Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: A Cracked Pearl

Sylrienne trembled where she knelt, her forehead nearly touching the floor.

A wave of bitter regret washed through her.

She never should have targeted Elysia.

If she had known things would end this way, she never would have acted at all.

Who could have predicted that Uncle Cassiel would openly take Elysia’s side?

He had never involved himself in anyone else’s affairs before.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that Elysia had somehow bewitched him.

Cassiel paid her no attention.

His gaze shifted from Sylrienne to the kneeling maid.

The maid immediately began shaking harder.

Then his eyes moved to the two palace guards.

Neither man dared meet his gaze.

Cassiel hadn’t spoken a single word.

He didn’t need to.

The quiet authority surrounding him was enough to suffocate the room.

Even the two broad-shouldered guards lowered their heads in fear.

"Cassiel..."

Queen Ilara finally gathered the courage to speak.

Taking a steady breath, she forced herself to meet his eyes.

"Since the Duchess came to no harm and wasn’t actually injured, perhaps this should remain an internal palace matter."

Cassiel’s eyebrow lifted slightly.

"A moment ago, Your Majesty invoked the bond between His Majesty and myself, urging my wife not to trouble me with this matter."

His tone remained calm.

"Now it has become an internal palace matter from which I should be excluded."

His gaze settled on Queen Ilara.

"I have spent most of my life on battlefields. My thinking is admittedly simple."

A faint pause followed.

"Would Your Majesty clarify whether I am considered His Majesty’s brother or not?"

The colour drained from Queen Ilara’s face.

King Zephyrus immediately shot her a warning glance.

Few people understood better than he did what Cassiel meant to the kingdom.

His throne had been secured through countless campaigns fought by his younger brother.

Even now, with unrest brewing along the northern borders, the kingdom depended upon him.

To imply that Cassiel had no standing in this matter was not only insulting—it was foolish.

Cassiel continued before Queen Ilara could answer.

"The only reason we are having this discussion is because my wife escaped unharmed."

A faint smile touched his lips.

It contained no warmth whatsoever.

"Had she suffered real harm, heads would already be rolling within these palace walls."

The room fell silent.

His voice had never risen.

Yet the threat carried enough weight to make everyone uneasy.

Queen Ilara wanted to argue.

Wanted to accuse him of overstepping.

But King Zephyrus spoke first.

"Cassiel, you needn’t trouble yourself."

The King waved a hand.

"I would have dealt with them myself."

His expression darkened.

"And severely."

Queen Ilara closed her eyes.

The matter was beyond salvaging now.

Nearby, Elysia quietly watched as Autumn and the two guards were finally forced to confess everything.

She watched King Zephyrus’ anger erupt as the full truth emerged.

She watched him sentence Sylrienne to six months of strict confinement, forbidden from leaving her quarters without explicit permission.

She watched the princess break down into ugly, heaving sobs.

The sight stirred no sympathy in Elysia. She had spent a lifetime being blamed for things she had never done, and watching Sylrienne finally face consequences felt almost surreal.

Several times Sylrienne’s gaze shot towards Elysia, filled with resentment and hatred.

Yet every time her eyes met Cassiel’s, she immediately lowered her head again.

King Zephyrus was equally furious with Queen Ilara.

His promise to protect Elysia was still fresh in his mind.

Learning that such a vicious scheme had been directed at the Duchess of Draevenor right under his nose only made matters worse.

Especially before Cassiel, of all people.

The King’s anger quickly shifted towards his wife.

He blamed years of indulgence and poor discipline for Sylrienne’s conduct.

Still weak from the effects of the drugged wine, Queen Ilara slid from the chaise and knelt before him.

She repeatedly lowered her head, asking for forgiveness.

"Satisfied?"

The quiet question startled Elysia.

She turned to find Cassiel watching her.

For a moment, she felt strangely embarrassed.

As though he had seen straight through her.

Still, she answered honestly.

"Mm."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you, my lord."

The corners of Cassiel’s mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.

The answer clearly pleased him.

At least she knows how to say thank you.

Then his gaze shifted.

His expression changed.

"You’re injured."

Elysia blinked.

How did he know?

Cassiel tilted his head slightly.

"Your earring."

Instinctively, Elysia touched her ear.

The pearl drop hanging from her left earring had cracked cleanly in half.

Realisation dawned.

It must have happened when Vaelen shoved her against the wall earlier.

"Who hurt you?"

Cassiel’s voice grew noticeably colder.

Elysia hesitated.

Should she mention Vaelen now?

The timing felt wrong.

King Zephyrus had just punished his daughter.

Bringing up his son immediately afterwards might create unnecessary tension.

No matter how close the brothers were, one of them was still the King.

After a brief moment of consideration, she shook her head.

"It’s nothing—"

"Father. Mother."

The familiar voice interrupted her.

Everyone turned.

Vaelen stood in the doorway.

The moment he saw Cassiel, he froze.

Fear flashed across his face so quickly that he couldn’t hide it.

The childhood dread he felt towards his uncle remained firmly intact.

Cassiel raised an eyebrow.

"You’ve grown taller."

His voice was mild.

"But have forgotten your manners."

Vaelen’s jaw tightened.

Suppressing his discomfort, he bowed his head.

"Uncle."

Cassiel looked at him expectantly.

"And?"

Vaelen paused.

Then he finally noticed Elysia standing beside the wheelchair.

Something unpleasant twisted inside his chest.

Elysia’s dark hair was elegantly pinned up.

Her violet silk gown shimmered beneath the light, embroidered with delicate gold patterns along the sleeves.

Cassiel wore a tunic of nearly the same shade.

Standing side by side, they looked unexpectedly well-matched.

The realisation struck harder than it should have.

A sharp ache spread through his chest.

As though something that once belonged to him had quietly slipped beyond his reach.

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