Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: A Voice from Another Life

Cassiel’s brow furrowed slightly.

The expression was subtle, but Elysia immediately interpreted it as displeasure.

Instinctively, she pulled the blanket a little higher.

If he doesn’t agree, then forget it.

It’s not important.

Before she could retreat any further into her thoughts, Cassiel spoke.

"You don’t need to ask permission for everything."

Elysia blinked.

"What?"

Cassiel closed the book resting on his lap.

"I entrusted the stewardship of Draevenor Manor to you."

His gaze settled steadily on hers.

"That includes its servants, guards, and resources."

Elysia listened attentively.

"If you require guards, take them."

Cassiel’s tone remained calm and matter-of-fact.

"If you require ten guards, take ten. If you require twenty, take twenty."

A faint crease appeared between his brows.

"Seeking approval over every trivial matter makes it sound as though I’m keeping you under lock and key."

Elysia hurriedly shook her head.

"I never thought that."

"Then stop behaving as though you do."

The words weren’t harsh.

If anything, they sounded mildly exasperated.

"You are the Duchess of Draevenor."

His voice lowered.

"Act like it."

Something warm spread through Elysia’s chest.

She nodded seriously.

"I understand."

Cassiel waited.

Elysia smiled.

"In public, I’ll conduct myself properly and uphold Draevenor Manor’s reputation."

Cassiel felt a headache coming on.

That wasn’t what he’d meant at all.

But before he could explain further, Elysia continued.

"And if anyone asks, I’ll make certain they know how generous and trusting my husband is."

The headache worsened.

She still didn’t understand.

Not even a little.

Fortunately, exhaustion finally overtook her.

A small yawn escaped her lips.

"Oh, and the gift for Princess Sylrienne is already prepared..."

Her voice grew softer.

"I’ll present it on behalf of Draevenor Manor..."

The sentence faded away completely.

A moment later, she was asleep.

Cassiel stared at her for several seconds.

Then sighed quietly.

It seemed like he had a long road ahead of him.

He set his book aside.

With a flick of his fingers, he extinguished the lamp.

Darkness settled over the room.

__

Cassiel’s recovery remained known only to a select few.

The news was deliberately kept from Rose Hall and several branches of the family.

For the next two days, Elysia devoted herself entirely to his care.

Every morning she supervised medicinal broths.

Every afternoon she reviewed estate affairs.

Every evening she personally prepared nourishing meals.

By the third day, the results were obvious.

Color had returned to Cassiel’s face.

The sharp hollows beneath his cheekbones had softened.

Strength slowly returned to his body.

The servants whispered excitedly that the Duke looked more like himself with each passing day.

Soon enough, Princess Sylrienne’s birthday arrived.

Before departing for the palace, Elysia hovered beside Cassiel one final time.

"Drink the medicinal broth before you leave."

Cassiel nodded.

"Alright."

She adjusted the collar of his cloak.

"The weather feels strange today. It may rain."

Cassiel glanced down at her hand.

"I’ll bring an oiled cloak."

Elysia looked relieved.

After a brief pause, she added,

"If the palace serves anything especially delicious, I’ll bring some back for you."

Something unexpectedly softened inside Cassiel.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then he answered quietly.

"Alright."

Only after receiving his agreement did Elysia finally climb into her carriage.

As it rolled away from Draevenor Manor, she felt some of her nervousness return.

The banquet.

The palace.

The memories she would rather forget.

But then she glanced at the two mounted guards riding alongside her carriage.

Both were personal guards selected by Cassiel himself.

The sight eased her nerves considerably.

At least this time, she wouldn’t be facing everything alone.

__

The palace was already overflowing with guests by the time she arrived.

The celebration marked not only Princess Sylrienne’s birthday but also her formal introduction into high society.

Nearly every influential family in Aveanlor had received an invitation.

Nobles.

Officials.

Military commanders.

Members of the royal family.

The roads approaching the palace were packed with carriages.

Because of the crowds, even the main ceremonial gate had been opened.

Draevenor Manor’s carriage eventually joined the queue approaching the southwestern entrance.

The line crawled forward at a miserable pace.

Elysia lifted the curtain and glanced outside.

"There’s no need to rush."

She addressed the coachman calmly.

"We’ll follow the queue like everyone else."

Then she looked toward the guards.

"No unnecessary conflicts."

Both men bowed.

"As you command, Your Grace."

The summer heat was oppressive.

Even inside the well-ventilated carriage, sweat gathered lightly along Elysia’s brow.

She quietly fanned herself and waited.

At last, the line began moving.

Their carriage was just about to pass through the gate when—

"Whoa!"

The coachman’s shout rang out.

The carriage jerked violently.

Elysia was thrown forward.

Her forehead struck the wooden frame with a painful thud.

She winced.

"What happened?"

Outrage colored the coachman’s voice.

"Someone cut directly into the queue, Your Grace!"

Outside, a heated argument had already begun.

"We were already moving!"

"If I hadn’t stopped, we’d have collided!"

A disdainful voice answered immediately.

"The road belongs to everyone."

The tone dripped with arrogance.

"Your carriage was moving like a funeral procession. If everyone traveled at your pace, we’d still be waiting after sunset."

Elysia frowned.

Something about that voice felt familiar.

She pushed open the carriage door and stepped outside.

The moment she saw the crest on the opposite carriage, recognition flashed through her mind.

The Corvis family.

Her expression cooled.

Years ago, Gideon Corvis had been little more than one of her father’s advisers.

Her father had promoted him repeatedly.

Recommended him.

Protected him.

Eventually, Gideon had risen all the way to Lord Chancellor.

With power came prestige.

And with prestige came ambition.

The Corvis family had risen rapidly through the ranks of Caelvyr’s nobility.

The opposite carriage door opened.

A familiar young woman stepped down.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

Perfectly dressed.

Elysia recognized her instantly.

Deborah Corvis.

For a brief moment, memories surfaced.

There had been a time when Deborah followed her everywhere.

A time when she called her "Lady Elysia" with genuine admiration.

A time when she covered for Elysia’s secret outings with Crown Prince Vaelen Drakemont.

But those days belonged to another life.

And judging by the expression on Deborah’s face now, she remembered them very differently.

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