Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The True Disgrace

Clara answered respectfully, "Lady Melissa and Lady Lillian are waiting in the reception hall. They requested tea and pastries. After consulting Your Grace, they were served."

Cassiel’s gaze shifted toward Elysia.

"And why are they in the reception hall?"

Elysia finished the last bite of her savoury pie before answering honestly.

"Lady Melissa wants me to find an opportunity to present Lillian before Her Majesty and the Crown Prince. She hopes Lillian can become a candidate for Crown Princess."

A faint, incredulous chuckle escaped Cassiel.

"She certainly has an active imagination."

He set down his chopsticks.

"Finish your breakfast. I’ll speak with them afterward."

Elysia looked at him for a moment before saying softly, "Then... I’ll accompany you if that’s alright, my lord."

Cassiel nodded.

"As you wish."

After breakfast, Elysia wheeled him toward the reception hall.

Inside, Melissa had already finished nearly an entire pot of tea along with most of the pastries.

She was just debating with herself whether to ask for more when footsteps sounded from outside the hall.

Immediately, she rose with a broad smile.

"Your Grace, you can’t simply leave us waiting like this. There are some matters we still need to—"

Her words died abruptly.

Cassiel entered the hall first.

The moment she met his cold, expressionless gaze, her confidence vanished.

Fear instinctively crept into her heart.

She unconsciously took two steps backward before forcing a strained smile on her face.

"Y-Your Grace... I didn’t realize you were still at the manor."

Cassiel regarded her coolly.

"Aunt, this is no longer the first—or even the second—time you’ve troubled my wife."

Melissa’s eyes widened innocently.

"Troubled her? I would never. How could you think such a thing?"

Cassiel leaned back calmly in his wheelchair.

"Then explain why you’re here."

Melissa cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Yesterday, Her Grace kindly took Lillian to the palace verse salon. The child was inexperienced and caused a small misunderstanding. I simply brought her here today to apologize."

Cassiel raised an eyebrow.

"So you apologized. And then decided to stay here?"

His eyes drifted toward the empty teacups and bare pastry plates.

"It seems you’ve made yourself quite comfortable."

He gave a deliberate pause before asking evenly, "Would you also like us to prepare a guest room so you can spend the night?"

Melissa’s expression stiffened.

The next moment, tears immediately filled her eyes.

"So this is how it is... Now that you’re married and more powerful than ever, you’ve forgotten your uncle’s family. Your uncle loved you as though you were his own son. Whatever you wanted, he would find a way to give it to you. He followed you onto the battlefield and died saving your life. When his body was brought home... There wasn’t a single patch of skin left unharmed."

She lowered herself heavily into a chair, dabbing dramatically at her eyes.

"And what remains? A helpless widow... And her fatherless children. I’ve never asked for wealth or power. I only wish for my daughter to have a good marriage. Is that truly such a terrible request?"

She looked accusingly toward Elysia.

"Her Grace comes from the noble House of Hartwell. Naturally, she looks down upon ordinary people like us. I can tolerate being ignored by her. But you..."

She turned back toward Cassiel.

"I’m your aunt. How can you treat me like this? Have you forgotten your uncle’s kindness? If he is watching from heaven... Will he ever know peace?"

Standing behind Cassiel, Elysia felt her heart sink.

Had she acted too impulsively by bringing this matter before him?

General Benedict had been Cassiel’s uncle.

More than that...

He had died saving Cassiel’s life.

Faced with such an emotional appeal...

Would Cassiel truly choose her side?

She had only been his wife for such a short time.

Then...

A quiet laugh broke the silence.

It came from Cassiel.

He looked at Melissa calmly.

"Aunt, in this world, the one who cries the loudest is not necessarily the one who is right."

Melissa’s sobbing stopped abruptly.

Even Elysia looked at him in surprise.

Cassiel’s expression remained perfectly composed.

"You are mistaken about one thing. You say I have become powerful now and turned my back on you."

He gave a faint, almost mocking smile.

"I was born into the imperial family. I did not become powerful. I am the power others seek."

Melissa’s lips parted, but no words came out.

"You are correct about one matter though. I am indeed married now. When Uncle passed away, I immediately brought you and your children into Draevenor Manor. At that time, I had no wife, so I temporarily entrusted the household to you. For all these years..."

He fixed Melissa with a sharp gaze.

"The gifts you’ve accepted. The silver you’ve quietly kept. Did you truly think I knew nothing? I overlooked it only out of respect for Uncle."

He paused briefly.

"Your son repeatedly caused trouble outside. Who settled every incident for him? And your eldest daughter..."

"How many lovers has she taken since marrying into the Earl’s Manor? In any ordinary household, she would have been divorced long ago. The Earl’s family tolerates her only because they fear offending me."

Melissa’s face drained of every trace of colour.

"If Uncle truly watches from heaven..."

Cassiel continued calmly, "I imagine the one who shames him most is not me. It is his own family."

Silence engulfed the room.

Finally, Cassiel spoke again.

"My position is very clear. Out of respect for Uncle, you may continue living peacefully in Rose Hall. As for Lillian’s marriage..."

"My wife and I will discuss it together and find her a suitable husband. But as for the Crown Prince..."

"You should abandon that idea completely."

His voice became colder.

"If you continue harbouring such ambitions..."

"Or if you trouble my wife again because of them..."

"Don’t blame me for disregarding our family ties."

He looked directly into Melissa’s eyes.

"Aunt, have I made myself clear?"

A chill ran through Melissa’s entire body.

She nodded stiffly.

"Y-Yes... Perfectly clear."

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