Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Fractured Strategy

As realisation dawned, a cold sweat broke out across Vaelen’s back.

He had indeed said those words.

But he had assumed only Elysia was downstairs.

He never imagined his uncle would be with her.

"Uncle... it’s all a misunderstanding," he said stiffly.

Cassiel regarded him calmly.

"So... you no longer require my service?"

"How could I possibly ask you to serve me?"

Vaelen forced a smile that looked more pitiful than crying.

Cassiel nodded slightly.

"Good. Then you may serve me instead."

Vaelen blinked.

"And my wife," Cassiel added.

Vaelen froze.

Cassiel raised an eyebrow.

"What? Are you unhappy about it?"

Vaelen clenched his teeth.

"It’s not that... I only thought Aunt... might feel uncomfortable."

Cassiel turned towards Elysia, his expression softening almost imperceptibly.

"My dear, would you be uncomfortable?"

Elysia smiled sweetly.

"Not at all. A nephew serving his uncle and aunt is only right and proper."

Vaelen nearly choked on his own anger.

Cassiel’s gaze shifted to Barek.

Gone was the warmth he had shown Elysia.

His eyes were as cold and sharp as drawn blades.

Barek felt a chill run down his spine.

Cassiel spoke slowly.

"A moment ago..."

"Weren’t you about to strike the Duchess?"

Barek lowered his head guiltily.

"N-No..."

Cassiel smiled faintly.

"I believe you were. And if I heard correctly..."

"You also claimed that Young General Asher was a nobody."

Barek’s face instantly lost all colour.

He hadn’t realised Cassiel had heard everything.

His legs went weak beneath him.

Cassiel continued casually, "The Hartwell family’s military achievements were personally verified by me before His Majesty conferred their honours. According to your words..."

"Young General Asher’s accomplishments were fabricated."

His voice remained calm.

Yet every word struck like a hammer.

"Does that mean..."

"His Majesty and I are both incompetent fools?"

Barek’s eyes widened in terror.

"N-No! I would never dare!"

He shook his head frantically.

"It was only a moment of anger. I misspoke! I would never question His Majesty or Your Grace!"

Cassiel ignored his frantic explanation.

"The Hartwell family’s loyalty has been praised by His Majesty countless times in court. He has even spoken of compiling their deeds into the kingdom’s official records and ensuring the lifelong welfare of their sole surviving daughter."

His gaze remained fixed on Barek.

"So perhaps you don’t think Asher is a nobody. Perhaps..."

"You believe His Majesty is a nobody."

Those words were enough to condemn any man.

Barek collapsed onto his knees with a thud.

He repeatedly kowtowed.

"Your Grace! You’ve misunderstood! I wouldn’t dare! I swear I wouldn’t!"

Deborah hurried forward.

"Your Grace... My brother simply drank too much today and spoke without thinking."

Elysia tilted her head.

"Really? I seem to remember Barek spending entire nights drinking and making merry at the Velvet Lantern, only to attend court perfectly sober the following morning. So how is it that today, after less than a single jug of wine... He’s suddenly drunk?"

Deborah faltered.

Then she looked at Elysia with wounded, tear-filled eyes.

"Lady Elysia... I know you and His Highness share a past. But you’re already married to His Grace. No matter what His Highness does, you shouldn’t keep paying such close attention to him..."

"You even followed him here."

Elysia frowned.

They had been discussing Barek’s insults.

Why had Deborah suddenly dragged her past relationship with Vaelen into the conversation?

Deborah stole a careful glance at Cassiel before continuing softly, "If you still can’t let go of His Highness, that’s your own affair. But why involve His Grace as well? The journey here is long, and the weather is unbearably hot..."

She hesitated deliberately before adding,

"His Grace and His Highness are uncle and nephew. Surely you don’t intend to drive a wedge between them..."

She allowed the sentence to trail off.

The implication was unmistakable.

Cassiel’s handsome face darkened.

Deborah secretly rejoiced.

There.

Now my brother will be safe.

Elysia and the Crown Prince once had feelings for each other.

Even if they’ve both married other people, that history can never be erased.

I refuse to believe the Duke feels nothing.

Surely he won’t continue protecting her now.

Silence filled the room.

After a long moment, Cassiel spoke.

"Bran. Take her away."

Bran immediately bowed.

"Yes, Your Grace."

He strode directly towards Deborah.

She stared at him in disbelief.

"M-Me? Shouldn’t it be Elysia who—"

Bran’s expression remained icy.

"Mind your words. That is Her Grace, the Duchess."

He seized Deborah’s wrist without the slightest trace of gentleness.

She cried out in pain.

"Your Grace! There must be some misunderstanding!"

Cassiel’s expression remained indifferent.

"At the palace, you offended the Duchess. I ordered you to kneel but it seems you learned nothing. In that case..."

"You may kneel for another two hours today."

Deborah’s face turned deathly pale.

The previous hour had already been unbearable.

Two more hours...

She wouldn’t survive it.

She bit her lip stubbornly.

"I didn’t offend her. If Lady Elysia truly had no lingering feelings for His Highness..."

"Why would she even come here?"

Cassiel clicked his tongue softly.

"Lingering feelings? What lingering feelings? Today, I came to Oren Lake to pay my respects to my late uncle. I intended to take the Duchess boating afterwards."

He looked at Deborah without the slightest warmth.

"For your reckless tongue... Make it four hours."

Deborah stood rooted to the spot.

So...

The Duke had brought Elysia here himself.

Bran tightened his grip on her wrist before dragging the struggling, protesting Deborah out of the room.

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