Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 358: The Unexpected News

Daphne spoke first, her voice deliberately laced with surprise.

"Surely the Duchess isn't claiming she secretly arranged for one of His Grace's attendants to share his bed, and that woman is already expecting?"

Elowen did not even glance at her.

She met Theodric's gaze calmly and spoke each word with absolute clarity.

"Your Majesty, I am carrying His Grace's child."

The words exploded through the hall like a thunderclap.

Alaric reacted the most violently. His head snapped up, his eyes locking onto Elowen's still-flat abdomen.

Shock flooded his face.

She's... pregnant?

Pregnant with Cassian's child?

Which means...

They've already shared a bed.

The mere thought of that closeness, skin against skin, made the world spin around him. Pain twisted through his chest. He had never even touched Elowen's hand.

Yet Cassian had already...

"How is that possible!"

Daphne cried out in shock, forgetting her composure entirely.

Elowen slowly turned her gaze toward her.

"Crown Princess, your reaction is rather puzzling. His Grace and I were joined in marriage by Your Majesty's own decree. We are husband and wife in every rightful sense. If I am carrying his child, that is the most natural thing in the world. Why would it be impossible?"

Daphne choked on the question. Color rushed to her cheeks.

"You... you're only saying this to stop Princess Flowira from entering the manor as a consort..."

"So you believe," Elowen continued calmly, "that I would lie to Your Majesty about pregnancy simply to prevent another woman from entering the manor?"

In truth, that was exactly what Daphne suspected.

But hearing it spoken aloud by Elowen somehow made the accusation sound far more dangerous.

Suppressing the strange unease creeping into her chest, Daphne forced a steady tone.

"Aunt Elowen exaggerates. I would never dare think such a disrespectful thing. However, this matter concerns the royal bloodline. It is only proper to be cautious. I believe it would be best to summon a royal physician and confirm the matter, simply for everyone's peace of mind."

The moment the words left her mouth, she caught the brief flicker of hesitation in Elowen's eyes.

So she really was bluffing.

Joy surged through Daphne.

She seized the moment and raised her voice, issuing orders before anyone else could speak.

"Guards. Go to the Royal Medical Hall immediately and bring the physician on duty here at once."

She was so eager to expose Elowen's supposed lie that she completely failed to notice the sudden darkness settling over Theodric's expression on the throne.

Elowen, however, was not surprised at all.

Of course Theodric was displeased.

At this grand banquet, with envoys from every corner of the realm present, the Crown Princess had begun issuing orders without waiting for his command.

Where did that leave the authority of the throne?

What should have been a joyous evening had been turned into chaos.

No ruler would be pleased.

Isla noticed Theodric's displeasure immediately. Inside, she was cursing Daphne for being a fool.

Yet worried that Daphne might drag the Crown Prince down with her, she quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Daphne, that's enough. The Duchess of Duskmoor is known for her virtue and dignity. She would never lie about something as serious as an heir. Your behavior is extremely improper. Apologize to the Duchess at once."

But Daphne had already been carried away by her own momentum.

She lifted her head stubbornly and looked straight at Isla.

"Your Majesty, it is precisely because this matter is so serious that I dare not be careless. Whether the Duchess is truly expecting concerns His Grace's heir. Summoning a physician to verify the matter is the most responsible course. If the Duchess truly is with child, I will accept whatever punishment Your Majesty sees fit."

Isla opened her mouth to respond.

Before she could speak, a cold laugh came from the throne.

"Summon him."

Theodric finally spoke. Each word sounded as if it had been forced out between clenched teeth.

"Since the Crown Princess insists, bring the physician. Bring him here and let him examine her thoroughly."

The moment she heard that tone, Isla's heart sank.

Theodric was truly angry. This matter would not end easily tonight.

At this point... she could only hope that Elowen was not actually pregnant.

If Daphne were punished, that was one thing. But if the matter implicated Alaric as well, the consequences could be disastrous.

Daphne, completely unaware of the storm about to descend upon her, stared fixedly at Elowen.

Elowen very cooperatively allowed a trace of unease to appear on her face.

Watching her, Daphne became even more certain.

Elowen, you're finished.

Moments later, an elderly physician with white-streaked hair hurried into the hall carrying a medicine case.

He had barely stepped inside when Daphne impatiently pointed toward Elowen.

"Corwin. Good, you're here. Go examine the Duchess of Duskmoor immediately. Be thorough."

Corwin had served in the palace for many years and understood court etiquette perfectly.

He ignored Daphne's order entirely, giving her only a brief glance before walking steadily toward the dais.

Lowering himself respectfully, he bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty," he said to Theodric and Isla.

Theodric's face remained dark as stone.

"Go. Examine the Duchess of Duskmoor carefully."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Corwin rose and approached the seats where Cassian and Elowen were sitting. He bowed respectfully to them both. "Your Grace."

Cassian's expression remained unreadable. He lifted his chin slightly.

"Go ahead."