Chapter 61: The Bookseller’s Secret

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Bookseller’s Secret

Cassiel pushed open the carriage door with one hand.

The moment the door swung outward, Deborah and the other young women found themselves staring directly at him.

For a heartbeat, nobody moved.

Cassiel’s features were undeniably handsome, but there was nothing warm about his expression. His gaze was cold and sharp, carrying the weight of a man accustomed to command.

The girls instinctively took a step back.

Only then did they realize they were already surrounded.

The guards of Draevenor Manor had silently formed a perimeter around the carriage, leaving them nowhere to retreat.

None of them had expected Cassiel to accompany Elysia today.

A poetry gathering filled with noble ladies was the last place they imagined seeing the Duke of Draevenor.

Cassiel’s eyes swept across their faces.

Then he spoke.

"Elise Grandier, daughter of Councilor Edmund Grandier."

The first girl’s face turned white.

"Clarissa Davenport, daughter of Academician Raymond Davenport."

The second girl visibly trembled.

"Deborah Corvis, daughter of Chancellor Gideon Corvis."

Deborah’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Cassiel regarded them calmly.

"Did your fathers neglect to teach you proper conduct?"

No one dared answer.

"Or perhaps," he continued, "your fathers hold certain opinions regarding His Majesty’s judgment."

The girls looked even more alarmed.

Cassiel’s voice remained level.

"Elysia became my wife by His Majesty’s decree. I am perfectly satisfied with this marriage. To insult her is to insult me."

His gaze hardened.

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

The words struck like a hammer.

Deborah’s knees gave out first.

She dropped to the ground with a thud.

The others quickly followed.

"Your Grace, please forgive us!"

"We spoke carelessly!"

"We never intended any offense!"

Cassiel looked down at them without sympathy.

"A moment ago, you seemed quite confident."

No one dared lift their heads.

After a brief silence, he asked,

"I’m curious," His tone was almost conversational. "Who started the rumour that I am secretly in love with another woman? And who decided I was forced into marrying Elysia?"

Deborah’s fingers clenched against the ground.

"I... I don’t know."

She swallowed hard.

"It’s simply what people say."

The other girls hurriedly agreed.

"Everyone in the capital has heard it."

"That’s all we know."

Cassiel let out a faint, humourless laugh.

"Interesting."

His gaze lingered on them.

"Whether the rumours are true or false is one matter. But I personally heard the insults directed at my wife."

His expression grew colder.

"Since you are young, I will treat this as a lesson rather than a crime."

The girls immediately brightened.

Then Cassiel finished speaking.

"Kneel here for one hour."

Their faces collapsed.

"Your Grace—"

"One hour."

His voice left no room for argument.

"Afterward, the matter will be considered settled."

Humiliation washed over Deborah.

Never in her life had she been punished so publicly.

Yet she dared not resist.

The others were no better off.

Faced with one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, they could only endure.

Cassiel turned to the guards.

"Make sure they remain here."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Only then did he look toward Elysia.

The icy severity in his expression softened slightly.

"Let’s go."

Elysia nodded.

"Alright."

As she pushed his wheelchair toward the palace buildings, understanding gradually dawned on her.

She finally knew why he had insisted on accompanying her.

The gossip about the Northern Garrison had already spread throughout the capital.

Living quietly within Draevenor Manor, she had remained unaware of it.

But at a gathering filled with noblewomen, someone was bound to bring it up.

Cassiel had come to prevent that.

Deborah and the others were merely the first example.

After today, few people would dare repeat those rumours openly in front of her.

A warmth spread through Elysia’s chest.

"Thank you."

Her voice was sincere.

Cassiel glanced at her.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"You’re welcome."

After a moment, he added,

"You don’t have any questions?"

Elysia blinked.

"What sort of questions?"

Cassiel looked ahead.

About the woman at the Northern Garrison.

About whether the rumours were true.

About whether he truly had someone in his heart.

For some reason, he found himself wanting her to ask.

Instead, Elysia thought carefully before replying.

"I suppose I do have one."

Cassiel waited. His expression relaxed slightly.

"Would you like to visit His Majesty first?" Elysia asked.

"The gathering itself is mostly for ladies."

She smiled apologetically.

"You might find it rather dull."

Cassiel stared at her.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Finally—

"...That’s your question?"

Elysia looked puzzled.

"Should I have asked something else?"

Cassiel almost laughed.

Almost.

The answer was obvious now.

Her claims about admiring him were nothing but words.

If she truly cared, she would have asked about the rumours immediately.

Instead, she was worried he might be bored.

"Fine."

The word came out sharper than intended.

"We’ll see His Majesty first."

Elysia sensed his mood had worsened again.

Unfortunately, she had no idea why.

Rather than dwell on it, she focused on her own plans.

Years ago, when she wrote under the pen name Alhena, she had worked with Calm Spring Bookshop in the Southern District.

The owner’s wife would be attending today’s gathering.

They had arranged a discreet meeting.

Once she escorted Cassiel to see the King, she could slip away without drawing attention.

Elsewhere in the palace, Princess Sylrienne was practically vibrating with excitement.

She grabbed both of her maid Meg’s hands.

"Are you certain?"

Her cheeks were flushed pink.

"Absolutely certain?"

This was at least the third time she had asked.

Meg nodded enthusiastically.

"I’m sure of it, Your Highness."

Sylrienne leaned forward.

"Tell me again."

"The owner of Calm Spring Bookshop is related to the Court Chronicler."

Meg recited dutifully.

"The Court Chronicler’s wife and daughter are attending today. They’ve brought the bookseller’s wife with them. And she has met Alhena personally."

Sylrienne’s heart raced.

"She really said Alhena would come?"

"Yes."

Meg nodded firmly.

"Alhena will be here today."

For a moment, Sylrienne looked ready to faint from happiness.

Alhena.

The mysterious author she admired more than anyone.

The creator of Legends of Cassiopeia.

The person she had dreamed of meeting for years.

A smile spread across her face.

"She’s coming..."

Her voice softened into something almost reverent.

"Alhena is really coming."

She clasped her hands together.

"I wonder who she is. Perhaps she’s the daughter of some noble family in the capital. Perhaps I’ve already met her without knowing."

The possibilities spun endlessly through her mind.

Then another thought occurred to her.

Her eyes brightened even further.

"Oh!"

She laughed.

"If Alhena married my brother, that would be perfect."

Her smile widened.

"If Alhena became Crown Princess, I would be the happiest woman in the entire kingdom."