Chapter 65: Temptation of Attention

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Temptation of Attention

Elysia was far too occupied with keeping her composure to spare any thought for Vaelen’s contemptuous remark.

Compared to the possibility of her identity being exposed, his insult was hardly worth noticing.

Alma let out a disappointed sigh.

"I waited at our agreed meeting place for a long time, but Alhena never came."

She looked around the hall once more, her disappointment plain despite her efforts to remain composed.

"I’ve searched ever since I arrived, but I still haven’t found her."

Vaelen rested his chin on one hand.

"Perhaps something delayed her."

Just then, Queen Ilara seemed to remember something.

"Speaking of which..."

"There are still three young ladies who haven’t arrived. Elise, Clarissa and Deborah."

She turned towards Vaelen.

"Deborah is the Corvis Family’s daughter. The same one who presented Sylrienne with Alhena’s handwritten manuscript at the birthday banquet."

A thoughtful look appeared in Vaelen’s eyes.

"Chancellor Gideon Corvis’s daughter?"

Queen Ilara nodded.

The two exchanged a meaningful glance.

Gideon Corvis had once served as one of General Calen Hartwell’s most trusted strategists.

His literary talent was renowned throughout the capital.

Naturally, his daughter would have received an exceptional education.

Moreover, she had somehow managed to obtain Alhena’s original manuscript.

Could it be...

One possibility immediately came to mind.

Perhaps Deborah had been Alhena all along, quietly concealing her identity for years.

Almost as if summoned by that very suspicion, Deborah slowly entered the hall.

Every gaze instantly turned towards her.

A pale lilac silk scarf covered the lower half of her face.

More striking still, she walked with an obvious limp, each step appearing slow and painful.

Alma’s eyes widened.

"That’s her!"

She pointed instinctively.

"She must be Alhena!"

A satisfied smile spread across Queen Ilara’s face.

"Invite Lady Deborah over."

Deborah, meanwhile, was silently cursing her terrible luck.

Being forced to kneel under the scorching sun by Cassiel’s punishment had nearly ruined her.

She had wrapped the scarf around her face only to shield herself from the relentless sunlight.

As for the limp...

The stone pavement had left both knees swollen and aching so badly that every step felt like walking on knives.

All she wanted now was to find a seat and drink some water.

Instead, one of the Queen’s senior maids intercepted her.

"Lady Deborah, Her Majesty requests your presence."

Deborah was surprised but since the summons had come from Her Majesty, the Queen, she suppressed the pain and forced herself forward.

Each step sent another sharp throb through her knees.

As she approached the dais, her eyes immediately found Elysia.

There she sat leisurely beside the Queen, calmly eating pastries as though the entire world revolved around no one but herself.

Jealousy surged through Deborah’s chest.

Just then Alma’s cautious voice reached her, "Are you... Alhena?"

Deborah froze.

Alhena?

Me?

The idea was ridiculous.

"No, I’m not—"

She had barely begun denying it when Queen Ilara interrupted with an encouraging smile.

"Lady Deborah, don’t be nervous. We mean you no harm. My daughter admires Alhena greatly. We merely heard she would attend today’s gathering. The Crown Prince and I were hoping to meet her."

Vaelen nodded in agreement.

The thought of finally meeting the mysterious author had noticeably improved his mood.

His voice carried an unusual warmth.

"Simply tell the truth. There’s no reason to be afraid."

But Deborah’s heart was pounding uncontrollably.

This was the gentlest tone Vaelen had ever used with her.

Because of the Corvis Family’s connection to the Hartwells, she had encountered him several times over the years.

Yet he had always remained distant and untouchable.

Cold.

Indifferent.

The only person who had ever drawn warmth from him...

...was Elysia.

Deborah had envied her countless times.

Later, when Vaelen began treating Elysia coldly as well, Deborah had secretly rejoiced.

That satisfaction hadn’t lasted long.

Without Elysia as the connection between them, Deborah found herself completely ignored by Vaelen.

She had become invisible.

But now...

He was looking at her.

Speaking to her gently.

His attention rested entirely on her.

A dangerous excitement spread through her chest.

If only...

If only she truly were Alhena.

Wouldn’t everything become perfect?

Then another thought surfaced.

None of these people had actually seen Alhena before.

The mysterious author had always hidden behind a veil.

Perhaps Alhena had long since stopped writing.

Perhaps she had already died.

An audacious idea slowly took root.

If the real Alhena never appeared...

What prevented her from becoming Alhena herself?

She could write.

She had composed poems and short stories since childhood.

She had always believed she possessed talent equal to anyone else’s.

She had simply lacked the opportunity to prove it.

And if she claimed the identity here...

Before the Queen.

Before the Crown Prince.

Who would dare question her afterwards?

Even if the real Alhena returned someday...

As long as Deborah refused to admit the truth, who would believe a stranger over her?

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

The temptation overwhelmed every trace of caution.

At last, she made her decision.

Drawing in a slow breath, Deborah stepped forward and dropped into a respectful curtsy.

"Your Majesty... Your Highness... I..."

She lifted her head with apparent modesty.

"...I am indeed Alhena."

Silence descended upon the entire hall at the revelation. Then, almost at once, hushed murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Even Elysia blinked in surprise.

She had never imagined the woman would brazenly steal someone else’s identity.

Although Elysia had no intention of revealing herself today, seeing another person claim her pen name still left an unpleasant taste in her mouth.

"Lady Deborah..."

Her voice was calm and unhurried.

"Are you certain?"

Deborah met her gaze.

"What does Your Grace mean? Do you doubt me?"

Elysia smiled faintly.

"I merely have one question. If your pen name is Alhena..."

"Why did you choose that name? Why not Nashira? Or Vega?"

Deborah stiffened.

A bead of perspiration slowly slid down her temple.

"I..."

She opened her mouth.

Then closed it again.

No answer came.

The meaning behind the name "Alhena" belonged to Elysia alone.

It was something Deborah could never possibly know.