Chapter 161: The Rumour’s Web

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: The Rumour’s Web

Queen Ilara’s smile remained gentle.

She nodded. "Of course. Go on."

Elysia left with Miriam, accompanied by a palace maid assigned to guide her through the corridors.

The banquet hall was filled with the soft hum of conversation behind them. The moment Elysia passed beyond the doors, however, the atmosphere changed. The music and voices became muffled, replaced by the quieter sounds of servants moving through the palace and the faint echo of footsteps against polished stone.

The palace maid walked a few steps ahead, careful to maintain the proper distance.

Miriam remained beside Elysia.

The corridors of the Crown Prince’s Wing were beautifully decorated for the occasion. Tall windows allowed the evening light to spill across the marble floors, while golden lamps had already been lit along the walls.

Silk banners bearing the royal crest hung between the pillars, their rich colours stirring faintly whenever a breeze slipped through the open windows.

Elysia walked without hurry.

There was no need to appear nervous.

Whatever Melissa had been planning, Elysia had no intention of allowing herself to be dragged into a spectacle.

Behind them, Queen Ilara watched her retreating figure for a moment.

Then she cast a subtle glance towards the matron standing behind her.

The matron understood immediately.

Without attracting attention, she slipped away from the royal table.

She waited until she was several steps from the Queen before changing direction, moving naturally through the guests as though she merely had an errand to attend to.

As she passed another group of guests, she brushed Melissa’s shoulder lightly.

Melissa turned.

Her gaze immediately caught sight of Elysia’s retreating figure.

Her heart jumped.

She glanced towards the matron, then back towards Elysia.

Melissa understood.

Without drawing attention to herself, she quietly followed.

Keeping a careful distance, Melissa watched Elysia continue down the corridor.

The palace maid remained beside her until they reached a quieter stretch.

The further they went from the banquet hall, the fewer servants they encountered.

Elysia turned to the maid.

"I know the rest of the way. You can head back."

The maid hesitated only briefly before bowing.

"As you wish, Your Grace."

She did not immediately turn around.

Her eyes briefly travelled down the corridor, as though making certain there was nothing else Elysia required.

Elysia gave her a reassuring nod.

"You may return. I shall not be long."

The maid bowed again.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Only then did she turn and withdraw towards the banquet hall.

Her footsteps were soft against the stone floor.

Elysia waited.

She did not move until the sound of those footsteps had faded into the distance.

Elysia then slowly looked around.

Her gaze travelled down the corridor.

No servants.

No passing nobles.

No one lingering nearby.

The palace was large enough that a quiet corridor could feel completely isolated despite being only a short distance from a crowded banquet.

Still, Elysia did not rely on appearances alone.

Only after she was certain there was no one else around did she turn towards Miriam.

"Go to the front court."

Her voice was low but clear.

"Tell His Highness I have something important to discuss with him, and it must be in person."

Miriam’s expression became serious.

She looked at Elysia carefully.

"His Highness?"

Elysia nodded.

"Yes."

She lowered her voice further.

"Do not mention it to anyone else. Simply tell him that I need to speak with him."

Miriam understood the seriousness in her mistress’s tone.

She bowed.

"As you wish, Your Grace."

Miriam nodded immediately.

"I understand."

She gathered her skirts and hurried away.

Her footsteps soon disappeared around the corner.

Hidden behind a stone wall, Melissa heard every word.

Her eyes widened.

She had followed quietly enough that neither Elysia nor Miriam had noticed her.

Meeting His Highness in secret on the night of his own betrothal banquet?

Unbelievable.

For a moment, she could hardly believe what she had just heard.

Then her lips curved into a smile.

Inside, she sneered at Elysia.

But to Melissa, this was perfect.

If Elysia were caught alone with Vaelen tonight, she would be thrown straight out of Draevenor Manor.

And if the scandal became public, Vaelen’s engagement to the Corvis Family could collapse with it.

Then Lillian would have her choice.

The Duke of Draevenor or His Highness.

The thought made Melissa’s pulse race.

She could almost see the path opening before her.

The rumours she had spread earlier would suddenly have something that looked like proof behind them.

It would no longer matter whether anyone believed her first story.

One secret meeting would be enough.

She followed Elysia farther down the corridor.

Soon, Elysia reached a quiet pavilion.

The pavilion stood in a secluded section of the palace gardens, enclosed on three sides by carved stone screens. Moonlight had begun to settle over the tiled roof, while the last traces of daylight lingered over the garden beyond.

Elysia stepped inside and settled there, apparently waiting.

Melissa stopped at a distance.

So it was real.

Elysia truly was waiting for Vaelen.

Melissa’s fingers curled tightly, trembling with anticipation.

She had not expected an opportunity like this to fall directly into her hands.

For a moment, she simply stood there, watching the pavilion.

The silence made everything feel even more convincing.

Elysia was alone.

She had sent away her maid.

She had sent Miriam to summon Vaelen.

And now she was waiting for him.

What more could Melissa possibly need?

She hurried back towards the banquet hall.

She had to tell Queen Ilara immediately.

When Melissa reached the entrance, however, the matron stepped into her path.

Melissa’s expression darkened.

"Move. I have something urgent to report to Her Majesty."

The matron smiled politely.

"Her Majesty is hosting guests at the moment. If you would like, you may tell me, and I will relay it."

Melissa’s eyes narrowed.

She wanted to speak to Ilara herself.

But there was no way to push past the matron without drawing attention to herself.

Left with no choice, Melissa leaned closer and lowered her voice.

She whispered everything she had seen and heard.

The matron’s expression gradually grew serious.

She gave a slight nod before returning to Queen Ilara’s side.

Leaning down, she murmured a few words into the Queen’s ear.

Ilara had been smiling.

The instant she heard the report, however, her expression shifted.

The change was subtle, but the Marchioness of Gildemont noticed.

"What happened?"

Ilara lowered her voice.

"Melissa claims she saw Elysia meeting Vaelen alone in the pavilion."

The Marchioness stared at her.

"What?"

Only moments ago, she had almost felt sorry for Elysia.

And now this?

The Marchioness’s expression became complicated.

"It is only what she says," Ilara replied carefully. "It may not be true."

She lowered her gaze briefly, appearing hesitant.

"I would like to see for myself. But this is Vaelen’s betrothal banquet. If I leave now..."

"I will go."

The Marchioness cut her off immediately.

That was exactly what Ilara had been waiting for.

A flicker of satisfaction passed through her eyes, though she quickly concealed it beneath a hesitant smile.

"Are you sure?"

The Marchioness patted her hand.

"Do not worry, Your Majesty. I know how to handle it."

She rose from her seat.

Her expression had turned cold.

"I will not cause a scene. But if it turns out to be true, then the Duchess of Draevenor needs to be removed from Draevenor Manor without delay."

Ilara looked at her for a moment.

Then she gave a small nod.

"Very well."

The Marchioness turned and strode out of the banquet hall.

Melissa was waiting nearby.

The moment she saw the Marchioness emerge, she quickly stepped forward and led the way.

As they walked through the palace corridors, Melissa’s anger began spilling out.

"That woman circles around the Duke of Draevenor one moment and slips off to see His Highness the next."

Her voice was filled with indignation.

"Men everywhere, yet she keeps blocking Lillian’s future on purpose."

The Marchioness’s expression darkened.

"She still refuses to settle Lillian’s match?"

"Yes," Melissa said quickly.

"Lillian could have married His Highness. The Duchess refused."

She lowered her voice and continued, "Then Reeve from Merlinspire Manor took a liking to Lillian, and she refused again."

The Marchioness frowned.

Melissa’s expression turned sorrowful.

"Lillian is my daughter. I cannot let her end up widowed young."

She clasped her hands together.

"I was planning to go back and beg the Duchess in a few days."

The Marchioness glanced at her.

Melissa hurried on.

"She can scold me all she likes. I will take it."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"As long as she agrees to arrange Lillian’s marriage..."

The Marchioness’s face remained cold.

But Melissa could tell her words had struck the right place.

She continued walking beside her, carefully maintaining the appearance of a worried mother rather than a woman eager to see another person’s downfall.

Yet beneath that carefully arranged expression, excitement continued to churn.

She had finally found an opportunity.

And this time, Elysia had given her everything she needed.

The two women continued towards the pavilion.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

The Marchioness’s thoughts were already becoming increasingly unsettled.

She had been prepared to believe that Elysia had merely been the target of exaggerated rumours.

But if Melissa’s account was true, then the situation was entirely different.

The Duchess of Draevenor had no business meeting the Crown Prince alone.

Especially not tonight.

Not on the night of his betrothal to the Corvis Family.

And certainly not after everything that had already happened.

The Marchioness’s steps quickened.

Melissa followed closely behind.

A faint smile touched her lips.

She could already see the future she wanted unfolding before her.

If Elysia was caught with Vaelen, the scandal would destroy her standing.

And once Elysia was driven from Draevenor Manor, Lillian’s path would finally be clear.

All she needed was for the Marchioness to see what she had promised.

The pavilion was just ahead.

Melissa’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

The trap was ready.

And Elysia was waiting at its centre.