Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Ivory Scepter
While the physician examined Elysia’s injuries, Cassiel left the bedchamber.
The moment the door closed behind him, a shadow detached itself from the corridor.
A man dressed entirely in black dropped to one knee.
Cassiel looked down at him.
This was one of his shadow guards.
While everyone knew he had assigned two visible guards to accompany Elysia, few knew he had also ordered a shadow guard to follow her discreetly.
Purely for protection.
Or so he had told himself.
Unfortunately, protection had proven necessary.
Just not in the way he had expected.
Cassiel’s expression darkened slightly.
He knew about Elysia’s history with Vaelen.
Everyone in the capital knew.
Once upon a time, she had been destined for the Crown Prince’s Wing.
Instead, she had become the Duchess of Draevenor.
What he did not know was why.
And that question had been irritating him ever since waking up.
When Vaelen entered the chamber earlier, the look in the Crown Prince’s eyes had not escaped his notice.
That was not the gaze of a man who felt nothing.
Nor was it the gaze of a man who had moved on.
The memory alone was enough to sour Cassiel’s mood.
"You followed the Duchess all day?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
Cassiel folded his arms.
"Then tell me exactly what happened."
The shadow guard hesitated briefly.
"Everything?"
"Everything."
The guard lowered his head.
"Yes, Your Grace."
Before he could begin, Bran spoke up.
"Your Grace."
Cassiel glanced sideways.
Bran rubbed the back of his neck.
"You don’t actually suspect Her Grace, do you?"
Cassiel’s gaze returned to the shadow guard.
"I suspect circumstances."
The answer did little to reassure Bran.
"You know she nearly crippled herself saving the Crown Prince years ago."
Cassiel’s expression remained unchanged.
"I know."
The corridor fell silent.
Bran shifted awkwardly.
"But that was years ago."
He cleared his throat.
"People change."
Cassiel said nothing.
Bran gathered his courage.
"Besides, Her Grace clearly dislikes him now."
Still silence.
Bran pressed on.
"You are more handsome."
Cassiel slowly turned his head.
Bran immediately regretted speaking.
"You are more accomplished."
Cassiel continued staring.
"You are favored by His Majesty."
Bran’s confidence began evaporating.
"You command the army."
Cassiel’s eyes narrowed.
Bran swallowed.
"So... logically speaking... why would she choose the Crown Prince over you?"
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Cassiel frowned deeply.
He looked genuinely disturbed.
"Bran."
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Are you certain you aren’t interested in men?"
Bran nearly choked.
The shadow guard’s shoulders twitched.
For the first time since arriving, he looked close to laughter.
"I am not!"
Bran took several hurried steps backward.
"Absolutely not."
Cassiel studied him.
"Good."
Bran stared.
Good?
That was all?
Cassiel looked away.
"You had me concerned."
The shadow guard lowered his head even further.
His shoulders were definitely shaking now.
Bran felt deeply wronged.
Ignoring him entirely, Cassiel turned back to the kneeling guard.
"Report."
The shadow guard immediately sobered.
Beginning with Elysia’s departure from the banquet hall, he recounted every detail.
Nothing was omitted.
Not the confrontation with Vaelen.
Nor the argument.
He narrated the exact words exchanged between them.
Cassiel listened quietly.
The more he heard, the less pleasant his expression became.
Then came the part about the stable hand.
"If I truly had feelings for you, wouldn’t I treat a man who resembles you like a treasure?"
Cassiel’s eyebrow lifted slightly.
The guard continued.
"Why would I have him shoveling manure in the stables?"
Bran almost laughed.
Almost.
Then came another statement.
"My admiration for Duke Cassiel Drakemont is genuine."
The corridor grew still.
The shadow guard continued.
"Marrying him was a considered choice. Never a whim."
For the first time since the report began, Cassiel’s fingers paused against the armrest.
Bran noticed immediately.
The shadow guard pressed on.
Then came Vaelen’s response.
"The sight of you disgusts me."
Cassiel’s expression cooled.
"How could I possibly regret anything?"
Colder.
"I’m overjoyed you’re no longer clinging to me."
By the time the report ended, the corridor had become uncomfortably quiet.
Bran wisely kept his mouth shut.
The shadow guard remained kneeling.
Cassiel leaned back slightly.
A strange mixture of relief and confusion settled inside him.
Relief because Elysia clearly felt nothing for Vaelen.
Confusion because of something else entirely.
A considered choice.
The words lingered.
When exactly had she made that choice?
Why him?
Of all people, why him?
The answer remained elusive.
The silence stretched until the bedchamber door finally opened.
The palace physician emerged carrying his medical case.
"The Duchess’s injuries are minor."
Cassiel immediately looked up.
The physician smiled reassuringly.
"She should avoid water for several days and apply the medicinal salve regularly."
Cassiel nodded.
"Good."
The physician took several steps before stopping abruptly.
"Oh."
He reached into his sleeve.
"I nearly forgot."
A small white porcelain jar appeared in his hands.
"The salve."
He offered it respectfully.
"For Her Grace’s back."
Cassiel accepted it.
The physician bowed and departed.
Bran followed him out to see him off.
The shadow guard disappeared as silently as he had arrived.
Soon, only Cassiel remained in the corridor.
He looked down at the porcelain jar resting in his palm.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
At least that physician possessed some sense.
Inside the room, Elysia’s attention had already returned to her newest treasure.
The ivory scepter.
She opened the box again.
Then again.
And perhaps one more time.
The gems caught the afternoon sunlight beautifully.
The longer she stared at it, the more pleased she became.
Eventually, she decided such a valuable object deserved a proper home.
Carrying the box carefully, she examined every shelf and cabinet in the room.
Too high.
Too low.
Too exposed.
Too dusty.
After several minutes of serious consideration, she finally settled on the second shelf of a tall display cabinet.
Satisfied, she placed the box inside.
Then immediately opened it again.
Just to look.
Her fingers traced the intricate carvings.
The ivory was cool and smooth beneath her touch.
A contented smile spread across her face.
For the moment, all thoughts of palace schemes, troublesome princes, and difficult marriages faded away.
There was only Elysia.
And her beautiful ivory scepter.
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