Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Stumbling Hearts at Sunset

Elysia opened her mouth.

Then closed it again.

In her previous life, Princess Sylrienne’s birthday banquet had ended tragically for her.

And some things were best left buried.

Having lived through that disaster once already, Elysia had no desire to repeat it.

If Cassiel attended, everything would be different.

No one would dare treat her the same way.

No one would dare humiliate the Duchess of Draevenor Manor in front of its master.

But Cassiel had already said he had important business that day.

Military business.

Matters that concerned the safety of the kingdom.

Compared to that, her worries seemed small.

Besides, Cassiel allowing her to remain in Draevenor Manor was already an act of generosity.

She had learned long ago what happened when she asked too much of a man.

So she swallowed the request.

"Alright."

Cassiel studied her face.

She had hidden her disappointment quickly.

But not quickly enough.

Just as she turned to leave—

"Wait."

Elysia paused.

She looked back.

"Yes, my lord?"

Cassiel glanced at the table.

"Do you dislike your own cooking?"

The question caught her completely off guard.

"What?"

"You prepared all of this."

His gaze swept across the dishes.

"And yet you’ve been standing there watching me eat."

Realization dawned.

"Oh."

A faint smile touched Cassiel’s lips.

"Sit down."

Elysia blinked.

Cassiel tapped the chair opposite him.

"It’s dull eating alone."

For a moment, she simply stared.

Then slowly sat down.

The movement felt strangely unfamiliar.

Almost awkward.

Because no one had ever invited her to share a meal before.

Not like this.

Not as an equal.

In her previous life, whenever Vaelen returned to the palace in a foul mood, she would rush into the kitchens the moment she heard he had arrived.

She knew every one of his preferences.

He disliked excessive spice.

Preferred subtly sweet flavors.

Enjoyed tender meat and soft pastries.

She memorized them all.

If the meal pleased him, his temper might improve.

If it didn’t—

Her fingers tightened slightly around her utensils.

"Too salty."

"Overcooked."

"Cold."

She could still hear his criticisms.

And every time, she would stand beside him while he ate.

Serving.

Refilling.

Apologizing.

Promising to do better.

Never once had Vaelen invited her to sit beside him.

Never once had they shared a table.

The realization struck her unexpectedly.

Cassiel wasn’t asking her to serve him.

He was asking her to eat with him.

Something warm settled quietly inside her chest.

From across the table, Cassiel watched the subtle shift in her expression.

The way her shoulders relaxed.

The way the tension around her eyes eased.

He said nothing.

Instead, he simply picked up his spoon and continued eating.

Elysia followed suit.

The meal passed in comfortable silence.

Outside, evening slowly settled over Draevenor Manor.

The fading sunlight painted the room gold.

By the time they finished eating, lamps had already been lit.

Elysia lifted a cup of water to her lips.

Then froze.

A horrifying realization suddenly struck her.

Cassiel was awake.

Awake.

Entirely awake.

Which meant—

They couldn’t keep pretending the situation was the same as before.

For weeks she had shared his bed without thinking too deeply about it.

He had been unconscious.

It had simply seemed practical.

Necessary.

But now?

Now he could talk.

Look at her.

Tease her.

Touch her.

Remember things.

Elysia stared into her cup.

Her face slowly began to heat.

Across from her, Cassiel observed the entire process with growing amusement.

Her thoughts were written plainly across her face. Cassiel had to restrain a chuckle.

After a moment, he decided to help her along.

"Elysia."

She nearly dropped the cup.

"Y-yes?"

Cassiel rested one arm against the table.

"When I was unconscious..."

His voice remained perfectly calm.

"Where were you sleeping?"

Elysia’s face immediately turned red.

"I..."

Cassiel waited patiently.

"... was sleeping... beside you."

A thoughtful hum escaped him.

Elysia lowered her eyes.

"If you find that inappropriate..."

She gathered her courage.

"Bran also prepared a bed in the adjoining room. I can sleep there instead."

Cassiel didn’t even hesitate.

"No."

Her head lifted.

"No?"

"You’ll stay here."

The answer arrived so quickly that it left no room for argument.

Elysia blinked.

Her fingers tightened around the cup.

Cassiel calmly rose from the table.

"As my wife."

The simple statement sent her heart stumbling.

Before she could recover, he had already turned away.

Leaving her sitting there in stunned silence.

That evening, after finishing her preparations, Elysia returned to the bedchamber.

Cassiel was already there.

A book rested in one hand.

The soft glow of lamplight illuminated his profile.

He appeared entirely absorbed in his reading.

Elysia stopped beside the bed.

"My lord."

Cassiel turned a page.

"Yes?"

She hesitated.

Then quietly announced,

"I’m coming into bed."

"Take your time."

The words left his mouth automatically.

A heartbeat later, he paused.

Then slowly looked up.

Elysia was still standing there.

The absurdity of the exchange struck him all at once.

I’m coming into bed.

Take your time.

Neither of them seemed to know what to do with that.

Cassiel looked back at his book.

Elysia climbed into bed as quickly as possible.

If she noticed the corner of his mouth twitching, she pretended not to.

For several minutes, silence settled over the room.

Cassiel stared at the same page without reading a single word.

Elysia hid beneath her blanket.

Then finally—

"My lord?"

Cassiel looked over.

She appeared nervous again.

"What is it?"

Elysia hesitated.

Then gathered her courage.

"Could I borrow two of your guards for Princess Sylrienne’s birthday banquet?"

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