Chapter 50: The Silent Puppeteer

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: The Silent Puppeteer

Queen Ilara cleared her throat softly.

"Sylrienne is still a child."

Her voice remained calm despite the tension filling the chamber.

"She is impulsive at times, yes, but she knows right from wrong."

Her gaze settled upon her daughter.

"I cannot believe she would do something like this."

Elysia was not surprised.

Even now.

Even after accidentally becoming the victim of her own daughter’s scheme.

Queen Ilara still chose to protect Sylrienne.

It was difficult not to admire, at least a little, the depth of a mother’s devotion.

As a queen, she could be frustratingly biased.

As a mother, she was unwavering.

No matter what happened.

No matter what evidence appeared before her.

She still wanted to shield her child.

Beside her, Sylrienne visibly straightened.

The fear in her eyes lessened.

Hope returned.

King Zephyrus’ expression darkened.

"You have always indulged her."

His voice was heavy with disappointment.

"This is the result."

His gaze hardened.

"The evidence is before us, and you still refuse to acknowledge it."

Queen Ilara remained composed.

Instead of responding immediately, she looked toward Autumn and the two kneeling guards.

Then she sighed.

"Sylrienne may be spoiled."

Her voice was measured.

"But she has never been cruel."

The statement caused Autumn’s face to pale.

"She would never drug her own aunt."

Queen Ilara’s gaze sharpened slightly.

"Clearly someone else intended to harm the Duchess and chose to shift the blame onto the Princess."

The room fell silent.

Then—

"It was me!"

Autumn collapsed forward.

Her forehead struck the floor.

Her entire body trembled.

"I did it!"

Despair filled her voice.

"I am the one responsible!"

Elysia’s brows drew together.

She had heard of such things before.

Powerful households always seemed to have someone ready to take the fall.

A servant.

A maid.

A guard.

Someone expendable.

Someone whose life cost less than the reputation of their master.

Her sister-in-law had once described it perfectly.

When disaster came, noble families sacrificed pawns.

Never kings.

Never queens.

"You see?"

Queen Ilara’s expression softened.

"The answer is already before us."

She looked toward King Zephyrus.

"The maid acted alone. Her target was the Duchess. I simply drank the wrong cup."

King Zephyrus remained silent.

Queen Ilara pressed forward.

"Neither Elysia nor I suffered any lasting harm."

Her voice became gentler.

"And the Duchess herself has already expressed a willingness to let the matter rest."

She glanced toward Elysia.

A glance that looked kind.

But carried unmistakable pressure.

"Today is Sylrienne’s birthday. A public scandal would benefit no one. Let us settle this quietly."

Elysia’s fingers tightened slightly.

No.

She could not accept that.

Not after everything.

Not after what happened in her previous life.

She lifted her head.

"Your Majesty—"

"Elysia."

Queen Ilara interrupted smoothly.

The Queen’s smile remained perfectly pleasant.

"Surely you would not wish Duke Cassiel Drakemont to hear of such an unpleasant affair?"

The words struck precisely where intended.

"His relationship with His Majesty is precious."

She folded her hands together.

"It would be unfortunate if a misunderstanding created discord between brothers."

Elysia fell silent.

Because she understood exactly what Queen Ilara was doing.

The Queen was using Cassiel.

Using his position and importance.

And suggesting that pursuing the matter would only create trouble for him.

For a brief moment, uncertainty crept into Elysia’s heart.

If Cassiel learned everything...

Would he truly stand with her?

Or would he see this as unnecessary trouble?

Would he think she had escalated matters too far?

Slowly, she lowered her eyes.

A familiar feeling settled over her.

Defeat.

Then—

Creak.

Creak.

Creak.

The unmistakable sound of wooden wheels echoed through the corridor.

Everyone turned.

The rhythm drew closer.

Then a calm voice broke the silence.

"Your Majesty."

The voice was cool.

Measured.

Dangerously composed.

"It seems someone is bullying my wife."

The entire room froze.

Elysia’s eyes widened.

Cassiel?

For a moment she thought she had imagined it.

He wasn’t supposed to be here.

He had said he had important business.

Yet the wheelchair continued forward until it came to a stop beside her.

The atmosphere of the room shifted instantly.

Even King Zephyrus straightened.

Even Queen Ilara looked unsettled.

Cassiel’s gaze swept across the room before settling upon Elysia.

Then he extended his hand.

Long fingers.

Steady.

Waiting.

One dark eyebrow lifted.

"Why are you kneeling?"

His tone carried faint disapproval.

"You’ve done nothing wrong."

His gaze dropped briefly.

"Aren’t your knees sore?"

Something warm spread through Elysia’s chest.

Something she had not expected.

She placed her hand in his.

Without hesitation.

Cassiel helped her rise.

Only after she was standing did she finally find her voice.

"Cassiel."

Her eyes remained fixed on him.

"What are you doing here?"

King Zephyrus laughed.

Relief replacing some of the tension in his face.

"What a pleasant surprise!"

He looked Cassiel over carefully.

"You look far healthier than before. Some color has returned to your face again."

Cassiel inclined his head slightly.

"That is thanks to my wife."

The answer came easily.

Naturally.

As though there were no reason not to say it.

King Zephyrus’ smile widened.

"Excellent!"

He looked thoroughly pleased with himself.

"It seems my matchmaking was inspired after all."

"Indeed."

The corner of Cassiel’s mouth lifted.

"Your Majesty’s judgment was exceptional."

Elysia’s ears grew slightly warm.

Before she could process it, Cassiel’s attention shifted toward Queen Ilara.

His expression cooled.

"Your Majesty."

His voice remained perfectly courteous.

"Did you hear clearly?"

Queen Ilara blinked.

"Excuse me?"

Cassiel’s fingers tapped lightly against the arm of his wheelchair.

Once.

Twice.

Then he spoke.

"Elysia and I were joined by His Majesty’s decree."

His gaze did not waver.

"I cherish my wife."

The room fell silent.

"To insult her is to insult me."

A beat passed.

"And to insult me is to disregard His Majesty’s decision."

The meaning could not have been clearer.

Elysia was under his protection.

Completely.

Queen Ilara’s smile stiffened.

"Of course."

Her voice sounded strained.

"No one would intentionally slight the Duchess."

King Zephyrus nodded firmly.

"You have my word."

His gaze swept the room.

"No one will mistreat her."

Only then did Cassiel incline his head.

"With Your Majesty’s assurance, I am satisfied."

Then he glanced toward the kneeling servants.

Toward Sylrienne.

Toward Queen Ilara.

His expression sharpened.

"Now, shall we return to the matter at hand?"

The room became quiet again.

Queen Ilara hesitated.

"What matter?"

Cassiel’s fingers tapped lightly against the wheelchair armrest.

"The story grows increasingly interesting."

His gaze settled upon Autumn.

"This maid claims responsibility."

Then he looked at the palace guards.

"And somehow enlisted palace guards into her scheme."

His tone remained mild.

Almost conversational.

Which somehow made it more intimidating.

"How often has she even interacted with my wife?"

No one answered.

"What possible motive could she have?"

Silence.

"And if she truly acted alone..."

His eyes shifted until they landed on Sylrienne.

"How did she gain access to palace guards?"

The princess visibly stiffened.

Cassiel continued calmly.

"The explanation seems rather obvious."

His voice never rose.

Never sharpened.

Yet every word landed with the weight of a hammer.

"The maid is not the mastermind."

His gaze remained fixed on Sylrienne.

"The true mastermind is someone else."