When Isolde saw the Memory Orb, she could scarcely believe what she had orchestrated.
She cared for Sylas deeply, yet she had arranged for a thirty-five-year-old woman to humiliate him.
But her predecessor's final words echoed incessantly in her ears: "The things that make you feel wonderful are all poisonous."
According to her mother's will and her sister's advice, she should let Sylas go. She should cast him from her mind and sever this tie completely.
But now, letting go felt utterly impossible. Yet, Sylas's infuriating nobility grated on her terribly.
Thus, Celeste's suggestion was: if Sylas refused to surrender, then make him utterly dirty. Once he was soiled, he would have no right to his haughty air. That way, he might finally yield.
At first, Isolde thought the advice was utter nonsense. What woman would let the man she liked fall into degradation?
But the moment she entered the dungeon, before she could even brace herself, Sylas's attitude provoked her beyond endurance.
She felt he was too much, too noble.
You're a prisoner. You've been claimed. Why do you still refuse to yield? Is there really someone in this world who never breaks? Impossible!
So, she began to act out of spite.
You're cold and aloof, are you? Fine. I'll have your betrothed's mother come to you!
But who could have predicted it would actually work?!
She was utterly enraged.
I send Jade to you, and you agree?! Huh? Where's your resolve? Where's your nobility? Sylas, you are filthy! Truly!
Seeing the sword pressed against his neck, Sylas felt no fear anymore.
What was the point of living such a wretched existence? Just get it over with!
He looked at Isolde with utter indifference and sneered, "I gave in. Isn't this what you arranged? The Queen's grace is vast. I thank you for it."
"You!" The sword pushed forward, leaving a thin line of blood on Sylas's neck. The pain cleared his head.
The Servant's Chain on his wrist could only prevent him from killing himself, not stop others from killing him.
He closed his eyes, thinking, It's over.
But the cold sensation on his neck vanished, replaced by a spot of warmth.
He hurriedly opened his eyes to see Isolde pressed against the cut, licking away the blood.
Then, with a ferocious expression, she grabbed his shoulders and shoved him down.
Sylas was horrified. "What are you doing?!"
Isolde said with icy malice, "Desensitization. Tasting garbage."
"You are truly insane! Just kill me, I beg you... I'm so sick of this! Ugh!"
"I have to let you know who has more flavor, you ungrateful wretch!"
…
Sylas was now completely and utterly speechless. He felt as if Isolde had ripped out his brain, thrown it on the ground, and stomped on it viciously.
He couldn't comprehend her actions.
Did this Queen enjoy cuckolding herself? She must be unwell!
But he couldn't spare the energy to figure Isolde out. He was now so humiliated he dared not look at the sun outside.
Being taken by Isolde was one thing—he was a conquered slave, there was no helping it.
But what was his relationship with Jade now?
A good man doesn't serve two mistresses.
All his values had been destroyed by Isolde. And to make matters worse, she still refused to execute him. She even kept questioning him.
…
Then, he blacked out. It wasn't just due to physical exhaustion; part of it was a mental breakdown.
Isolde, however, was exhilarated.
She didn't know why, but she felt like someone was competing with her for something.
Or rather, she was reclaiming something she had discarded.
Sylas must be discarded! He is a poisonous thing that could drag Aethelred into the mire. As Empress, I must be responsible to Aethelred.
So, from this perspective, Sylas now belonged to Jade.Or rather, to Crystal.
So now, she was forcibly taking what belonged to them!
Her sister was right! Once she let go, she could gain more happiness!
Finally, leaving in a bizarre state of achievement, she departed happily.
The days that followed became very strange for Sylas.
Jade came to "check in" every day. She was gentle, but also stubborn.
Only by cooperating could she keep her daughter alive.
Sylas's resistance was ineffective, his persuasion futile, his begging ignored.
Faced with this obstinate aunt, he could only resignedly accept his fate.
Then, Isolde would storm in furiously and subject him to another round of humiliation.
This life continued for a month. Sylas's spirit was tortured for a month.
Until the final day, when Jade brought the worst possible news, and Sylas finally broke.
On that day, Jade arrived at the usual time. She always brought Sylas some food and drink.
Today, her expression was desolate as she brought a flask of wine and a braised goose.
"Sylas, eat something," she said.
She set out the meal and even poured him a cup of wine.
Sylas was a mess. His clothes were long since torn and ragged. His hair was matted together.
Isolde only allowed him to wash the necessary parts. In this dirty, chaotic environment, having to entertain two women daily, Sylas felt he was one step away from madness.
The only reason he retained a sliver of clarity was that there was no news of his mother and sister. So, he could not yield.
Even enduring daily humiliation, even with his reputation in tatters, he could not actively capitulate. A change in his attitude would put his mother in even greater danger.
Jade cut the goose meat into bite-sized pieces, picked some up with chopsticks, and held it to Sylas's lips.
Sylas looked at her but didn't reject it. He ate the food Jade brought.
To Sylas, Jade was a neutral party. She had her own difficulties; she wasn't deliberately making things hard for him.
The real culprit was Isolde. So, his attitude towards Jade was neither cold nor warm.
He would speak a few words if he felt like it, or ignore her if he didn't.
Having been in the dungeon for a month, eating only very bland food daily, he naturally wanted to eat more of the flavorful braised dish. He reached out for the chopsticks.
"Eat more," Jade said with an apologetic smile, quickly attending to him.
The boy is finally taking the initiative to eat; I must serve him properly.
She poured him more wine. Sylas didn't refuse this either, tilting his head back to drink it.
The rice wine wasn't strong; it was sweet. His mood finally sweetened just a little.
"Do you like this? Auntie will make it for you from now on," Jade said gently, wiping the corner of his mouth.
Sylas took two more bites, but upon hearing her words, a nameless fury suddenly rose within him.
What was this? Accepting her kindness? She was a turncoat! A traitor!
He slammed the chopsticks down on the table with a crash. "You don't need to make anything for me," he said icily. "I won't eat it."