Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 453: Drawing the Net

Elowen had not truly forgiven Maerwyn, though she had come to recognize that the princess's affection and guilt were both real.

She understood something else just as clearly. If anything were to happen to her, Maerwyn would not remain indifferent.

On the day of the feast, Elowen quietly began to close her trap.

She stationed herself in the study with the household ledger, then dismissed her attendants one after another with excuses that sounded perfectly reasonable, until only Alyssa remained. After a while, she casually mentioned that she felt like having something warm to drink.

The water Alyssa brought was, of course, untouched and entirely safe.

Alyssa was far too careful to act on her own at a time like this. Without clear instruction, she would never risk doing anything that might turn suspicion back on herself.

And yet, Elowen fainted again.

This time, everything had already been arranged with Cassian, Sylvia, and Rowena.

Sylvia and Rowena deliberately delayed before entering the royal residence, only reporting the matter once enough time had passed.

Just as Elowen expected, Maerwyn hurried over without hesitation.

For several nights beforehand, Elowen and Cassian had gone over every line together, refining their words until nothing felt out of place. So the moment they heard Isla and the princess had arrived, the two of them slipped into their roles effortlessly, their voices weaving together so naturally it felt almost real.

Everything Maerwyn heard was exactly what Elowen intended her to hear.

What she had not expected was Isla's presence as well, which made the entire performance land far better than planned.

"Where are Beatrice and Alyssa now?" Elowen asked.

"They've been kept in separate guest chambers, just as Your Grace ordered, with guards watching them at all times," Gerda replied.

Elowen gave a small nod.

After today, neither of them would remain at the manor.

That part, however, would not require her involvement.

Reclining against the headboard, her fingers absently tracing the stitched patterns on the coverlet, Elowen let her thoughts settle.

"If I were Isla, I wouldn't sit back and wait for this to play out. I'd go straight to His Majesty and get ahead of it. I'd lower myself enough to admit I misjudged the people under me and failed to keep proper order, then offer to make amends for the fright caused at Duskmoor Manor. After that, I'd press him to let me bring Beatrice and Alyssa back to the royal residence, so I could question them myself and deal with it under my own authority."

She let out a quiet breath.

"Alyssa didn't do a thing. What she brought me was perfectly clean. If Isla takes her back, she'll see that for herself right away. And even if she doesn't act on it immediately, she'll hold onto that truth and wait for the right moment to use it."

That alone made it dangerous.

Cassian shifted slightly, a relaxed ease in his posture, one brow lifting just a fraction. "In that case, I should make a visit to the royal residence myself."

Elowen turned her head toward him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "What for?"

A faint smile curved at the corner of his mouth, unhurried and deliberate. "We're not done yet. Might as well give them one more scene."

There were still cracks in the plan.

He kept that to himself, only reaching out to lightly brush his fingers over the back of her hand. "Get some rest. I won't be long."

Elowen nodded, quiet and compliant.

Elsewhere, Maerwyn was still seething. She climbed into her carriage and left immediately for the royal residence, not waiting for Isla.

By the time Isla arrived, some time had already passed.

She went straight to seek an audience with the king, but the moment she stepped into the council chamber, a goblet came hurtling toward her.

"Your Majesty!"

Hilda cried out and pulled Isla back just in time.

The goblet struck the stone floor and shattered, fragments scattering across the tiles.

Startled, Isla looked up and met Theodric's cold, furious gaze from behind the long table.

Her heart sank at once.

Maerwyn must have told him everything.

"Isla, you've truly outdone yourself," Theodric said, his voice edged with anger. "It wasn't enough to intimidate Elowen, so you thought you'd meddle with what she drinks as well. It seems taking the Queen's Privy Seal from you wasn't lesson enough. A woman capable of this has no place holding the seat of queen."

Isla stood frozen for a moment.

In all these years, she had never seen him like this.

She had been raised in privilege, never spoken to so harshly, never publicly condemned like this.

"Maerwyn told me everything," he continued. "Elowen showed you no disrespect. I know you favored that ivory goddess carving and wanted it for Maerwyn, but Cassian is my brother, and he's given more to Avenlor than most. The royal residence is full of treasures. You could have chosen another. There was no need to go this far."

A sharp mix of hurt and indignation rose in Isla's chest, her eyes reddening, though she did not argue.

Instead, she lowered herself into a deep, formal bow, her posture composed and restrained.

Theodric watched her for a moment, and the edge of his anger dulled slightly.

"I was wrong," Isla said softly. "However Your Majesty chooses to deal with me, I will accept it without complaint."

He studied her, then exhaled. "Elowen and the child are unharmed. There's no need for severe punishment."

Isla kept her head lowered, her voice faintly unsteady. "Thank you, Your Majesty."