Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Returning the Cup

One of the Queen’s attendants hurried forward to help steady her.

Ilara barely noticed.

The strange heat coursing through her body was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Beside her, Sylrienne watched with a flicker of concern.

But it was only a flicker.

The moment her mother disappeared from sight, excitement quickly reclaimed its place.

A triumphant smile spread across her face.

She began counting silently on her fingers.

One.

Two.

Three.

Not much longer now.

Soon everyone would witness Elysia’s disgrace.

And once they did—

The Duchess of Draevenor would become the laughingstock of the entire kingdom.

---

Meanwhile, Elysia sat beneath a shaded colonnade overlooking the palace gardens.

Miriam stood nearby, lazily fanning her with a silk fan.

The afternoon air was warm.

Peaceful.

Almost pleasant.

At least until hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Elysia looked up.

Queen Ilara approached, supported by one of her attendants.

Her steps were unsteady.

A noticeable flush stained her cheeks.

Far more vivid than simple embarrassment or ordinary wine.

Elysia rose immediately.

"Your Majesty."

Concern softened her features.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"Nothing to worry about. Just had a little too much wine."

Ilara attempted a smile.

It did not quite succeed though.

"I’ll just rest briefly."

Even speaking required considerable effort now.

Her thoughts felt strangely sluggish.

As though wrapped in layers of wool.

Then her gaze shifted past Elysia.

A small frown appeared.

"Wasn’t Princess Sylrienne’s maid supposed to accompany you? Where is Autumn?"

Elysia’s expression never changed.

"I sent her to fetch a sobering draught from the royal physician."

A perfectly reasonable answer.

Yet something about the situation felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Unfortunately, Ilara could no longer think clearly enough to determine why.

Heat pulsed beneath her skin and an uncomfortable pressure settled low in her abdomen.

Without realizing it, she started tugging at the collar of her gown.

The fabric suddenly felt suffocating.

"You should rest."

Elysia’s voice was gentle.

"The antechamber is nearby. Autumn will likely return with the physician’s remedy soon."

At that moment, rest sounded wonderful.

Ilara nodded.

"Perhaps..."

Supported by her attendant, she slowly turned toward the side chambers.

Elysia watched her go.

The concern vanished from her face.

Only cold silence remained.

Earlier, while Sylrienne focused all her attention on ensuring Elysia drank from the correct goblet, she had never once considered another possibility.

Goblets could be exchanged.

And once exchanged—

The trap no longer belonged to Elysia.

It belonged to someone else.

A bitter memory surfaced.

In her previous life, even after the truth emerged, Ilara had never truly punished her daughter.

Not really.

Instead, she had questioned Elysia.

"How could you not know what you were drinking?"

"The body is your own. Could you not control yourself?"

The memory still burned.

Now, as Ilara disappeared through the doorway, Elysia’s eyes remained cold.

Your turn, Your Majesty.

Tell me...

Can you control your own body?

"Let’s go."

Miriam nodded.

The two women left the colonnade together.

But instead of returning to the banquet hall, Elysia headed deeper into the palace.

Toward the King’s study.

There were certain matters His Majesty deserved to witness personally.

Unfortunately, fate seemed determined to test her patience.

Halfway there, someone stepped into her path.

Elysia stopped.

Vaelen.

Of course.

The moment she recognized him, she immediately stepped to the side.

Intent on continuing past without a word.

"Stop."

His voice cut through the corridor.

Elysia suppressed a sigh.

Slowly, she turned back.

The Crown Prince’s expression was unreadable.

"I just came from Father’s study"

His gaze lingered on her.

"I hear Uncle Cassiel has fully awakened."

"He has."

A simple answer.

Nothing more.

Yet something about her calmness irritated him.

"Then perhaps you should be more careful."

Elysia blinked.

"Careful of what?"

"Of your behaviour outside Draevenor manor."

His tone sharpened.

"You’ve only just become the Duchess of Draevenor. Throwing your weight around at the palace gates, humiliating noblewomen. If word reaches my uncle—"

"He already knows."

Vaelen stopped.

Elysia smiled pleasantly.

"My husband is aware of everything."

The words husband and wife seemed to strike a nerve.

His jaw tightened.

"You speak as though he cares for you."

The contempt in his voice was unmistakable.

"If he did, where was he today?"

Elysia merely raised an eyebrow.

"He had important business."

"Exactly."

Vaelen laughed.

A cold sound, devoid of any humour.

"His affairs are more important than you."

The words came faster now.

Sharper.

More personal.

"My uncle already has someone in his heart. Do you honestly believe you could replace that person he has cherished for so many years?"

Elysia regarded him quietly.

Then she smiled.

"Whether my husband likes me or dislikes me is a matter between husband and wife. It has nothing to do with Your Highness."

The response landed like a slap.

"Move aside. I need to see His Majesty."

Vaelen’s expression darkened further. For a moment, he did not move.

Something restless flickered behind his eyes.

Then he stepped closer.

Invading her personal space.

Too close for comfort.

"And Reeve?"

Elysia stared.

"What about him?"

"The entire palace is talking."

His voice lowered.

"You meet him privately, defend him and let him defend you."

The accusation was absurd enough that Elysia nearly laughed.

"Oh?"

"And if Cassiel hears about that?"

Vaelen pressed.

"What do you think he’ll do?"

"Mm."

Elysia nodded thoughtfully.

"A terrifying prospect."

The complete lack of concern in her voice only aggravated him further.

His patience finally snapped.

"Elysia."

His eyes narrowed.

"Don’t think I don’t know."

She waited for the next absurd thing to pop out of his mouth.

"You’ve hidden a man inside Draevenor Manor."

For the first time during the entire conversation—

Elysia actually paused.

"A stable boy."

Oh.

Him.

She had nearly forgotten.

After everything that had happened these past few days, the matter had slipped entirely from her mind.

But if Vaelen knew...

Then someone had been busy.

Melissa.

Roxana.

Perhaps both.

The realization settled quietly into place.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

A slow smile touched Elysia’s lips.

Another debt had just been added to the ledger.

And sooner or later—

She intended to collect every last coin.

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