Chapter 118: The Scent of Deception

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: The Scent of Deception

The senior maid lowered her voice and spoke quickly.

"Mrs. Rennor has just received word that Miss Rennor slipped out of the house. No one knows where she has gone."

Elysia’s expression changed.

"Adela?"

The maid nodded.

"Mrs. Rennor was extremely worried that Miss Rennor might get herself into trouble, so she hurried home immediately. It happened so suddenly that she couldn’t come and tell you herself. She asked me to inform you and assure you that she is handling the matter."

Adela had slipped out of the house.

A sudden unease stirred in Elysia’s chest.

Could she be coming here?

After everything that had happened, Elysia couldn’t imagine Ismeria willingly allowing her daughter to attend the gathering. If Adela had left without permission, there was little doubt that she had come with a purpose.

But what could it be?

---

At the Northern Garrison.

Cassiel had just finished dealing with the day’s military affairs and was preparing to leave when an officer hurried after him.

"Your Grace!"

The tall, broad-shouldered man caught up with him, wearing an earnest smile.

"I’ve been meaning to thank you. My personal affairs caused quite a commotion here before. You not only chose not to hold my past mistakes against me, but even gave me advice that helped settle the matter."

He clasped his hands together.

"Things are unusually quiet today. Allow me to buy you a drink before you leave."

Cassiel didn’t even pause.

"No."

The officer blinked.

Cassiel continued towards his carriage.

"I have somewhere to be."

The officer hurried alongside him.

"Where could Your Grace possibly need to go? Everything at the garrison has already been settled for the day. You don’t need to return to the palace either."

Cassiel stopped beside the carriage.

"I’m going to Merlinspire Manor."

The answer was simple.

"My wife is there."

For a moment, the officer stared at him.

Then understanding dawned, followed by an amused chuckle.

"Ah, of course!"

He immediately stepped aside.

"Your Grace is newly married. Forgive me for keeping you. Her Grace must be waiting for you."

A faint change passed through Cassiel’s eyes.

Is Elysia waiting for me?

He didn’t voice the thought.

Without another word, he entered the carriage and departed the garrison.

As the carriage passed through a side gate of Merlinspire Manor, a frantic voice suddenly rang out from behind.

"Duke Cassiel!"

The shouting continued.

"Duke Cassiel! Please, wait!"

The coachman glanced towards Cassiel.

"Stop."

The carriage came to a prompt halt.

Cassiel pushed open the carriage door and looked towards the side gate.

A round-faced servant boy stood there, bowing repeatedly. His expression was eager, almost ingratiating.

Cassiel’s gaze settled on him.

"What is it?"

The servant immediately smiled.

"Her Grace sent me, Your Grace."

At the mention of Elysia, some of the coldness left Cassiel’s face.

"What happened to her?"

"Nothing, Your Grace. Her Grace is perfectly well. She’s resting in the west wing at present."

The servant spoke rapidly, as though eager to reassure him.

"She instructed me to bring you to her the moment you arrived. She said you were to go straight to her."

Cassiel’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"She asked for me?"

"Yes."

"Did she say anything else?"

The servant hesitated.

He seemed momentarily caught off guard by the question. Then he lowered his gaze and sighed, carefully arranging his expression into one of concern.

"Your Grace, you may not have heard what happened here today."

Cassiel said nothing.

The servant continued.

"Lady Deborah fell into the pond while trying to see the fish. After being rescued, she actually accused Her Grace of pushing her."

His expression became increasingly sympathetic.

"From what I witnessed, Her Grace was the one who was wronged. She looked terribly upset afterwards. She told me that if I saw you, I was to bring you to her at once."

He lowered his voice.

"She looked as though she might cry."

Cassiel’s expression darkened.

His fingers began tapping lightly against the armrest of his wheelchair.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

There was no discernible rhythm to it.

The servant’s confident smile gradually faded.

He lowered his eyes, suddenly conscious of the oppressive silence.

Had he said too much?

For a long moment, Cassiel remained motionless.

Then, at last, he spoke.

"Lead the way."

Relief immediately washed over the servant’s face.

"Of course, Your Grace. This way."

He turned and began walking.

Bran followed behind, pushing Cassiel’s wheelchair.

They had gone some distance when the servant glanced back.

He smiled pleasantly at Bran.

"Sir, why don’t you let me push His Grace? It’s terribly hot today. You could rest for a while."

Bran didn’t answer.

Instead, he looked at Cassiel.

Cassiel met his eyes.

The exchange lasted only a moment.

Then Cassiel spoke.

"You may rest."

Bran immediately understood.

He stepped back and gave a slight nod.

The servant’s eyes brightened.

"Thank you, Sir."

He quickly moved behind the wheelchair and took hold of the handles.

As they continued towards the west wing, he occasionally glanced over his shoulder.

Each time, he made certain Bran was still behind them.

When he was satisfied that the man had truly stopped following, a faint, triumphant smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Soon, they reached the west wing.

The servant pushed Cassiel directly towards one of the rooms and stopped outside the door.

Even before entering, Cassiel noticed something unusual.

A scent drifted faintly through the doorway.

Sweet.

Rich.

Familiar.

His brows drew together.

He knew that fragrance.

He simply couldn’t recall where.

The servant, seemingly unaware of Cassiel’s reaction, stepped forward and knocked.

"Your Grace, His Grace has arrived."

There was no answer.

Before Cassiel could say anything, the servant opened the door and pushed the wheelchair inside.

The fragrance immediately became stronger.

A censer sat upon the table, thin strands of fragrant smoke curling lazily into the air.

Beside it stood a wine jug.

Two wine cups had already been placed beside it.

Cassiel’s eyes swept across the room.

Nothing appeared unusual at first glance.

Yet the scent remained.

He had encountered it before.

The servant stopped the wheelchair near the table.

"Her Grace will be here shortly. Please wait here, Your Grace."

Cassiel’s gaze sharpened.

"Where is she now?"

The servant lowered his head.

"She should be here soon."

Before Cassiel could question him further, the servant hurried out.

The door closed behind him.

The footsteps outside quickly faded.

Cassiel sat alone in the room.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then he heard footsteps from the adjoining side of the room.

His gaze shifted.

A woman slowly emerged.

It was not Elysia.

Adela stood before him.

She wore a flowing gown of pale, moon-white gauze, the delicate fabric making her appear almost ethereal. Her expression was carefully arranged to look fragile and vulnerable, her eyes carrying a pleading softness.

"Cassiel..."

She spoke his name quietly.

Cassiel’s face remained utterly expressionless.

"Wasn’t it Elysia who wanted to see me?"

Adela’s lashes lowered.

"It was."

She walked towards the table.

"But she hasn’t arrived yet."

She picked up the wine jug and poured a cup.

The wine caught the light as it filled the delicate glass.

Adela held it carefully between her slender fingers before approaching him.

"Her Grace asked me to make sure you had something to drink first."

Her voice was soft and gentle.

"She said you must be tired after travelling all the way here beneath the summer sun."

She extended the cup towards him.

"Please, rest for a while."

Cassiel looked at the wine.

Then at her.

Adela’s smile remained delicate.

"Cassiel, won’t you drink?"

---

Outside the room, the round-faced servant hurried away.

He soon reached a secluded corner beside the rockery, where a maid was waiting anxiously.

The moment she saw him, she stepped forward.

"Well?"

Her voice was tense.

"How did it go?"