Chapter 110: Beyond Rank and Title

Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Beyond Rank and Title

Cassiel’s brows drew together slightly.

"So you received Mrs. Rennor’s note before the official invitation from Merlinspire Manor?"

"Yes."

Elysia leaned a little closer.

"You find that strange too, don’t you?"

"It is unusual. Neither the Duke nor the Duchess of Merlinspire would knowingly slight me in such a manner. Someone in between them may be taking liberties though."

A faint unease settled over Elysia.

"Then... are we still going?"

Cassiel’s gaze settled on her face.

"Do you like water lilies?"

Elysia hesitated before answering honestly.

"Not particularly. Their seed pods are rather tasty, though, and lotus root can be prepared in quite a few ways. Mostly, Mrs. Rennor seems eager to go."

A soft chuckle escaped Cassiel.

"Then we’ll go."

"But—"

"If anyone shows you the slightest disrespect or attempts to bully you, you have my full authority to reprimand them as you see fit."

Elysia blinked.

"In Caelvyr, Merlinspire is a highly respected house. But you are different. You are the Duchess of Draevenor, the King’s sister-in-law. To insult you is to insult the King and me. So punishing them would simply be an extension of our authority."

He continued calmly, "Furthermore, the Queen will not be attending. Among the ladies present, you will hold the highest rank. You needn’t spare anyone’s pride."

Elysia considered that for a moment before a sudden thought occurred to her.

"Even... the Crown Prince?"

Cassiel looked at her with a questioning gaze.

"Could I reprimand him too?"

"If you wish so then yes."

His answer came without hesitation.

Elysia lowered her eyes, suddenly a little embarrassed.

"I’m worried I won’t know when to stop."

Cassiel’s tone remained lazy, but there was unmistakable seriousness beneath it.

"Should anything happen, send for me immediately. I will deal with whatever consequences follow."

His gaze remained steady.

"Even if it ends in murder, lay the blame at my feet."

Elysia stared at him.

For a moment, she almost felt like bowing to him right there.

What kind of man was this?

He spoke as though there were nothing she could do that he would not stand behind.

A strange pang of envy stirred within her.

Somewhere in this world, there was a woman who truly possessed Cassiel’s heart.

Who is she?

How fortunate she must be.

---

News of the Merlinspire water-lily gathering soon reached Rose Hall, along with the fact that the official invitation had been sent to Draevenor Manor after the other noble households.

Hearing of the event, an idea immediately occurred to Melissa.

She went to find Lillian, who was quietly working on her embroidery, her expression unusually peaceful.

"Lillian, dear, have you paid your respects to Her Grace today?"

Lillian didn’t look up.

"Mother, if you have something to say, just say it. Cousin-in-law already told me I don’t need to visit her every day."

’Cousin-in-law,’ indeed.

Melissa seethed inwardly.

As though that woman truly considers you family.

Her smile remained perfectly pleasant.

"I merely heard that Her Grace will be attending the gathering at Merlinspire Manor, so I came to ask what you intend to wear. If you don’t have anything new, I’ll have a fresh outfit made for you."

Lillian’s needle continued moving.

"Mother, I won’t be going."

Melissa frowned.

"How is that possible?"

"Have you forgotten what happened that day?" Lillian’s voice remained quiet. "Your words were unforgivable. You offended Duchess Yvette so thoroughly, and she won’t want to see me there. Why should I go and provoke her displeasure?"

Melissa immediately became anxious.

"That was then. Surely she can’t hold a grudge forever! Besides, you’re supposed to marry her son. She may be angry, but she won’t simply disregard her own son’s happiness."

Lillian finally looked up.

"You insulted her son as well. He’ll resent me because of it. He won’t want to marry me anymore."

Melissa froze.

The possibility had not occurred to her until Lillian said it aloud.

"Stop embroidering this nonsense and go to Her Grace!"

She reached towards the embroidery in frustration.

"Beg the Duchess to take you to Merlinspire Manor. When you see him, be sweet. Plead with him. If that doesn’t work, get him drunk."

Her voice dropped conspiratorially.

"Once you’re in his bed, he’ll have no choice but to marry you. And if anyone asks, you can simply say the Duchess of Draevenor taught you."

Lillian’s brows drew together.

Melissa reached over and prodded her lightly on the head.

"Are you even listening to me?"

Lillian moved aside, and Melissa’s finger met empty air.

The older woman stared at her daughter in surprise.

Lillian’s expression was unusually firm.

"Mother, I will never do such a thing. Don’t ask me again."

It was the first time Lillian had ever refused her so directly.

Melissa gaped at her for a moment before fury surged through her.

"You ungrateful girl! Now that you’ve attached yourself to the Duchess, you think your old mother is useless?"

Lillian bit her lip.

Elysia’s words came back to her.

You must learn to be strong.

You must learn to say no.

She drew a breath and forced herself to meet her mother’s eyes.

"Drugging him, forcing myself into his bed, and then blaming the Duchess if anyone finds out—is that what you call gratitude?"

Her voice trembled, but she did not retreat.

"That isn’t what Father taught me."

"Your father?"

Melissa gave a bitter scoff, all her old resentment for the man rising to the surface.

"What did he ever amount to? A short-lived fool who died early without even securing a title for this family!"

"Title..."

Lillian lowered her gaze.

"Title, title... it’s always about a title."

The words came out quietly at first, but the frustration she had buried for years finally broke through.

"Father had no title. But did you suffer after marrying him?"

Melissa’s expression hardened, yet Lillian continued.

"We weren’t grandly wealthy, but we never went without food or clothing. Every bit of his salary, every reward he received, he gave to you. He kept nothing for himself."

Her eyes glistened with tears.

"Father gave you everything he had, and yet you still speak of him as though he amounted to nothing simply because he never earned a title."