Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 454: Turning the Tide

"Your Majesty!"

Hilda could not remain silent any longer. She stepped forward despite herself. "Her Majesty has been wronged."

Theodric frowned, clearly displeased. "And what is it you think you're adding to this?"

Isla turned slightly, her voice low but firm. "Hilda, that's enough."

But Hilda's expression tightened with resolve. "I've served you for decades. I won't stand by and watch you take the blame for something you didn't do."

Before Isla could stop her, Hilda lifted her gaze to the king.

"Your Majesty, if Her Majesty truly ordered harm against the Duchess and her unborn child, if Alyssa truly brought her tainted drink, then that would mean Her Majesty acted without a shred of sense. Alyssa was still at Duskmoor Manor. If anything happened, suspicion would point straight back to the royal residence. Anyone could see that. It would lead directly to Her Majesty."

Theodric's expression shifted, his brow drawing tighter as he considered her words.

"Whether that drink was ever tampered with, whether the Duchess truly collapsed because of it, only those at Duskmoor Manor would know. Only the Duchess herself would know. Perhaps that physician does as well, but he serves the Duke and Duchess. There is no reason to assume he would speak against them," Hilda continued, her voice thick with restrained emotion. "I beg you to look deeper into this."

Theodric's silence stretched.

Seeing that, Isla allowed herself the smallest breath of relief.

On their way back, she and Hilda had carefully gone through everything, piece by piece.

No scheme was ever flawless.

Elowen's move had been clever, but it was not beyond question.

There were too many details that did not hold up under scrutiny, and that gave them their chance.

"...Why would Elowen do such a thing?" Theodric said at last, his tone lower now.

Hilda stepped forward. "Have you forgotten, Your Majesty? The Duchess was once close to the Crown Prince, yet the match was never allowed. Later, Her Majesty arranged for Daphne to enter the Crown Prince's Wing. And during last autumn's hunt, His Highness killed the Duchess's prized horse right in front of her. She collapsed from the shock, and His Grace struck the Crown Prince before your very eyes. The Duchess has every reason to resent both His Highness and Her Majesty."

Theodric fell into thought.

Isla lowered herself even further, her voice quiet and controlled. "Your Majesty, what lies in the past can remain there. I do not wish to reopen old matters. But today's incident still reflects my failure. Beatrice and Alyssa came from my household. Now they have caused such trouble and nearly harmed the Duchess. I am deeply ashamed. I ask only for the chance to make this right. Allow me to bring them back to the royal residence. I will question them properly and deal with them as needed, so there is a clear answer for Duskmoor Manor."

As long as Alyssa is in my hands, the truth will come out. I can clear my name.

"Your Majesty."

At that moment, Quin entered and bowed his head. "Your Majesty, His Grace, the Duke of Duskmoor, requests an audience."

Isla stiffened slightly and exchanged a quick glance with Hilda.

This was not good.

Theodric paused, then said, "Let him in."

The quiet roll of wheels carried across the chamber floor.

Cassian entered, seated, with Bran guiding him forward. His dark attire set off the pale calm of his expression, his gaze steady and cool.

"Your Majesty," he said, inclining his head in greeting.

Theodric studied him briefly before gesturing. "You may rise. What brings you here now?"

Before Cassian could answer, Hilda spoke first.

"Your Grace, after what happened today, the Duchess was badly shaken, and her condition is fragile. You should be at the manor, staying by her side. His Majesty already understands the matter, and Her Majesty has accepted responsibility. There's no need for you to come all this way to press the issue further."

She drew in a breath, her tone edged with restrained grievance. "Unless, of course, you and the Duchess intend to push this until Her Majesty can no longer remain in her place."

Theodric's expression darkened slightly, though he said nothing.

Cassian let out a soft, humorless laugh, one brow lifting. "I didn't realize the royal household had begun taking its cues from a servant. Her Majesty hasn't spoken, yet you've already decided what I intend."

Hilda faltered, her face paling.

Cassian did not give her room to recover. He turned back to Theodric, his tone even.

"I had no intention of coming. Ella insisted on presenting herself despite her condition, determined to speak with you directly. I stopped her. If she had come, she would have heard those words for herself. She's already been shaken again and again these past days. If she were to believe she's unwelcome here, that any strain within the royal family is somehow her fault, it would weigh on her more than she could bear."