Chapter 58: The Architect of Rumours

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: The Architect of Rumours

Melissa swallowed nervously before finally gathering the courage to speak.

She nudged Lillian gently forward.

"It’s actually about my daughter."

Her smile looked somewhat strained.

"Lillian has always been very sheltered. She spends most of her days at home embroidering and reading. She hardly knows anyone in the capital."

Melissa glanced at Elysia cautiously.

"I was hoping... perhaps you could take her with you to the Queen’s gathering?"

Lillian lowered her head even further.

"She should meet more people and broaden her horizons."

Elysia smiled politely.

But she said nothing.

The silence stretched.

Melissa’s palms began to sweat.

Of course, she wasn’t truly concerned about Lillian making friends.

What she wanted was an opportunity.

If Lillian attended the gathering, she would have a chance to appear before Queen Ilara.

More importantly, she would have a chance to catch Vaelen Drakemont’s eye.

That was the real purpose of this visit.

Seeing that Elysia remained silent, Melissa became increasingly anxious.

"I know I’ve made mistakes before."

She forced out a laugh.

"Perhaps I relied too much on my status as your elder and overstepped."

Her expression turned earnest.

"But Lillian has nothing to do with any of that."

She took her daughter’s hand.

"Please don’t hold my faults against her."

Elysia let out a thoughtful sigh.

"It’s not that I’m unwilling."

Melissa’s eyes brightened.

However, Elysia continued before she could celebrate.

"This gathering is being hosted by Her Majesty herself."

She folded her hands neatly in her lap.

"I’m still newly married into Draevenor Manor."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"I’m not sure I have the authority to make such decisions on my own."

Melissa’s hopeful expression froze.

Elysia continued gently.

"Perhaps when His Grace returns, I’ll ask for his opinion."

Melissa’s smile nearly cracked.

She had come expecting a simple answer.

Instead, she was being sent away to wait.

Still, she couldn’t afford to offend Elysia now.

"I see."

She forced herself to nod.

"That would be acceptable."

Rising from her seat, she said,

"If there’s any news, please send someone to inform me."

"Of course."

Elysia accompanied them to the door with impeccable courtesy.

Only after the mother and daughter departed did Miriam finally voice her confusion.

"Your Grace."

She tilted her head.

"Didn’t His Grace already say you have authority over household affairs?"

"Why would taking Lady Lillian require his permission?"

Clara immediately burst into laughter.

"Our lady isn’t planning to ask at all."

Miriam blinked.

"What?"

Clara grinned knowingly.

"She’s making Lady Melissa wait."

Understanding dawned.

Miriam’s eyes lit up.

"Oh!"

Elysia couldn’t help smiling.

"Exactly."

If she agreed too readily, Melissa would quickly forget her place.

The woman had spent years acting superior.

Now that she finally needed something, a little waiting would do her good.

Besides, humility was best learned through experience.

That said, Elysia did intend to mention the matter to Cassiel eventually.

The opportunity simply never arose.

As the afternoon passed into evening, Cassiel still hadn’t returned.

The sky gradually darkened.

Lanterns were lit throughout the manor.

Yet there was still no sign of him.

Miriam began to grow concerned.

"Could something have happened?"

Elysia shook her head after a moment’s thought.

"We’re in the capital."

She set aside another ledger.

"He has Bran with him, along with his guards."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"More likely he’s simply been delayed."

She wasn’t particularly worried.

Cassiel had spent years navigating battlefields.

A late return within the capital city hardly seemed alarming.

As the evening wore on, Elysia finished reviewing the final household accounts.

After washing up, she retired for the night.

The day’s work had left her exhausted.

Sleep claimed her quickly.

---

Cassiel’s business concluded much later than expected.

As they departed, Bran looked troubled.

"Your Grace."

"What?"

Bran hesitated.

"Her Grace must be waiting for you."

Cassiel glanced at him.

"Waiting?"

Bran nodded earnestly.

"She’ll probably stay awake until you return."

The thought settled unexpectedly warmly inside Cassiel’s chest.

Someone was waiting for him.

Concerned about him.

The person waiting was Elysia.

The realization was strangely pleasant.

He looked away before Bran could notice anything.

"Tell the coachman to move faster."

Bran immediately brightened.

"Yes, Your Grace!"

The carriage hurried through the quiet streets.

By the time they reached Draevenor Manor, the hour was already late.

Lanterns illuminated the courtyard.

Everything appeared peaceful.

Yet as Cassiel approached the main residence, he noticed something unexpected.

The bedchamber windows were dark.

No candlelight.

No shadow moving behind the curtains.

He entered quietly.

The room was silent.

Elysia was asleep.

Fast asleep.

She lay curled beneath the blankets, breathing softly.

Not a hint of waiting remained.

Cassiel stared.

Then he almost laughed.

She actually went to bed.

Without waiting.

And she was sleeping quite comfortably.

The thought should have annoyed him.

Instead, as he wheeled closer, moonlight spilled across her face.

Her features appeared soft and peaceful.

Almost doll-like.

The tiny spark of irritation disappeared instantly.

He sat there watching her for a long moment.

Finally, he shook his head.

Fine.

He could be patient.

The next morning, Elysia woke feeling unusually warm.

Still half asleep, she shifted slightly.

One hand rested against something firm.

Warm.

Unexpectedly solid.

Absentmindedly, she squeezed.

The surface beneath her fingers was hard, yet not entirely hard.

Her drowsy mind struggled to make sense of it.

Then she opened her eyes.

A broad shoulder filled her vision.

Elysia froze.

Slowly, very slowly, she lifted her head.

She was practically curled against Cassiel’s side.

One arm was draped across his chest.

And what she had just squeezed—

Her face exploded with heat.

She snatched her hand away so quickly it nearly left a trail of sparks.

Heart pounding, she looked toward Cassiel.

Fortunately, his eyes remained closed.

He appeared to be sleeping.

Relief flooded through her.

Carefully.

Very carefully.

She extracted herself from the bed.

By the time breakfast arrived, she had mostly recovered her composure.

Mostly.

"My lord."

She set down her teacup.

"Lady Melissa visited yesterday."

Cassiel glanced up.

"Mm."

"She requested that I bring Lady Lillian to the Queen’s gathering."

Cassiel’s response was immediate.

"That’s your decision."

Elysia nodded.

"Understood."

The matter settled, breakfast continued peacefully.

Soon afterward, Cassiel departed once more.

Once he was gone, Elysia sent a servant to Rose Hall.

The message was simple.

His Grace had no objections.

Lady Lillian could accompany her.

The response arrived sooner than expected.

Later that same day, Melissa returned.

This time she wasn’t accompanied solely by Lillian.

Another woman walked beside her.

The woman appeared to be in her early fifties.

She wore a bright red overdress over a vivid green gown.

Her expression was lively.

Her eyes were constantly moving.

Searching.

Observing.

Judging.

Elysia recognized her immediately.

Yvette Alderdice.

The Duchess of Merlinspire.

Reeve Alderdice’s mother.

Throughout the capital, she was infamous for one thing above all else.

Gossip.

No secret was safe around her.

No scandal escaped her attention.

In her previous life, countless rumors about Elysia’s marriage to Vaelen Drakemont had spread through the capital.

Many of them could be traced directly back to this woman.

The moment Elysia saw her, an old wave of disgust rose within her.

Her fingers tightened beneath the table.

So, Melissa hadn’t come alone today.

And somehow, that made this visit far more interesting.