Chapter 41: The Dichotomy of Age

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: The Dichotomy of Age

Elysia couldn’t help glancing at Reeve one last time before entering the palace.

The young heir to Merlinspire was loud, impulsive, and entirely too fond of shouting.

Yet there was something refreshing about his straightforward attitude.

Once he realized he was wrong, he admitted it immediately.

No excuses.

No evasions.

No wounded pride.

That alone made him a rarity within the capital.

Meanwhile, Reeve had already turned back toward Deborah.

"Hurry up and apologize."

His voice held all the warmth of a military command.

Deborah visibly flinched.

Her shoulders trembled.

"I... I’m sorry."

"And?"

Reeve folded his arms.

Deborah’s face burned crimson.

"I shouldn’t have slandered you."

Only then did he seem satisfied.

Turning toward Elysia, he bowed slightly.

"Duchess of Draevenor, I owe you an apology as well."

His expression was sincere.

"I judged the situation without knowing the facts... My sincere apologies."

Elysia inclined her head gracefully.

"Apology accepted."

Reeve visibly relaxed.

"Is there anything else you require?"

"Nothing further."

"Good."

He immediately pointed toward the palace entrance.

"Then please proceed."

His gaze shifted back to Deborah.

"As for Lady Deborah, she will remain here until every other carriage has entered."

His voice hardened.

"Consider that my correction for the trouble I caused."

With that, order finally returned to the palace gates.

Elysia’s carriage rolled forward once more.

A short time later, it entered the palace grounds.

Rows upon rows of noble carriages already filled the parking court.

After descending, Elysia did not head directly toward the banquet hall.

Instead, she followed the route Cassiel had instructed.

Before attending the celebration, she first sought an audience with the King.

Cassiel’s awakening was not a matter that should be delivered through servants or rumors.

As his wife, it was her responsibility.

Only after fulfilling that duty did she finally make her way toward the Gilded Hall.

By then, much of the nobility had already arrived.

And unfortunately, so had Deborah.

__

Inside the Gilded Hall, Princess Sylrienne sat beside Crown Prince Vaelen, entertaining herself by observing the guests.

Her eyes immediately brightened when she spotted Deborah entering.

"Lady Deborah?"

"Greetings, Your Highness."

As Deborah neared, the princess got a closer look at her appearance and frowned.

"Why are your eyes so red?"

Deborah lowered her head at once.

A perfect picture of wounded dignity.

Her maid, however, could not contain herself.

"It was Lady Elysia!"

At the mention of that name, Vaelen’s attention sharpened.

Very slightly.

But enough.

His fingers stopped tapping against the armrest.

Deborah hurriedly rebuked her servant.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Her voice quivered.

"I’m certain Elysia didn’t mean any harm."

The maid looked outraged.

"But, my lady—"

"Enough!"

Deborah shook her head.

"If Lord Reeve chose to believe her instead of me, that was his decision."

Her eyes lowered further.

"We cannot blame Elysia for that."

Sylrienne immediately leaned forward, intrigued.

"Lord Reeve was involved too?"

A mischievous smile appeared.

Her gaze flickered between Deborah and Vaelen.

"Could it be Lord Reeve has taken a liking to Lady Elysia?"

Vaelen’s expression darkened imperceptibly.

Sylrienne was practically bouncing with excitement.

"What happened? Tell me everything."

Deborah began her carefully edited recounting of events.

__

Meanwhile, Elysia stepped through the grand doors of the Gilded Hall.

The change in atmosphere was instantaneous.

Conversations faltered.

Laughter died.

One voice after another fell silent.

Until the entire hall seemed unnaturally quiet.

Countless eyes turned toward her.

Some curious.

Some mocking.

Some openly disdainful.

Elysia recognized those looks.

In her previous life, she had endured countless gatherings like this.

Deborah had always possessed a remarkable talent for controlling narratives.

By the time Elysia arrived, everyone had already decided who the villain was.

The difference was that, this time, she no longer cared.

Their opinions could not harm her.

Nor could their whispers diminish her position.

She was the Duchess of Draevenor, the wife of Cassiel Drakemont.

Her rank surpassed nearly every woman present.

If they wished to stare at her, they would have to look upward.

Not the other way around.

"Elysia."

Queen Ilara greeted her warmly.

"There you are."

Elysia offered a respectful curtsy.

"Your Majesty."

"We’ve been waiting for you."

The Queen smiled graciously.

"Come. Sit."

Elysia took her designated seat.

Directly beside the Queen.

One of the highest positions in the entire hall.

Several noblewomen immediately looked away.

The reminder of her status was difficult to ignore.

Unfortunately, Sylrienne had never been known for restraint.

The moment Elysia sat down, the princess smiled a saccharine-sweet smile and said,

"Lady Elysia, may I ask something?"

Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Of course."

"You entered the palace long before everyone else."

Sylrienne tilted her head.

"So why did you arrive at the banquet so late?"

A pause.

Then—

"You didn’t sneak away to meet someone, did you?"

Several nearby ladies immediately lowered their eyes to hide their interest.

The implication was obvious.

A married woman.

Alone.

Disappearing for so long.

But the accusation barely seemed to bother Elysia.

After all, Sylrienne had asked the exact same question in her previous life.

Back then, Elysia had panicked.

She had stumbled through explanations.

She had desperately tried to appease the princess.

Today was different.

"A secret meeting?"

Elysia repeated softly.

Her expression remained perfectly calm.

"Your Highness,"

She raised a delicate eyebrow.

"Surely you do not habitually refer to His Majesty as a secret lover."

The entire hall froze.

Sylrienne blinked.

Once.

Twice.

"What?"

"I spent the earlier part of the afternoon with His Majesty."

Elysia’s tone remained gentle.

"Cassiel’s condition is of great concern to the Crown. As his wife, I provided an update regarding his recovery."

The silence deepened.

"If Your Highness still doubts me, you may verify the matter with His Majesty directly."

The color drained from Sylrienne’s face.

Verify it?

With her father?

Absolutely not.

The King terrified her.

More importantly—

If he learned she’d indirectly referred to him as someone’s secret lover...

Sylrienne suddenly wanted to disappear.

Queen Ilara immediately stepped in with her usual perfect timing.

"Elysia,"

Her smile remained pleasant.

"Please forgive her."

She reached over and lightly patted Sylrienne’s hand.

"My daughter is still young. Sometimes she speaks before she thinks."

The message was clear.

The matter ends here for today.

Elysia met the Queen’s eyes.

Then smiled politely.

"Of course, Your Majesty."