Chapter 57: Burnt Tongues and Sweet Smiles

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Burnt Tongues and Sweet Smiles

Queen Ilara let out a slow breath.

"Your marriage is not for me to decide. Your father will make that decision."

Sylrienne’s expression immediately darkened.

"The annual selection of promising young lords is being held this season," Queen Ilara continued. "Once the assessments are complete, your father will choose the most suitable candidate among them."

"I don’t want any of them!"

Sylrienne’s voice rose sharply.

She sat upright, anger flashing in her eyes.

"I’ve already told you that."

Queen Ilara frowned.

"Are you still thinking about that young general?"

Sylrienne refused to answer.

The silence was answer enough.

Queen Ilara’s expression hardened.

"Then let me be clear. Your father will never agree."

"Why not?"

Sylrienne’s eyes reddened with frustration.

"You’re all prejudiced against him!"

She clenched the blanket tightly.

"Elysia comes from a military family too. Why can she marry Uncle Cassiel, but I can’t marry a general?"

"Because the situations are completely different."

Queen Ilara’s patience was beginning to wear thin.

"Must you always be so stubborn?"

Sylrienne’s lips trembled.

Instead of replying, she yanked the blanket over her head.

No matter how many times Queen Ilara called her name afterward, she received no response.

The princess remained curled beneath the covers, refusing to speak.

Eventually, Queen Ilara sighed in defeat.

"Fine."

Her voice softened.

"Get some rest."

She rose from the bed.

"We’ll talk tomorrow."

The chamber door closed quietly behind her.

Only then did Sylrienne emerge from beneath the blanket.

Tears streamed silently down her face.

No one understood her.

Not her father.

Not her mother.

No one.

Only Alhena understood.

Only Alhena’s stories seemed to understand the loneliness she carried.

If she could meet Alhena in person someday...

The thought alone brought her more comfort than anyone else in the palace.

__

The following days passed peacefully.

Cassiel continued applying medicine to Elysia’s back every evening.

At first, she remained painfully aware of their earlier embarrassment.

Every time she sat before him, memories of that disastrous moment resurfaced.

Yet Cassiel behaved exactly as he always had.

Calm.

Composed.

Completely unaffected.

Gradually, Elysia relaxed.

The more natural he acted, the more foolish it seemed to dwell on it herself.

After all, the injury wasn’t particularly serious.

After two days of treatment, the bruising had faded significantly.

Meanwhile, Cassiel’s schedule became increasingly busy.

Military reports arrived daily.

Visitors came and went.

Much of his time was spent dealing with official matters.

The physician had forbidden Elysia from soaking her injury while it healed, so she had only been able to wash herself lightly these past few days.

Now that the wound was nearly gone, she was looking forward to a proper bath that evening.

Just then, Clara entered carrying an elegant invitation.

"Your Grace."

Elysia looked up from her ledger.

"What is it?"

"It’s from the palace."

Clara presented the invitation respectfully.

"Her Majesty is hosting a poetry gathering. Invitations have been sent to the unmarried noble ladies of Aveanlor."

Elysia accepted the card and opened it.

The elegant royal seal immediately confirmed its authenticity.

Understanding dawned.

So Queen Ilara still intends to continue selecting a Crown Princess.

She wasn’t surprised.

One failed gathering wasn’t enough to make the Queen abandon her plans.

After scanning the contents, Elysia nodded.

"We’ll attend."

Clara bowed.

"As you wish."

Not long afterward, another maid arrived.

This time her expression carried a hint of uncertainty.

"Your Grace, there are visitors requesting an audience."

Elysia set down the invitation.

"Who?"

"Lady Melissa and her younger daughter, Lady Lillian."

The maid hesitated.

"They say they came specifically to pay their respects."

Clara immediately looked concerned.

"If Lady Melissa came to pay respects, she’s definitely here for something."

Miriam snorted.

"Forget letting them in. Give me five minutes and I’ll send them straight back out the gate."

The image made Elysia smile.

"No need."

She already had a fair idea why Melissa had come.

"Show them in."

The maid curtsied and departed.

A short while later, Melissa entered with Lillian following behind her.

Compared to her previous visit, Melissa’s attitude had changed dramatically.

The arrogance was gone.

Today, her smile was practically radiant.

"Your Grace."

Her voice was sweet enough to give one a toothache.

She immediately tugged Lillian forward.

"Hurry and greet Her Grace properly."

Elysia studied the younger girl.

This was the first time she had met Lillian.

Unlike Roxana, Lillian bore little resemblance to Melissa.

She likely inherited more of General Asheford’s features.

The girl kept her head lowered.

"Elysia."

The word had barely left her mouth when Melissa’s face darkened.

She immediately nudged her daughter.

"What did I teach you before we came?"

Lillian flinched.

Her voice became even softer.

"...Your Grace."

Only then did Melissa appear satisfied.

Turning back toward Elysia, she arranged her features into a warm smile.

Before she could launch into whatever speech she had prepared, Elysia spoke first.

"Cassiel is Lillian’s cousin."

Her tone remained pleasant.

"I’m merely a cousin by marriage."

She smiled.

"’Your Grace’ sounds rather distant. Calling me Elysia would feel much more familial."

Melissa’s smile stiffened almost imperceptibly.

The opening she had prepared vanished before she could use it.

"Please sit."

Elysia gestured toward the chairs.

"Clara, bring some refreshments."

The servants quickly complied.

Melissa sat down, though it was obvious she was eager to get to the real purpose of her visit.

Elysia, however, seemed entirely unhurried.

She lifted her teacup.

"Aunt, please try the tea."

Melissa took a hurried sip.

The tea was still hot.

She nearly burned her tongue but forced herself to swallow.

Then she immediately returned to the matter occupying her mind.

"Your Grace..."

She leaned forward slightly.

"I heard Her Majesty will be hosting a gathering at the palace in a few days."

"A poetry gathering?"

Elysia nodded.

"Yes."

"The invitation arrived today."

"I’ve already accepted."

Melissa laughed awkwardly.

"Your Grace’s information arrives quickly."

Elysia smiled.

"Not nearly as quickly as yours, Aunt."

Melissa nearly choked.

Clearly, she had learned of the event before the invitations were even distributed.

For a moment, she couldn’t think of a response.

Elysia calmly set down her cup.

Then she looked at her with mild curiosity.

"So..."

Her smile remained perfectly pleasant.

"You came all the way here simply to tell me about the palace gathering?"