Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: A Beautiful Trap

Elysia paused.

Then she asked instinctively,

"Did she have those gentlemen beat her husband to vent her anger?"

For a moment, Bertha looked completely caught off guard.

In Aveanlor, young noblewomen were usually taught about marriage shortly before their wedding day.

Older female relatives would explain in detail the matters between husband and wife.

How to behave.

How to manage a household.

How to bear children.

But Elysia’s circumstances had been different.

When her parents were alive, she had been far too young.

By the time she reached marriageable age, there had been no one left to guide her.

In her previous life, she had married Vaelen.

Yet they had never shared a bed.

She died without ever understanding what intimacy between husband and wife truly meant.

There were many things she simply didn’t know.

Bertha coughed awkwardly.

Then she chose her words carefully.

"No. She didn’t harm her husband."

A strange expression crossed her face.

"Instead... she found comfort elsewhere."

Elysia blinked.

Bertha lowered her voice.

"She’s known for meeting men outside her marriage. Sometimes she sneaks out to meet them. Other times, she sneaks them into her own residence."

Heat immediately rushed to Elysia’s face.

Only now did she fully understand what Bertha had been implying earlier.

Bertha continued,

"After General Asheford died, Lady Roxana began visiting Draevenor Manor frequently. At that time, His Grace was still healthy. She constantly brought medicinal soups and nourishing broths."

The older woman snorted.

"As though feeding him enough stew would make him marry her."

Elysia looked surprised.

"She was really that persistent?"

Bertha nodded.

"There was one occasion when she went even further."

She glanced around before continuing.

"She entered His Grace’s chambers in the middle of the night and climbed into his bed naked."

Elysia nearly choked.

Bertha looked thoroughly unimpressed.

"His Grace was furious. He ordered her thrown out immediately and forbade her from entering the manor ever again."

Elysia finally understood.

No wonder Bertha seemed so worried.

Now that Cassiel was unconscious, Roxana might believe she had another opportunity.

"Ever since the royal decree announced your marriage," Bertha continued, "she’s been coming here more often."

"And now she’s back again."

Her concern was obvious.

"If she tries something similar..."

Bertha left the sentence unfinished.

Elysia, however, remained calm.

"There won’t be any trouble."

Bertha blinked.

Elysia smiled faintly.

"I already took the access medallion from Lady Melissa. Without it, no one enters our courtyard. Not even Roxana."

Satisfied, she continued walking.

"Come on. I’m sure His Grace is perfectly safe."

—

Meanwhile, inside Rose Hall...

Roxana lounged across a couch as though she owned the place.

Her posture was lazy.

Deliberately alluring.

A bowl of fresh grapes rested beside her.

One by one, she peeled them and dropped them into her mouth.

Across from her, Melissa grew increasingly irritated.

"You’ve become quite comfortable."

Roxana didn’t even look up.

Melissa folded her arms.

"Does the Earl’s household no longer provide food? Had to come all the way here to eat my grapes?"

Roxana smiled.

"Mother, you aren’t angry at me."

She popped another grape into her mouth.

"You’re angry because the new Duchess embarrassed you."

Melissa’s expression darkened instantly.

"Don’t mention her."

The words practically exploded from her mouth.

"That little girl! She’s only been here a few days. Yet she already dares threaten me."

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Last night she had summoned Lucien and demanded an explanation.

Only then had she learned the truth.

Lucien hadn’t gone there to assassinate Cassiel.

He had gone after Elysia.

The entire accusation had been twisted into something far larger.

And before Melissa could defend herself, Elysia had already used the incident to seize the access medallion.

Even now, the humiliation burned.

She shoved Roxana’s shoulder.

"Stop eating! If that girl takes control of Draevenor Manor, where do you think your money will come from?"

At those words, Roxana’s eyes finally sharpened.

Slowly, she swallowed the grape in her mouth.

Then she dabbed her lips with a silk handkerchief.

"Don’t worry."

A mysterious smile appeared.

"Everything is already arranged."

Melissa frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Roxana’s smile widened.

"I’ve spent years trapped in an unhappy marriage. I know exactly how lonely a woman can become."

She leaned back comfortably.

"You think I don’t understand Elysia? Today, I brought something special. A little gift just for her."

Melissa stared.

"What gift?"

Roxana only smiled.

A slow, confident and dangerous smile.

"My trump card. Trust me, she’ll never see it coming."

—

At that very moment, Elysia was walking back toward her courtyard.

Suddenly, a furious shout rang out ahead.

"You little thief! How dare you steal from Lord Lucien!"

A loud thud followed.

Then another.

And another.

The unmistakable sound of someone being beaten.

Elysia’s expression changed immediately.

She quickened her pace.

Passing through the moon gate, she spotted the scene at once.

A large servant stood over a boy curled tightly on the ground.

Each kick landed with brutal force.

The boy wrapped his arms around his head.

Protecting himself as best he could.

Yet throughout the beating, he never cried out.

Not once.

Elysia frowned.

Before she could speak, Bertha stepped forward.

"Enough!"

Her sharp voice echoed through the courtyard.

The servant froze immediately.

Then he bowed hurriedly.

"Your Grace."

Elysia approached.

"What is happening here?"

The servant pointed angrily toward the boy.

"This brat stole from Lord Lucien. I caught him red-handed!"

Elysia glanced at the boy.

Then back at the servant.

"If you recovered the stolen item, why continue beating him?"

The servant hesitated.

Before he could answer, a rough laugh interrupted him.

The sound came from the ground.

Slowly...

The boy pushed himself upright.

Blood stained the corner of his mouth.

Bruises darkened one side of his face.

Yet somehow, he was still laughing.

A strange laugh.

One that immediately made Elysia stop and look at him more carefully.

Something about him felt... unusual.

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