Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: The Cooling Hearth

Compared to the northern frontier, Draevenor Manor offered luxurious silks, exquisite delicacies, and every comfort imaginable.

Yet none of it brought Lillian any happiness.

"Hey!"

A clear, upright voice suddenly rang out.

"You over there!"

Startled, Lillian looked up.

A handsome young man was standing several paces away, eyeing the two guards beside her with obvious suspicion.

"Are these men troubling you?"

Lillian blinked before hurriedly wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

"No... They’re protecting me."

The young man looked unconvinced.

"Really?"

Lillian nodded.

"I’m from Draevenor Manor. My name is Lillian Asheford. They were left here by the Duke."

Only then did the young man’s expression ease slightly.

However...

The mention of the Duke of Draevenor made him frown almost imperceptibly.

His name was Reeve.

The only son of the Duke of Merlinspire.

Ever since childhood, he had been bold, free-spirited, and utterly unrestrained.

There had only ever been one person capable of suppressing him.

Cassiel.

To this day...

He still hadn’t forgotten that humiliation.

Lillian smiled apologetically.

"Thank you for your concern. My father always taught me to repay kindness. May I know your name?"

Reeve hesitated.

He had no desire for Cassiel to learn that he had been here today.

After a brief pause, he replied, "My name is Riven. My family deals in trade. We’re of modest means. Nothing worth mentioning."

Lillian nodded gently.

"I see."

Reeve turned to leave.

Just then—

"Please wait."

He stopped and glanced back.

"Yes?"

Lillian pointed towards the hem of his robe.

"Your clothes are torn."

Reeve lowered his head.

Sure enough...

A small tear had appeared near the edge of his robe.

It had probably snagged on a tree branch while he was walking through the woods.

He smiled carelessly.

"It’s nothing. I’ll simply change into another robe when I return."

"But this fabric is very fine."

Lillian looked at the tear with genuine regret.

"It would be a pity to throw it away. A simple stitch will mend it."

She looked up at him.

"If you don’t mind... I could repair it for you."

Reeve finally took a proper look at the young woman before him.

Her eyes were still slightly red from crying.

Yet they sparkled as brightly as stars in the night sky.

For some inexplicable reason...

His heart stirred.

Before he realised it, he had already nodded.

"All right."

---

Meanwhile, back in the private room downstairs...

Cassiel and Elysia resumed their meal.

A servant placed a freshly steamed fish on the table.

Cassiel carefully picked out a piece of tender flesh, making sure every bone had been removed before placing it into Elysia’s bowl.

He studied her quietly.

His brows gradually drew together.

"You seem rather pale. Is the food not to your liking?"

Standing nearby, the manager instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Please don’t say yes...

Please don’t say yes...

If the Duchess expressed even the slightest dissatisfaction...

Would the Duke demolish his tavern?

Fortunately, Elysia shook her head.

"No."

Cassiel considered for a moment.

"Then... Is the wine not to your taste?"

The manager nearly collapsed.

Fortunately...

Elysia shook her head again.

"It’s just a little warm in here."

Cassiel gave a quiet hum of acknowledgement before turning towards the manager.

Before he could even speak...

The terrified manager dropped to his knees with a loud thud.

"Your Grace! I beg your forgiveness! Please don’t tear down my tavern!"

Cassiel looked at him in confusion.

"When did I ever say I intended to tear it down?"

The manager blinked.

"...You didn’t?"

Cassiel looked at him as though he were an idiot.

"Bring in some ice."

The manager finally let out the breath he had been holding.

"At once!"

He scrambled to his feet and ran out of the room.

Elysia wasn’t feeling unsettled because of the weather.

Her thoughts had drifted elsewhere.

What will happen...

When the woman Cassiel truly loves finally appears?

Or when he eventually grows tired of me?

After thinking it over...

She decided there was no point worrying about something so far away.

As long as she remained clear-headed and never allowed herself to fall too deeply...

She wouldn’t be hurt.

She would quietly prepare a path for herself.

Then even if they eventually parted ways...

She would still have the ability to stand on her own.

Before long, two large basins of ice were brought into the room.

The temperature instantly became much more comfortable.

Cassiel looked at her.

"Is that better?"

Elysia smiled.

"Much better. Thank you, my lord."

Yet...

Cassiel felt her smile wasn’t quite the same as usual.

Something seemed to be weighing on her mind.

Just as he was about to ask...

Bran entered.

"Your Grace. The Corvis Family’s young lady has fainted."

Cassiel remained perfectly calm.

"Did you pour water over her?"

Bran nodded. "Twice. She still hasn’t regained consciousness."

Cassiel gave a slight nod.

"Then send her home."

"Yes, Your Grace."

After Bran left, Elysia asked quietly,

"If Deborah faints because of today’s punishment, won’t the Corvis Family resent you?"

Cassiel answered indifferently, "There are countless people in this kingdom who resent me. One more family makes little difference."

Elysia fell silent.

He wasn’t wrong.

Many feared him.

Many hated him.

Over the years...

She had heard of numerous assassination attempts against him.

----

At the Corvis Family residence...At the Corvis Family residence...

Salome was entertaining several young ladies from noble families in her courtyard.

One of them looked around curiously.

"Why isn’t Lady Deborah here today?"

The smile on Salome’s face became impossible to hide.

"Oh... She went out."

"Went out? Where?"

Salome deliberately lowered her voice.

"An invitation arrived from the palace. His Highness the Crown Prince personally invited her to go boating at Oren Lake."

The young ladies gasped in surprise.

Everyone understood what that invitation represented.

It was clear evidence of royal favour.

If things continued this way...

Deborah might truly become the future Crown Princess.

The compliments immediately began pouring in.

"Lady Deborah is both talented and graceful."

"It was only a matter of time before the palace noticed her."

"She truly is blessed."

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