Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Blinded Desires

The moment Elysia entered the reception hall, Madam Rennor immediately rose to her feet.

Her face was filled with guilt.

"Your Grace, my daughter behaved disgracefully this morning. She barged into your private chambers without permission, which was a grave breach of etiquette. Please accept my sincerest apologies on her behalf."

With that, she performed a flawless curtsy.

Elysia was momentarily taken aback.

She quickly smiled and said, "Please don’t concern yourself over it."

However, Madam Rennor remained insistent, repeatedly apologising before urging Adela to apologise as well.

Only then did Elysia understand why Cassiel had told her not to worry.

Madam Rennor truly was a sensible and well-mannered woman.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Madam Rennor spoke first.

"Yesterday, I mentioned my nephew’s marriage to His Grace. He said the matter should be discussed with Your Grace."

Elysia nodded with a smile.

"The Duke’s uncle, General Benedict Asheford, has a younger daughter named Lillian. She has now come of age, so I thought that, as they are of similar years, perhaps they could be introduced."

Madam Rennor smiled.

"My husband and General Asheford have known each other for many years. I’ve met Lady Lillian several times before. She was a lively and charming young girl then. She must have grown into a fine young lady by now."

"Mother..."

Adela tugged gently at her mother’s sleeve.

"I’m of marriageable age too, yet I’m still unmarried."

Madam Rennor merely glanced at her without replying.

Elysia looked towards Adela with gentle curiosity.

"Has Madam Rennor not found a suitable match for you yet, Miss Rennor?"

Adela lowered her head shyly.

"I think..."

"Cassiel is already very good."

The smile on Madam Rennor’s face stiffened.

Only moments ago, this foolish girl had barged into another woman’s private chambers without permission.

Now she was openly praising another woman’s husband to her face.

Whenever Cassiel was involved, her usually sensible daughter seemed to lose all reason.

As her mother, Madam Rennor felt so ashamed she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Elysia, however, remained perfectly composed.

"The Duke is indeed an exceptional man. But every person is different. And the most suitable husband for one woman may not be the most suitable for another."

She smiled gently.

"For example..."

"Your father is an excellent man. I imagine marrying him must have been one of the greatest blessings of your mother’s life."

Madam Rennor was visibly startled.

She looked at Elysia with newfound admiration.

This young Duchess truly deserved her reputation.

Faced with such awkward remarks, she neither became angry nor sought to humiliate the other party. Instead, she effortlessly steered the conversation elsewhere while preserving everyone’s dignity.

For a fleeting moment, Madam Rennor found herself comparing the two young women before her.

They were of similar age.

Yet they were worlds apart.

One possessed grace, patience and remarkable composure.

The other...

Her heart grew heavy.

Ever since her husband had been captured in Noverk, she had devoted all her attention to Adela. Afraid her daughter would suffer from her father’s absence, she had unconsciously become more indulgent than before.

Whenever Adela wanted something, Madam Rennor had done everything she could to grant it.

Whenever she made a mistake, Madam Rennor had always found an excuse, convincing herself the child had simply endured too much.

She had believed that, with time, Adela would naturally mature.

She had never imagined that her indulgence would allow such dangerous fantasies to take root.

Somehow, Adela had mistaken His Grace’s sense of duty for affection...

His kindness for devotion...

And years of protection for a promise that had never existed.

Looking at her daughter now, Madam Rennor felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

This is my fault. I should have noticed and corrected her long ago.

Unfortunately...

Adela completely failed to understand Elysia’s good intentions.

She bit her lip before blurting out,

"I don’t mind. As long as Your Grace agrees to let me enter the household... I’ll serve you both faithfully and—"

Smack!

A sharp slap echoed through the reception hall.

Madam Rennor could endure it no longer.

She strode over and struck Adela hard across the face.

Adela froze.

She instinctively covered her burning cheek, staring at her mother in disbelief.

From childhood until now...

Her mother had never laid a hand on her.

The pain of the slap, coupled with the shock of it, caused tears to spill uncontrollably from her eyes.

Madam Rennor’s expression was dark with humiliation and anger.

"You shameless girl!"

Although her fingers trembled violently, she refused to let anyone see it.

After taking a slow, steadying breath, she turned back towards Elysia.

Her eyes were filled with sincere remorse.

"I’ve spoiled this child far too much. She has completely lost her senses today. Please forgive her outrageous words, Your Grace. I beg you not to take them to heart."

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