Chapter 75: The Hands of Fate

Chapter 75: Chapter 75: The Hands of Fate

Vaelen had stayed up far too late reading Legends of Cassiopeia.

The vivid dreams that followed left him tossing and turning for most of the night.

By midday, he had finally decided to catch up on the sleep he’d lost.

His head had barely touched the pillow when a servant hurried in.

"Your Highness, his Majesty requests your presence."

No matter how exhausted he was, he couldn’t ignore an imperial summons.

Suppressing a weary sigh, Vaelen rose, changed his clothes, and headed for the royal study.

The moment he entered, Zephyrus began speaking excitedly.

"I’ve just received news from Draevenor Manor. For years, I kept telling your uncle to turn that courtyard into a proper home and he never listened. But look at him now..."

"They’re adding dressing rooms, wardrobe chambers..."

"They’re even planning what trees and flowers to plant."

Zephyrus chuckled warmly.

"It seems marriage really does change a man."

Vaelen’s steps faltered.

The last traces of drowsiness disappeared instantly.

In their place a strange heaviness settled inside his chest.

Uncle Cassiel...

Was doing all of that...

For Elysia.

Zephyrus continued thoughtfully,

"You know, you and Elysia grew up together. I always assumed she’d become your Crown Princess. If that had happened..."

"You’d be the one building a home for her now."

A dull ache twisted inside Vaelen.

"But fate had other plans."

Zephyrus smiled faintly.

"You never cared for her. And it seems her heart ultimately found its way to your uncle."

His expression grew thoughtful.

"What I can’t understand is when that happened. They hardly spent any time together before. I never once heard her mention him."

Vaelen forced a smile.

"I’m not certain either, Father. Perhaps she admired Uncle after hearing stories of his victories on the battlefield."

Zephyrus nodded slowly.

"That’s certainly possible."

After a moment, he sighed with genuine relief.

"As long as Elysia is happy..."

"I can finally feel I’ve done right by the Hartwell family."

Vaelen remained silent.

Zephyrus studied him for a moment before changing the subject.

"Speaking of marriage..."

"Elysia is married now and you’re not getting any younger either. Your mother has been pestering me endlessly, which is why I agreed to hold the verse salon. So many talented young ladies attended. Didn’t any of them catch your eye?"

At the mention of the salon...

Only one face appeared in Vaelen’s mind.

Elysia.

He frowned almost imperceptibly before answering,

"There was one— Lady Deborah Corvis. She’s beautiful... And seems to be exceptionally talented."

"Oh?"

Zephyrus looked interested.

"Whose daughter is she?"

"Chancellor Gideon’s."

A flicker of displeasure crossed Zephyrus’s face.

He had never held Gideon in particularly high regard.

The man was ambitious, opportunistic, and had a reputation for lining his own pockets.

Still...

A capable official was useful.

As long as Gideon remained loyal and didn’t dare touch the imperial treasury, minor corruption was tolerable.

Vaelen continued, "She is also the author who writes under the pen name ’Alhena’. The one who wrote Legends of Cassiopeia."

Zephyrus’s eyes lit up.

"Is that so? Gideon’s daughter is Alhena?"

Vaelen nodded.

"Yes, Father."

Zephyrus laughed heartily.

"I never imagined Gideon could raise such a gifted daughter."

He looked at his son with growing satisfaction.

"So... You’re interested in her? Have you arranged to meet outside the palace yet?"

"Not yet."

"Excellent."

Zephyrus clapped his hands together.

"You’re suspended from court anyway. You have plenty of free time. Invite Lady Deborah into the city and spend some time together. If the two of you get along well..."

"We’ll arrange the marriage."

Vaelen blinked in surprise.

"Isn’t that... rather fast?"

Zephyrus waved the concern aside.

"Do you still think you’re a child? The Corvis family is respectable enough. And if Lady Deborah truly possesses such literary talent, she’ll make an excellent Crown Princess..."

"A capable wife will help manage the Crown Prince’s Wing, leaving you free to devote yourself to state affairs."

His voice became more serious.

"When that time comes... I’ll be able to entrust more of the empire to you."

Those words struck Vaelen far more deeply than anything else.

Entrust more of the empire to him.

Ambition stirred quietly within his heart.

He bowed respectfully.

"I understand, Father. I’ll follow your wishes."

Like his younger brother, Zephyrus never delayed once he had made a decision.

That very afternoon, an invitation bearing the seal of the Crown Prince’s Wing was delivered to the Corvis Manor.

It invited Lady Deborah to accompany the Crown Prince on a boating excursion across Oren Lake two days later.

The moment the invitation arrived, the Corvis household erupted into excitement.

Salome clutched the elegant invitation with trembling hands as though it were made of solid gold.

"A letter from the palace..."

"For my daughter..."

Gideon frowned.

"Woman, you’ve been holding it upside down this entire time."

Rather than feeling embarrassed, Salome simply turned the invitation around and laughed happily.

"My wonderful daughter! You’ve made your mother so proud!"

She looked at Deborah with unconcealed delight.

"When the Hartwell family was still at the height of its glory, Elysia’s mother was forever sending me gifts—"

"Royal tea, Imperial silk... Everyone praised her generosity. They said she treated the Corvis family so well."

Salome scoffed.

"But I knew better. It was nothing more than showing off. Her daughter was destined to become Crown Princess. Mine could only stand behind her."

She lifted her chin triumphantly.

"But look at us now. The tables have turned. My daughter is the one who’s going to marry into the Crown Prince’s Wing."

Gideon shot her a warning look.

"Don’t celebrate too early."

"It’s only an invitation to spend time together. Nothing has been decided."

His expression became stern.

"And don’t go spreading foolish rumours outside."

"If word gets around before anything is settled..."

"It’ll only damage my reputation."