Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Spilled Ink Plot

"Who is that girl?"

"I heard she’s the daughter of the Deputy of the King’s Treasury. They say she’s quite gifted with poetry. What terrible luck to have her work ruined."

"And the one who spilled the ink?"

"I’m not sure. Didn’t she arrive with the Duchess of Draevenor?"

"I saw everything. It looked intentional to me."

"Could the Duchess have instructed her?"

"I also heard the Duchess and the Crown Prince were once very close..."

The voices gradually died away, but the unspoken implications lingered heavily in the air.

Elysia’s brows drew together.

Below the dais, Lillian’s voice trembled as she tried to explain.

"I already apologized. I even offered you my own poem. But... you said it wasn’t good enough."

"Oh, stop pretending to be pitiful!"

The younger girl shoved Lillian sharply.

Caught completely off guard, Lillian staggered backward, nearly losing her footing.

Before she could fall, a steady hand caught her arm.

Maude.

The senior maid from Draevenor Manor calmly steadied her before helping her regain her balance.

At that moment, Elysia rose gracefully.

Her clear voice carried effortlessly throughout the hall.

"This gathering is a verse salon hosted personally by Her Majesty, with His Highness the Crown Prince in attendance. I’m certain no one wishes to disrupt such an occasion."

She looked toward the furious young lady.

"Lady Lillian made a mistake. She has already apologized. Continuing this dispute will not restore your poem..."

"It will only create unnecessary commotion and place Her Majesty in an awkward position."

She smiled gently.

"How about we leave the matter here?"

Every gaze in the hall shifted toward her.

Everyone present knew exactly who she was.

The Duchess of Draevenor.

Ever since Duke Cassiel had awakened, the prestige of Draevenor Manor had only continued to rise.

No one dared openly challenge her.

The young girl’s expression remained unhappy, but she finally lowered her head.

"Your Grace."

Elysia nodded kindly.

"I understand your frustration. You clearly devoted great effort to your poem. That is precisely why its loss hurts."

She paused before continuing.

"But the poem was written only moments ago. The verses should still be fresh in your memory. Take a moment to recall them..."

"Sometimes, what we rewrite from memory turns out even better than the original."

The girl’s anger gradually subsided.

She had no reasonable argument left.

After one last glare toward Lillian, she bowed.

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Grace."

Elysia returned the gesture with a small nod.

Then she turned to Lillian.

"Come with me."

Lillian lowered her head obediently.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Elysia first inclined her head toward Queen Ilara.

"Your Majesty, if you permit, I would like to step outside briefly."

Queen Ilara waved a graceful hand.

"Go ahead."

Elysia led Lillian from the hall.

As soon as they disappeared, the whispers quietly resumed behind them.

Queen Ilara leaned toward Vaelen with a knowing smile.

"It seems Duchess Elysia planned this from the beginning."

Vaelen frowned.

"Planned?"

"Creating a disturbance was merely an excuse."

Queen Ilara smiled knowingly.

"That girl is General Asheford’s daughter. She clearly wishes to draw your attention and recommend her for the Crown Prince’s Wing."

Vaelen’s eyes darkened.

He had reached exactly the same conclusion.

So...

Elysia still couldn’t let him go.

Unable to become his wife herself, she now wanted to place someone close to him instead.

Her indifference these past days...

It had all been an act.

She simply wanted to remain part of his life through another woman.

An amused smile curled across his lips.

How pitiful.

Ironically, that realization made him lose even more interest in her.

Compared to Elysia’s schemes...

The mysterious author Alhena—

or rather, the girl claiming to be Alhena—

Seemed far more fascinating.

___

Outside the hall, Elysia guided Lillian toward a quiet corner of the palace gardens.

A large ornamental rock cast cool shade over the area.

Elysia sat upon a smooth stone bench.

She looked directly at Lillian.

"Was today’s incident your mother’s idea?"

Lillian stiffened.

"I... I don’t know what Your Grace means."

Elysia’s gaze remained calm.

"Once someone starts using schemes like this... They rarely stop after only one. If you obeyed your mother today..."

"She’ll ask even more of you tomorrow."

She spoke without raising her voice.

"I helped you this time. But if you refuse to be honest with me..."

"I won’t interfere again."

Lillian’s face gradually lost its colour.

After a long silence, she lowered her head.

"My mother... said I have no talent for poetry. Whatever I wrote would only embarrass me before His Highness."

A bitter smile appeared on her lips.

"But she insisted I had to find some way..."

"...to make the Crown Prince notice me."

Elysia sighed inwardly.

"So you deliberately ruined another young lady’s poem."

Lillian nodded miserably.

Barely enough for the movement to be seen.

Elysia understood everything.

"Your mother wants you to marry into the Crown Prince’s Wing."

Lillian didn’t answer.

She simply lowered her head even further.

That silence was answer enough.

A flash of anger rose within Elysia.

Melissa truly never gave up.

First she had tried to push Lillian toward becoming the Duchess of Draevenor.

Now that had failed...

She had shifted her ambitions toward the position of Crown Princess.

Today’s little spectacle had done nothing except damage Draevenor Manor’s reputation.

Elysia studied Lillian carefully.

"And what do you want?"

Tears welled in Lillian’s eyes.

"I’m only good at embroidery. I’ve never dreamed of becoming Crown Princess. But..."

"My mother said if I refused... she would disown me..."

"I had no choice."

Elysia watched her quietly.

The fear...

The shame...

Neither appeared forced.

After a long pause, her expression softened.

"If everything you’ve told me is true... then listen carefully. When we return to Draevenor Manor, I’ll help arrange a proper marriage for you. A good husband. A respectable household. Once you’ve established your own family..."

"...your mother will no longer be able to control every part of your life."

Lillian looked up in astonishment.

Disbelief and hope shimmered together in her tear-filled eyes.

"You... You would truly help me?"

Elysia met her gaze without hesitation.

"I gave you my word. And I intend to keep it."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!