Terrible Gossip

Two days.

For two full days, Bree had to rest to allow her body to recover. And it frustrated Bree. Her weakened body delayed her training plans. She couldn't force herself to exercise.

Now fully recovered, Bree was determined to continue her plans and hoped that nothing would disturb her.

Bree hurriedly walked out of the castle, passing through the side door. She was so hurried that she almost collided with Irene, who happened to be walking in.

No collision occurred, but Irene had to cling to the wall to avoid falling. Bree didn't bother to apologize, of course. She just glanced at her and continued walking.

"So rough! Gourgandine!" Irene muttered quite loudly.

She didn't dare to confront directly and could only grumble. Usually, Bree pretended not to hear, but this time she couldn't ignore Irene's words.

"Excuse me, what did you say earlier?"

Bree turned around, looking at Irene, who shook her head.

"Nothing. You misheard." Irene cowardly denied it.

Bree smiled and clicked her tongue.

"I heard it earlier!" Bree tried to be polite, though her anger peaked.

"I wouldn't be offended if you hadn't used that word, but what you said was ironic. You mentioned something about my rude behavior, but the words themselves were much ruder than just rude behavior. Perhaps you need a reminder of what I know."

Bree could see the red color of anger creeping up Irene's neck, but her lips remained tightly sealed. She didn't dare to confront Bree.

"Next time, speak carefully!"

Bree concluded her outburst, staring sharply at Irene. The woman pouted, then walked into the castle with stomping steps. A few strands of her gray hair came loose from her hairstyle, swaying as her body trembled with suppressed anger.

Bree sighed heavily, accompanied by deep breaths. She wanted to go through the day without anger today, but apparently, it was impossible.

The insult Irene used was very harsh. "Gourgandine" meant harlot. Bree couldn't just stay silent after hearing that. Irene might have said it without much thought—just any bad word to mock her.

That word triggered Bree's anger easily because she had heard it countless times in prison. Almost everyone used that word against Bree when she was in prison. The accusations that led to Bree's death sentence included having an affair with Benjamin, the Prince of Frankia. Bree, of course, did not do it. Hence, that word was sensitive for Bree.

And that insult was more suitable for Rad than herself. Unfortunately, society branded women as harlots, while men were merely branded unfaithful. Bree wanted to equalize this standard. Both unfaithful men and women should be called cheap.

"Are you still going to meet Sir LeBlanc?"

Aima, who was walking behind her, asked Bree about the barracks building as they walked towards it, which was separate from the main castle building. LeBlanc was Edmond's last name.

"Of course!" Bree replied curtly.

She wouldn't change her intentions just because of Irene.

Yesterday, Aima gave information about servants gossiping about her training with horses with Edmond. It was hot gossip because everyone in the castle knew that Rad and she never spent the night together.

The term harlot stuck to Bree again, but for a different reason. People called Bree a disrespectful wife because she did not serve her husband and had an affair with Edmond. However, for Bree, all of that didn't matter. The gossip couldn't kill her, as long as she could save her father.

The news of Bree's affair with Benjamin became widespread because the first accusation of killing her father was not enough to discredit her. Therefore, the judge gave her the additional charge of committing adultery with Ben to worsen her public image.

A successful move, as Bree became the most hated loose woman in society at that time. No one objected to the death penalty.

Now Bree understood that she needed to ensure her father's safety in order for everything to turn around.

For that, she needed Edmond right now because he would surely oppose anyone trying to kill her father.

***

"HEY!"

"WHAT..."

Various complaints and reprimands immediately arose as soon as Bree opened the barracks' door. However, all mouths fell silent when they saw her.

Unlike their hands, which were hastily grabbing clothes or any fabric to cover their half-naked bodies, the barracks were filled with male soldiers preparing for the afternoon training. Most of them were changing from regular clothes to battle armor.

Despite her irritation from Irene's disturbance, Bree opened the door without hesitation, forgetting to knock first. She forgot that the building was filled with men. Now, all the shirtless, well-built men were confusedly looking at Bree, who, for a moment, was also confused. But not for long.

In the past, Bree might have screamed and ran in embarrassment. But for now, she was still shocked but managed to maintain a nonchalant attitude. She successfully hid her surprise and embarrassment. Although her heart was pounding, her face remained composed.

"Where is Edmond?" Bree asked.

"Sir LeBlanc is already on the field," one soldier said, pointing to the field next to the barracks. Edmond was the leader of the knight forces and had to set an example of diligence.

No words of thanks or anything, Bree quietly exhaled a sigh of relief as she turned around.

Since earlier, Bree has been holding her breath due to tension. After embarrassment and surprise, a little fear crept into Bree's mind. The crowd of men created dark shadows that caused Bree to have nightmares almost every night, suddenly.

While walking towards Edmond, who was swinging his sword, Bree took deep breaths to dispel the dark shadows in her mind. She had to stay calm right now.

***

Edmond bowed as soon as he saw Bree.

"I want the sword lesson to start immediately." Bree didn't start with greetings.

Edmond straightened up, glancing at Bree briefly. Staring longer would be considered disrespectful.

"I'm sorry; I think this is not a good idea, My Lady." Edmond bowed again, answering slowly. Edmond wanted to avoid seeing Bree again.

"Do you care about that gossip? I don't care! I just want to learn the sword, and you have to teach me!" Bree demanded firmly.

Edmond shook his head.

"I heard that gossip, but I refuse, not just because of that gossip. Duke Valois did not allow..."

"Meaning Radford doesn't allow you to teach me?" Bree cut in with a high tone.

"Right, Duke Valois did not give me permission to..."

"Where is he now?" Bree interrupted again.

She didn't need a long explanation. Bree already understood what Edmond wanted to say. Now it meant Bree had to shift to a more annoying plan, which was to force Rad to give permission.

"He's in the castle, currently..."

Bree, of course, didn't hear Edmond's sentence completely, feeling it was unnecessary.

She left Edmond as it was. Leaving the man shaking his head in wonder. This duchess was truly too different from ordinary women.

***

Bree walked into the castle with wider strides.

The peaceful day she had dreamed of seemed far from reach. Once again, Bree needed to be angry. Rad shouldn't have the right to forbid like this.