Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 455: A Courtly Turn

Theodric spoke first, his tone measured but cool. "Elowen is still recovering. There was no need for her to come all this way."

Cassian let out a soft breath, as if weighing whether to speak at all, though in the end he continued anyway. "She insisted on making things clear in person. The water served earlier was perfectly fine. She simply had a restless night and barely slept, then spent the entire morning going through the manor's ledgers without pause. It wore her down more than she realized, and she fainted from the strain. It has nothing to do with Alyssa."

Theodric frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

At that, Isla lowered herself where she stood, her posture composed, though her shoulders tightened for the briefest moment.

Cassian went on, his voice calm and even. "She also said that Your Majesty endured more than most could imagine to bring Princess Maerwyn into this world. Now that she is expecting a child of her own, she understands more clearly what that bond truly means. She could not bear to see distance grow between mother and daughter. Since the water was never the issue and Alyssa did nothing wrong, she hopes Your Majesty will not blame yourself, and that you and His Majesty will set the record straight with Princess Maerwyn, so she does not continue to misunderstand her own mother."

The room fell quiet.

Hilda's face drained of color, while Isla's fingers curled tightly against her palm.

What a carefully staged performance.

One played the fragile lady back at Duskmoor Manor, all softness and restraint, while the other arrived here to play the generous noble, speaking as though he were above it all.

Every word sounded reasonable, even kind, yet each one closed in around her, leaving no space to maneuver.

She had never ordered anything of the sort, yet hearing it framed this way, spoken by Cassian himself, only made her seem more suspicious, while casting the Duchess as thoughtful and gracious.

After a brief pause, Cassian continued, "While I was waiting outside, I heard mention of bringing Beatrice and Alyssa back for punishment. Since Ella has already made it clear they are not at fault, perhaps it would be better to bring them back and see that they are properly looked after instead. They were drawn into this unfairly."

Isla's pulse quickened, unease rising fast.

If she agreed, she would look small-minded and unwilling to accept goodwill. If she refused, it would only deepen suspicion.

Cassian had guided her into a position that looked courteous on the surface, yet left her surrounded on all sides.

Theodric's expression softened just slightly. "Elowen is considerate. She understands what matters."

His gaze shifted toward Isla, and though he did not openly rebuke her, his displeasure turned elsewhere, settling firmly on Hilda.

Her earlier words had clearly crossed a line.

"An impertinent servant."

His voice sharpened, carrying the weight of authority. "In the inner court, it seems discipline grows weaker by the day. Your mistress had not even spoken, yet you stepped forward to speak in her place, stirring trouble and driving a wedge where there should be none. Who gave you that right?"

Hilda immediately lowered herself, her forehead nearly touching the floor. "I was wrong, Your Majesty. I accept any punishment."

Theodric did not relent. "As for the two from Duskmoor Manor, Beatrice and Alyssa, their handling of this matter has been careless enough to cause unnecessary turmoil. There is no need for them to return to service in the inner court. Have them brought back and placed in the laundry ward for discipline. Without my word, they are not to leave."

Isla's breath caught.

The laundry ward was firmly under Elira's influence.

And Elira had already made her position clear.

If those two ended up there, it would not end well.

"Your Majesty..." Hilda began, unable to stop herself.

But Isla reached out at once, catching her by the arm and stopping her before she could say more.

There was no salvaging this through argument.

Cassian watched the exchange without missing a detail, his gaze steady before he spoke again. "Since I am already here, there is one more thing I hesitate to bring up."

Theodric glanced at him. "Then say it."

Cassian inclined his head slightly. "The attendants sent to Duskmoor Manor have not performed particularly well. It seems Lady Elira may still be finding her footing when it comes to selecting the right people. The Queen's Privy Seal governs all appointments within the inner court, and that is no small responsibility. If it proves too much, perhaps Your Majesty might consider returning it to Your Majesty," he said, gesturing politely toward Isla. "With her experience, matters would likely be handled more smoothly."

Isla held her composure, though her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

He makes it sound like concern, yet every word is a move.

Theodric gave a short, dismissive breath. "This has nothing to do with Elira's judgment. Those attendants were chosen by Isla herself and sent to Duskmoor Manor. The seal remains where it is."