Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 357: A Thunderous Claim

Lyra tilted her head, blinking those clear, guileless eyes as she looked toward Theodric. "Father, isn't that right?"

Elira clicked her tongue lightly, feigning a scolding tone. "Don't talk nonsense."

Lyra pouted, muttering under her breath, "But it's true..."

The childish remark made the atmosphere momentarily awkward, almost comical. By sheer accident, it also pulled Elowen out of the corner she had been pushed into.

Theodric's brows knit tighter. His gaze sharpened as it swept toward Daphne.

He was not ignorant of the old tensions between the Garrett family and the Hale family, nor of the petty rivalry between Daphne and Elowen.

At this moment, the suspicion forming in his mind had already settled into near certainty.

Looking down from the dais, his voice turned cold, heavy with the pressure of a coming storm.

"Crown Princess. Did you come here tonight intending to make things difficult for the Duchess of Duskmoor?"

Daphne's heart lurched wildly. She hurriedly shook her head.

"Your Majesty, I would never dare. That was not my intention at all..."

Theodric ignored her defense entirely. His gaze slid past her and landed directly on Alaric.

"Was this your idea?"

Alaric froze for a split second before jumping to his feet. He bowed deeply.

"Father, please see clearly. I knew nothing of this matter. I would never presume such a thing."

Inside, he was cursing furiously.

That idiot Daphne! Why bring this up now?

Not only had she put Elowen in an impossible position, she had dragged him straight into the mess as well.

"How very convenient," Theodric said with a cold snort.

His voice was not loud, yet the entire hall felt the weight of it pressing down like thunderclouds.

"If this was not done with your approval, why would the Crown Princess dare to behave so boldly in my presence?"

When a ruler's anger ignites, even the air in the room seems to tighten.

The vast hall fell into dead silence. One could have heard a pin drop.

Cold sweat beaded along Alaric's temples. He wanted to explain, yet he truly had no idea why Daphne had suddenly started this confrontation tonight. The words caught in his throat. In the end, he could only lower his head further.

Daphne felt that crushing pressure as well. It was as though a mountain had settled onto her shoulders. Cold sweat soaked through her back as her legs gave out beneath her.

She dropped to the floor with a heavy thud.

Fighting down her terror, her voice trembled.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This matter, this was entirely my own idea. It has absolutely nothing to do with His Highness."

Theodric said nothing.

Pressing her forehead to the floor, Daphne continued.

"Elowen and I grew up together. We were once as close as sisters. How could I deliberately make things difficult for her? His Grace's injured leg aside, the Duke still has no heir. The sages once said that among the greatest failings of a family is leaving no descendants. I am not asking for the Duke and Duchess to separate. I only thought that if Princess Flowira were welcomed into Duskmoor Manor as a secondary consort, she might soon give His Grace a child and continue the bloodline. That would be a blessing for the royal family and for the realm itself."

Her voice grew steadier as she continued.

"I am only thinking of the royal bloodline. In truth, I'm thinking of the Duchess as well. If she remains childless for too long, people will inevitably accuse her of jealousy and say she lacks virtue. That reputation would follow her forever."

Every word landed squarely on the matter that had long weighed on Theodric's mind.

For a royal family, heirs were no small matter.

Cassian was the brother Theodric trusted most, yet he was no longer young and still had no children.

It had always been a quiet worry in Theodric's heart.

The hall fell into brief silence.

Seeing that the ruler had not immediately objected, Daphne pressed on.

"And besides, if what Lyra said earlier is true, then the fault lies with the Duchess. What man in this world, especially one of royal blood, has only one wife? Your Majesty has Her Majesty the Empress, Lady Elira, and many other consorts in the palace. Her Majesty has always been gracious and broad-minded. As a daughter-in-law of the royal house, how can the Duchess of Duskmoor be so narrow-hearted that she cannot tolerate even one secondary consort?"

Elowen listened to the entire speech and smiled faintly.

Daphne had already dug the pit herself.

Now it was time for her to fall into it.

Elowen rose and offered a respectful bow toward Theodric. Her eyes were bright and steady.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid I cannot agree to this."

Theodric slowly turned his gaze toward her. His eyes were deep and unreadable, carrying the unmistakable scrutiny of a ruler.

Daphne let out a soft sigh.

"Aunt Elowen, I just explained the situation very clearly. Why are you still so stubborn? Welcoming Princess Flowira into the manor as a secondary consort would benefit His Grace, the royal family, and even you. Everything I've said comes from sincere concern for your sake."

On the surface she looked sorrowful.

Inside, she was almost giddy with anticipation.

She had already tied the matter of taking another wife to the interests of the realm. Yet Elowen still refused outright.

After tonight, the label of jealousy would cling to her no matter what.

A woman's reputation was priceless in this world. Once it was stained, Elowen would never recover, and even Hale Manor behind her would share the disgrace.

The thought sent a twisted thrill racing through Daphne.

Elowen's expression did not change. She spoke calmly, "His Grace is not without an heir."

Daphne sneered inwardly.

To avoid accepting another woman into the manor, Elowen had even resorted to such an absurd excuse.

Theodric's brows lifted slightly.

"What do you mean by that?"