Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: A Lesson in Hubris

Regret and desperation churned inside Melissa. She could have slapped herself for her own foolishness.

After a moment of agonized silence, she turned pleading eyes toward Elysia.

"Your Grace, Lillian is your cousin. You cannot simply abandon her marriage prospects!"

Elysia’s expression remained indifferent.

"And what if I do?"

"If you do, I’ll make sure everyone in Caelvyr knows you have no heart!"

Even now, Melissa had resorted to threats.

Elysia couldn’t help but smile.

"All your past efforts to spread ugly rumours about me relied on Duchess Yvette, did they not?"

Melissa’s expression stiffened.

"But now you’ve thoroughly angered the Duchess. On your own, how do you intend to spread those same ugly stories?"

The words struck home.

Melissa’s breath caught. Her mouth opened, then closed again, but no answer came.

Elysia calmly lifted her cup and took a sip before continuing in an almost conversational tone.

"Actually, if the match with Merlinspire is truly lost, Mr. Soren is also a good choice."

Melissa dismissed the suggestion immediately.

"That Soren family is nothing like your Hartwells! No high office, no title. I wouldn’t consider it."

Elysia tilted her head.

"Aunt, what are you talking about? Mr. Soren’s mother is a lady of the blood—the daughter of a prince."

Melissa’s eyes widened.

"He passed the royal academic assessments with flying colours when he was still a young man, and he’ll sit for the Imperial Scholarly Trials this year. His future is truly boundless."

A lady of the blood?

A prince’s daughter?

Melissa’s mind raced.

That meant Evren’s maternal grandfather was a prince.

Even without an inherited title, with such connections and his own accomplishments, a baronetcy—or perhaps even a viscountcy—would hardly be beyond his reach.

Her interest, which had vanished moments ago, immediately rekindled.

Before she could say anything, Elysia’s gaze shifted toward the entrance.

A smile appeared on her face.

"Mrs. Rennor, you’ve arrived."

Ismeria entered the pavilion accompanied only by her maids.

Elysia glanced behind her.

There was no sign of Evren.

"Where is Mr. Soren?"

Ismeria smiled.

"On the way here, he spotted a cat he found adorable. He’s lingering there, playing with it. I’m afraid it will be a while before he can tear himself away."

Elysia nodded, understanding immediately.

"I see."

Melissa seized the opportunity to insert herself into the conversation.

"If you ask me, cats and dogs are filthy creatures, mere beasts. I’ve never understood the fascination with them."

Neither Elysia nor Ismeria responded.

That did nothing to discourage Melissa.

"Our neighbors once had a daughter who kept a black-and-white cat. She even let it sleep on her bed at night! If she were my daughter, I’d have given her a good scolding and thrown the creature out."

Her lip curled with disdain.

"Later, the cat went missing. The girl searched for days before finally finding it dead in the street, stiff as a board. She cried pitifully."

Melissa gave a dismissive click of her tongue.

"I wonder if she’d cry that hard when her own parents die."

Elysia’s brow furrowed.

"Aunt, if you have nothing worthwhile to say, perhaps it’s better to say nothing at all."

Her tone remained calm, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it.

"They are her parents. Whether she cries or not is none of your concern."

She took another sip of water.

"If you’re truly that worried about it, you can always go and weep for them yourself when the time comes."

Melissa choked.

Colour rushed into her face, equal parts embarrassment and anger.

"I was only making conversation! Why are you taking it so seriously?"

Elysia did not dignify the excuse with a response.

Just then, Clara hurried into the pavilion and bent down to whisper something in her ear.

"Your Grace, Lady Lillian is weeping terribly in the next room. I cannot console her. Would you go and see her?"

Elysia gave a soft acknowledgment and rose.

She turned to Ismeria with an apologetic smile.

"Mrs. Rennor, a small matter requires my attention. I shall return shortly."

Her hand gestured toward the table.

"Please, try the mulberry tarts. They’re chilled."

"All right. Go on," Ismeria replied graciously.

Elysia left with Clara.

Once she was gone, Ismeria delicately picked up a small pastry.

Melissa edged closer, arranging her features into what she hoped was a pleasant smile.

"I hear your nephew has grown into a most impressive young man."

Ismeria offered a polite smile but nothing more.

Melissa waited.

When no response came, she pressed on.

"I heard you brought your nephew today to be introduced to my daughter Lillian?"

Ismeria placed the tart in her mouth and chewed slowly.

She did not seem remotely hurried.

Melissa’s fingers fidgeted in her lap.

The silence stretched.

At last, Ismeria swallowed.

Melissa leaned forward, ready for the answer.

Instead, Ismeria lifted her cup and took a leisurely sip of iced tea.

Melissa felt as though something had lodged in her throat.

Finally, Ismeria lowered the cup.

"You are mistaken, Lady Melissa."

Her voice was gentle, almost apologetic.

"My nephew often says that a man should establish his career before taking a wife. Therefore, we are not here for an introduction today."

She gestured lightly toward the refreshments.

"We are merely guests, invited by Her Grace to enjoy some pastries."

Melissa’s eyes widened.

"What nonsense! One always marries first, then builds a career!"

Ismeria’s polite smile never wavered.

"Perhaps. But my nephew thinks differently."

She selected another pastry.

"He wishes to distinguish himself in the Imperial Scholarly Trials first. Only then will he consider taking a wife."

Her tone remained mild.

"Otherwise, he might be deemed of low standing—lacking high office or title, and therefore simply not worthy of consideration."

Melissa’s face drained of color.

Every word was deliberate.

Every word had been heard.

And she suddenly realized the meaning behind Ismeria’s carefully chosen words.

Those were the very standards she herself had just declared important.

It was over.

Not only had she ruined the match with Merlinspire, but now the Soren family was out of reach as well.

Why did I give birth to such a cursed daughter?

Even finding her a husband has become so damn difficult!

Elsewhere in the manor, in a small guest chamber beside the pavilion, Lillian had been settled temporarily.

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