance herself, portraying herself as helpless or innocent. But this time, she didn't refute Zoey's words. She merely wiped away the tears that kept falling.
Zoey looked at Viola and sighed.
Benjamin was a shell of his former self—no longer a man of status, no longer with a wife, spending his days locked away in his room. Bryan was a disappointment, failing at both martial arts and academics. He wasn't someone they could rely on.
Charlotte's side of the family had washed their hands off them, and really didn't care anymore. She even ordered the construction of a wall to divide Valor Estate in two.
Barrett was the only one in this family who was able to do anything. In addition to his special training, he still came back to care for Viola. As the man of the house, he looked over the finances and realized just how dire their situation was.
The family was truly impoverished.
Four hours later, Tara personally brought two hundred silver coins to Zoey. She arrived in a hurry, out of breath, clearly having just come back from outside the estate.
From Poppy, Zoey had learned many things. Amelia had once asked Rebecca to pawn her jewelry, but she had refused and even yelled at Amelia for it. Now, due to her own illness and the need for medication, she had finally complied and agreed to pawn it.
Zoey was naturally willing to make the trip, but she knew it would be fruitless. She took Tara along, having the latter wear a veil and serve as a witness.
Upon arriving at Arcane Sanctum, Zoey introduced herself and requested to purchase Snowdrop Pills.
Since she was a new customer, a physician came over to ask, "Which of your household members is suffering from a heart ailment? The Snowdrop Pills require a diagnosis by our head physician, Sebastian, before a prescription can be issued. Please wait a moment while I fetch him to accompany you to Silverstone Estate."
"Oh, is it really that complicated? If the diagnosis shows it's not a heart condition, I can't buy the Snowdrop Pills?" Zoey asked.
"That's correct. The supply of Snowdrop Pills is limited, so we must ensure they go to those who truly need them," the physician explained.
Zoey nodded. "Alright, I'll come back tomorrow."
Most of the criticisms directed at the Hell Monarch came from men, but the outrage against Valor Estate and Rebecca was a national phenomenon. It was on a completely different scale. People would occasionally debate the Hell Monarch's actions, but the insults aimed at the Warren family and Rebecca were pure and unfiltered curses.
It got worse when news broke that Rebecca needed Snowdrop Pills, but Arcane Sanctum would only sell them to Amelia. The townsfolk erupted in talks of karma. Servants who overheard dared not report back for fear that Rebecca would fly into a rage, and they simply left.
After listening to Tara's report, Rebecca remained silent for a long time. Zoey wondered if the older woman felt any regret at that moment, and suspected she did. Someone like her would only understand regret when their own life was in jeopardy.
Unfortunately, regret was the most useless emotion. It often came too late to change anything.
Zoey had said she would stay at Valor Estate to offer some support, but aside from caring for Viola, she merely watched coldly from the sidelines. She wasn't a compassionate person, and only sought to act in a way that was true to her conscience.
She knew she could buy Snowdrop Pills through Carissa. But if she did, Amelia would never forgive Zoey—even in death.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Her Graceful War Song
What happens to the other chapters, I've been waiting to read more of this story, the character's and the screening are fantastic, very intriguing story...
Next chapter please, what's happening...
Very captivating novel....
Both content and context are very intriguing, the writer style of pulling out characters in their unique ways are profound,I have recommended this book because it's very captivating...