Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Severed Strings

"This isn’t nonsense!"

Adela cried through her tears.

"I love him! I’ll never marry anyone except Cassiel!"

The last trace of composure vanished from Madam Rennor’s face.

Mortified, she shot Elysia an apologetic glance before seizing Adela by the wrist and pulling her to her feet.

"Enough! We’re leaving. You’ve embarrassed yourself enough today."

"No!"

Adela struggled desperately against her mother’s grip.

"I won’t leave! I have to see him!"

"That’s enough!"

Madam Rennor’s voice cracked like a whip.

"There is no ’Cassiel’ here. There is only His Grace, the Duke of Draevenor. If you continue behaving so disgracefully, I’ll arrange your marriage tomorrow. Perhaps once you’re married, you’ll finally come to your senses."

"I won’t marry anyone else!"

Adela’s voice became almost hysterical.

"If I can’t marry Cassiel..."

"I’d rather die!"

The moment the word die left her lips, Elysia immediately rose to her feet.

"Madam Rennor... Miss Rennor... Please calm yourselves."

At the same time, she cast a discreet glance towards Miriam and Clara, signalling them to keep a close watch.

She feared Adela might truly do something reckless.

Just then, the sound of wheels rolling across the stone courtyard echoed from outside.

Everyone instinctively turned towards the entrance.

Cassiel appeared in the doorway.

Dressed in a dark charcoal robe, his expression was as cold and unreadable as ever.

"Cassiel!"

The moment Adela saw him, hope rekindled in her eyes.

She broke free from her mother’s grasp and stumbled towards him.

"Cassiel..."

"I can’t convince them. They won’t let me marry you, but—"

"Adela."

Cassiel interrupted calmly.

She immediately fell silent.

Looking at him, her racing heart gradually settled.

She thought...

He had come to stand by her.

Instead, his next sentence shattered that hope completely.

"Adela. I will never marry you."

She froze as though struck by lightning.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as fresh tears welled up.

Cassiel’s expression remained utterly indifferent.

"I don’t know what I’ve ever done to make you misunderstand..."

"My concern for you and Madam Rennor has always been because Lieutenant Rennor once served under me and is now imprisoned alone in Noverk. I have never had romantic feelings for you. And I never will."

"No... That’s impossible..."

Adela stared at him desperately.

"How could you not care for me? You even assigned your personal guards to protect me."

"The King of Noverk is trying to win Lieutenant Rennor over."

Cassiel’s tone remained calm.

"You and your mother became potential targets. The guards were there solely for your protection."

"But... You never married all these years. You only married because His Majesty arranged it."

Her voice trembled with hope.

"Weren’t you waiting for me? Hadn’t you been waiting for me all this time?"

Cassiel answered without hesitation.

"I remained unmarried because I chose not to settle down. Not because I was waiting for you."

Adela wiped away her tears with trembling hands.

"Then... Everyone says there’s someone you’ve always loved. Cassiel..."

"That person is me... isn’t it?"

"It’s not."

His reply came without the slightest pause.

Adela stood rooted to the spot.

"Not... me? How could it not be me!? Then who is it?"

Cassiel slowly lifted his gaze.

Across the room...

His eyes settled upon Elysia.

Completely unaware of his gaze, Elysia wasn’t looking at him at all.

Her brows were tightly knitted as she watched Adela with concern.

She had unconsciously tightened her grip on Miriam’s hand.

"Who is she?"

Adela demanded stubbornly through her tears.

"If it’s not me... Then tell me who it is."

Following Cassiel’s line of sight, she slowly turned around.

Her tear-filled eyes landed upon Elysia.

Realisation gradually dawned across her face.

"Don’t tell me... The person you love... Is the Duchess?"

Elysia stiffened.

She instinctively looked towards Cassiel.

Their eyes met.

His gaze was steady.

Serious.

Without the slightest trace of hesitation.

A sudden sense of panic swept through her.

It can’t be...

Can it?

"Yes."

Cassiel’s answer was calm.

Firm.

Unequivocal.

For a brief moment...

Elysia felt as though something had exploded inside her mind.

The world around her became strangely distant.

Cassiel...

Loves me?

Adela suddenly laughed.

The sound was broken and filled with despair.

"Cassiel..."

"Just to reject me..."

"You’d even fabricate such a ridiculous lie. If the Duchess truly was the woman you loved..."

"Why didn’t you ask for her hand when she was still at the Hartwell Manor? Everyone knows His Majesty arranged this marriage..."

"She was originally meant to marry the Crown Prince. I simply didn’t have the opportunity."

Cassiel interrupted her calmly.

His expression remained distant.

"Adela. This ends here. For Lieutenant Rennor’s sake..."

"My protection over you and Madam Rennor will remain unchanged. But from this day forward..."

"I will never meet you alone again. You are not to come to Draevenor Manor. I’ll give orders that you are no longer to be admitted."

The last trace of strength left Adela’s body.

She collapsed onto the floor like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Cassiel looked towards Madam Rennor.

"Madam Rennor. You may still come to the manor whenever necessary. But do not bring Adela with you again."

Tears had long since filled Madam Rennor’s eyes.

She lowered her head respectfully.

"I understand. Thank you, Your Grace."

She understood exactly what he meant.

After everything Adela had done today...

The fact that Cassiel still intended to continue protecting both mother and daughter was already an act of immense generosity.

Taking a deep breath, Ismeria Rennor bent down and helped her sobbing daughter to her feet.

"We’re leaving."

Her voice was quiet.

Yet carried a sense of finality that left no room for argument.

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