Chapter 114: The Past Sets Its Snare

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: The Past Sets Its Snare

The arrangements at Merlinspire Manor were much as Elysia remembered them.

Rows of shaded pavilions stood beside the sprawling water-lily pond, offering guests a cool place to rest between strolls. Tables had been laid out beneath the canopies, piled with fresh fruit, delicate pastries, and chilled refreshments.

But one thing was very different this time.

Elysia was not following Vaelen around like a nervous young bride desperate for his attention.

She walked beside Ismeria at an easy pace, occasionally exchanging a few words with her. Evren kept several steps behind them, maintaining the proper distance.

After a while, Elysia remembered something.

"How is Adela?"

"She stayed at home."

Ismeria’s smile held a touch of helplessness.

"Still hasn’t come to terms with everything?"

"Not quite."

Elysia could imagine how difficult it must be for the young girl to swallow her pride and let go of feelings she had harboured for so long, especially after everything that had happened.

She was searching for something comforting to say when a familiar voice reached her from behind.

"Your Grace."

She turned to find Deborah approaching with several young noblewomen in tow.

The moment their eyes met, Elysia almost sighed.

Persistent as ever.

Deborah lowered herself into a formal curtsy.

"Greetings, Your Grace."

The other ladies followed, though their expressions varied from awkwardness to curiosity.

Elysia knew most of them. They had once occupied much the same social circle, but marriage had rearranged the hierarchy among them. Some had risen considerably. Others had not been so fortunate.

Deborah seemed determined to remind everyone of that difference.

She looked towards the women beside her.

"Why are you all standing there? Her Grace is the Duchess of Draevenor now. Surely you haven’t forgotten how much respect such a position commands."

The words sounded courteous.

The tone was anything but.

Before Elysia could answer, Ismeria gave a light laugh.

"Lady Deborah, you needn’t sound so envious. Once you become Crown Princess, your own position will hardly be inferior. I’m sure these ladies will be falling over themselves to curry favour with you then."

Deborah’s smile faltered for the briefest moment, but she recovered quickly.

Elysia’s lips curved.

Ismeria truly was a great friend to have. With a single sentence, she successfully diverted the envious glances away from Elysia.

Just then, a sudden commotion broke out farther ahead.

"There’s a Moonveil Carp!"

"Where?"

"I saw it near the eastern bank!"

"It’s been years since anyone spotted one!"

The crowd stirred instantly.

Moonveil Carp were exceedingly rare, their pale scales said to gleam with a silvery-blue sheen beneath the sunlight. In Caelvyr, they were regarded as creatures of good fortune, and seeing one was considered an auspicious sign.

Elysia’s gaze remained fixed on the gathering crowd.

Her pulse gave a quiet, familiar beat.

She remembered this.

She remembered exactly what came next.

In her previous life, the discovery of the Moonveil Carp had drawn everyone towards the pond. The crowd had pressed together in excitement, and amid the confusion, someone had shoved her from behind.

She had gone straight into the water.

This time, however, she had no intention of letting history repeat itself.

"There’s really a Moonveil Carp?"

Ismeria’s eyes brightened with genuine interest.

She had been hoping to see one herself.

Perhaps she would even make a wish.

For Adela, most likely.

Ismeria still desperately wanted her daughter to abandon her hopeless infatuation with Cassiel.

More and more people were gathering by the pond.

Elysia smiled.

"Go and have a look."

"You aren’t coming?"

"I’ll join you later."

There was no need to hurry.

The fish was not what interested her.

The person she was waiting for was.

"Very well. I will see you there."

Ismeria joined the crowd.

Elysia turned to Evren.

"Shouldn’t you go with your aunt?"

Evren hesitated.

Elysia’s eyes gleamed with amusement.

"What is it? Worried about leaving your grandaunt by herself?"

His expression tightened at once.

He clearly still hadn’t grown accustomed to that particular title.

Without another word, he went after Ismeria.

Elysia almost laughed.

Then Deborah stepped closer.

"Your Grace, aren’t you curious?"

Elysia glanced at her.

Deborah lowered her voice, making the concern in it sound almost sincere.

"If I were you, I’d make a wish while you still have the chance. Perhaps you should wish for the Duke to forget the woman he loves."

Her smile became faintly smug.

"Otherwise, what will happen if that woman returns one day? There may be no place left for you in Draevenor Manor."

Elysia looked at her for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"Didn’t you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"The woman Cassiel holds in his heart is me."

Deborah’s face froze.

"That’s impossible."

Naturally, Elysia had made it up. But she saw no reason to admit that.

"The Duke told me himself."

She gave Deborah a pleasant smile.

"If you doubt me, you’re welcome to ask him... But of course, you’ll have to decide whether you’re willing to risk another punishment first."

Deborah’s expression changed.

Elysia continued innocently,

"Six hours on your knees next time, wasn’t it?"

The colour drained slightly from Deborah’s face.

She forced herself to smile.

"Your Grace, why would I doubt you? I only thought..."

Her gaze flicked towards the pond.

"...that since I’m to be married soon, perhaps we could go and see the Moonveil Carp together."

The excuse sounded reasonable.

But Elysia knew exactly what Deborah wanted.

She wanted her beside the water.

She wanted the crowd nearby.

And she wanted the opportunity to recreate what had happened in her previous life.

Elysia said nothing.

The faint amusement in her eyes was enough to make Deborah uneasy.

Had she noticed something?

Deborah’s thoughts raced.

She needed another excuse. Something that would make Elysia lower her guard.

But before she could find one, Elysia’s attention shifted past her.

"Lord Reeve."

Deborah turned instinctively.

Reeve was standing nearby.

Elysia addressed him with an easy smile.

"Does Merlinspire Manor really have a Moonveil Carp?"

Reeve nodded.

"There is one. Though no one has seen it for years."

His gaze moved towards the pond.

"If Your Grace wishes, I can have someone look for it."

Elysia gestured towards Deborah.

"No need. Lady Deborah is the one desperate to see it. She’s been trying very hard to convince me to go with her."

Reeve looked at Deborah and the warmth disappeared from his expression almost instantly.

Their previous encounter outside the palace had left him with little goodwill towards her.