Chapter 121: Her Husband in Peril

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Her Husband in Peril

The Duke of Merlinspire fell silent for a moment, his brow furrowing.

As a man who had witnessed his share of grand spectacles and political intrigues, he wasn’t prone to panic. Still, there was something about today’s events that felt deeply wrong.

The Duke had no desire to become entangled in whatever scheme was unfolding, but neither could he simply pretend nothing was happening.

He turned towards Elysia.

"Your Grace, what do you think?"

He was clearly asking for her judgement.

Elysia didn’t answer immediately.

Her thoughts were in turmoil.

If Cassiel really is meeting the woman he loves, then perhaps I shouldn’t intrude.

She had already known there was someone else in his heart.

If he had chosen to meet that woman today, what right did she have to interfere?

But Deborah had deliberately brought the matter into the open.

If Elysia now refused to investigate, everyone would assume she had been publicly humiliated by her own husband and was too afraid to face the truth. She would become a laughingstock.

She couldn’t allow that.

More importantly, something about the situation still bothered her.

Her gaze shifted towards Bran.

And suddenly, a thought struck her.

Bran was Cassiel’s trusted lieutenant.

If Cassiel had truly come here to meet another woman in secret, he would never have sent Bran away. He would have kept his most trusted subordinate nearby to stand guard.

Yet Bran had been sent to find her.

He hadn’t been given any elaborate instructions.

He had simply come looking for her.

Elysia’s eyes narrowed.

Perhaps there hadn’t been enough time for Cassiel to arrange anything else.

Perhaps the moment he realised something was wrong, his first instinct had been to send Bran for her.

And if that was the case...

Cassiel wasn’t meeting another woman.

He was in danger.

The realisation struck with startling clarity.

Elysia’s expression changed instantly.

She rose to her feet.

"What are you going to do?"

Deborah’s voice came from nearby.

Her tone was almost teasing.

"You’re not actually going to find out who the Duke is with, are you?"

Deborah’s lips curved into a sympathetic smile.

"If I may say so, Your Grace, you really shouldn’t go."

She lowered her voice as though offering sincere advice.

"The Duke might be enjoying himself right now..."

Smack!

The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the garden.

Deborah staggered half a step, one hand flying to her cheek.

Elysia faced her, her voice quiet but carrying clearly.

"Deborah. If I discover that today’s events have anything to do with you—if you deliberately framed the Duke or played any part in what happened..."

"We will settle every grievance between us. The old ones and the new."

Deborah’s fingers trembled against her cheek.

Elysia didn’t wait for a response.

She turned towards the Duke of Merlinspire.

"Your Lordship, where is the west wing? Please lead me there."

The Duke studied her face.

There was no hesitation in her eyes.

"You truly intend to go?"

From everything he had seen, there was a very real possibility that Duke Cassiel was indeed meeting another woman.

If Elysia walked into the west wing and found them together, she would have to face the humiliation before everyone who followed her.

Still, Elysia answered without hesitation.

"Yes."

The Duke sighed inwardly.

Duchess Elysia is still too young.

She insists on seeing the truth with her own eyes, even if that truth breaks her heart.

But since she had made up her mind, he could hardly stop her.

"Very well."

He gestured towards the path.

"Please follow me."

Elysia immediately followed.

Evren fell into step behind her without hesitation.

His expression was serious, and his attention remained fixed on the path ahead.

A short distance behind them, Vaelen remained where he stood.

His brows were slightly furrowed as he watched Elysia disappear towards the west wing.

He had heard every word.

If Uncle Cassiel really was involved with another woman...

And if Elysia saw the truth for herself...

Perhaps this was exactly what needed to happen.

Hadn’t she always insisted that marrying Cassiel had been her own choice?

Hadn’t she repeatedly claimed she was happy?

Once she saw him with another woman, surely that illusion would finally shatter.

She would realise who was truly the best man for her.

She would regret not choosing him at the banquet.

The thought pleased Vaelen more than he cared to admit.

He stepped forward.

"Your Highness..."

Deborah’s voice stopped him.

Vaelen glanced back.

The slap had left a vivid red mark across Deborah’s cheek.

Several strands of her hair had fallen loose, framing her face. Her eyes were moist, and she looked up at him with unmistakable vulnerability.

"Your Highness..."

She touched her cheek.

"My face hurts."

Vaelen gave a distracted hum.

"Then get some rest."

He turned away.

Deborah stared at him.

"Won’t you stay with me?"

Vaelen’s brows drew together.

"What good would that do? It’s not like I’m a physician."

Before she could say anything else, he was already walking away.

"Draevenor Manor has a physician. Go and have them examine you."

Then he left.

He didn’t look back.

His footsteps carried him unmistakably towards the west wing.

The same direction Elysia had gone.

Deborah stood frozen, staring at the empty space where he had been.

Her fingers curled into her palm.

The sting in her cheek was nothing compared to the fury rising inside her.

Elysia.

Elysia.

Always Elysia.

No matter what she did, somehow everything still revolved around that woman.

Her resentment burned hotter with every passing moment.

Elsewhere, Bran was already explaining everything to Elysia as they hurried towards the west wing.

"As soon as His Grace finished his duties at the army camp, he took a carriage here."

Elysia listened carefully.

"At the side gate, a servant stopped him. He told His Grace that you were waiting for him in the west wing."

"A servant?"

Elysia’s gaze sharpened.

"Yes."

Bran nodded.

"He also knew about Lady Deborah falling into the pond and accusing you of pushing her."

Elysia’s expression grew colder.

So the servant had been following them.

Or at the very least, someone had been keeping a close watch on everything that happened in the garden.

And they had known exactly when Cassiel arrived.

This was no longer a matter of coincidence.

"Can you remember what he looked like?"

Bran answered without hesitation.

"Yes. If I see him again, I’ll recognise him immediately."

Elysia nodded, reassured by his certainty.

"Good."

She then turned towards the Duke of Merlinspire.

"Your Lordship, today’s events are clearly more complicated than they first appeared."

Her voice remained calm, but there was an unmistakable edge of urgency beneath it.

"I didn’t bring many people with me and am not overly familiar with your manor. I hope you can assign additional hands to help secure the estate. No one—guest or servant—is to enter or leave."