Chapter 129: The Echo of a Reckless Moment

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: The Echo of a Reckless Moment

Bran turned towards Vaelen with an innocent expression.

"Isn’t that right, Your Highness?"

Vaelen’s fingers curled tightly at his sides. His jaw clenched, and after a moment, he managed a distracted grunt.

"Right."

Bran nodded cheerfully, apparently satisfied.

"Well, since His and Her Grace are... occupied, I suppose I’ll return later."

He turned as though he were about to leave, then looked back at Vaelen.

"Your Highness, shall we go together? Their Graces are busy, after all. We can’t exactly help them, and standing outside listening to other people’s private affairs would be rather perverse."

Vaelen froze.

He had been doing precisely that.

For some reason, Bran’s words made the situation even more humiliating.

Why have I never realised before how irritating this man is?

Bran grinned and reached out as though he intended to physically drag the Crown Prince away.

"Bran."

Cassiel’s lazy voice came from inside the room.

Bran’s movements stopped at once.

He turned back towards the door.

A moment later, the quiet sound of wheels rolling across the floorboards came from within.

The door opened.

Cassiel wheeled himself out.

Vaelen’s gaze immediately settled on his uncle.

Cassiel still looked pale, and his handsome features retained their usual coldness. Yet there was something subtly different about him today.

A faint trace of satisfaction lingered in his expression.

Vaelen’s eyes lowered before he could stop himself.

They landed on Cassiel’s collar.

A small, vivid red mark stood out against the fabric.

It looked suspiciously like a smear of lip colour.

And the shade was unmistakably similar to the colour Elysia had worn that day.

Vaelen’s expression stiffened.

For an instant, an image he desperately did not want to see flashed through his mind—Elysia in Cassiel’s arms, her lips against his.

A hollow ache spread through his chest.

He looked away.

"Your Grace, why did you come out?" Bran asked. "Where’s Her Grace?"

Although Bran had asked the question, Cassiel’s gaze shifted towards Vaelen.

"She is tired."

His voice was calm and matter-of-fact.

"She’s resting."

Vaelen’s shoulders stiffened.

Tired?

His imagination immediately supplied the rest.

She... they...

He quickly lowered his gaze.

Cassiel, however, showed no intention of explaining further.

Instead, he looked towards Bran.

"You said you caught someone?"

Bran’s expression immediately became serious.

"Yes, Your Grace."

He straightened.

"Thanks to Her Grace’s excellent plan, the Duke of Merlinspire and I were stationed at the manor’s exits. The servant changed his clothes and tried to slip out while everyone was distracted."

A grin returned to Bran’s face.

"Unfortunately for him, I caught him on the spot."

A faint smile appeared on Cassiel’s lips.

"My wife has always been clever."

There was unmistakable pride in his voice.

Then his expression hardened again.

"Have you interrogated him?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

Bran’s smile disappeared.

"He hasn’t said a word. He’s extremely stubborn. He even tried to bite down on a poison pill."

Bran paused, looking slightly pleased with himself.

"But I managed to pry his mouth open and remove it before he could swallow it."

Cassiel gave a low hum.

"Take him back."

His gaze turned cold.

"We’ll interrogate him properly."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Bran bowed and motioned for his men to follow.

Within moments, they disappeared down the corridor, leaving the doorway quiet once more.

Cassiel’s gaze settled on the only person who remained.

Vaelen.

"You still need something?"

Vaelen immediately looked down, unable to meet his uncle’s gaze.

"No..."

Cassiel’s voice cooled.

"Then go back."

Vaelen remained where he was.

He hesitated before drawing a slow breath.

"Uncle, about Elysia..."

The instant her name left his mouth, Cassiel’s brows drew together.

A distinct click of displeasure came from him.

Vaelen’s heart skipped.

He hurriedly corrected himself.

"...Aunt."

Only then did the tension in Cassiel’s expression ease slightly.

Vaelen’s hands tightened again.

He knew he should leave.

He also knew that what he was about to say was none of his business.

Yet the words came anyway.

"Earlier, by the lily pond, I saw Aunt Elysia with Evren. They seemed rather intimate."

Inside the room, Elysia was sitting quietly on a chair.

She had not yet recovered completely from the kisses. Her breathing had settled, but her face was still warm enough that she had no desire to step outside and face anyone yet.

With the door open, however, every word from the corridor reached her clearly.

Her eyes widened.

Vaelen?!

Anger surged through her.

What nonsense is he telling Cassiel now?

She clenched her fingers against her skirt.

Is he so desperate to find fault with me that he can’t even bear to see my marriage remain peaceful?

Outside, Cassiel remained remarkably composed.

"Evren is your second uncle’s grandson."

His tone suggested that the matter hardly warranted discussion.

"He should address your aunt as ’Grandaunt’. A little familiarity between them is hardly unusual."

Vaelen’s expression tightened.

"But Evren is close to Aunt Elysia in age."

He paused before adding,

"And when you weren’t present, it was just the two of them."

Cassiel’s gaze sharpened.

"Speaking of age..."

He looked directly at Vaelen.

"You and your aunt are also close in age."

Vaelen faltered.

Cassiel continued before he could respond.

"And childhood companions."

The final two words carried a weight that made Vaelen’s face stiffen.

"Uncle, I swear upon my honour, I have never had the slightest improper thought towards her!"

He raised a hand solemnly, as though making a formal oath.

Cassiel stared at him.

"You had better not."

There was little warmth left in his voice.

His patience was clearly running thin.

"You should leave now."

Vaelen hesitated.

Then, unable to resist, he glanced at Cassiel.

"And you, Uncle?"

Cassiel’s expression became icy.

"Haven’t decided."

His gaze narrowed slightly.

"Would you like to make the decision for me?"

The sarcasm was unmistakable.

Vaelen immediately lowered his head.

"I wouldn’t dare."

Cassiel said nothing.

The silence stretched for a moment before Vaelen finally bowed.

"I’ll take my leave."

He turned and walked away.

Cassiel watched him go, a faint frown settling between his brows.

Once Vaelen had disappeared from sight, Cassiel turned his wheelchair back towards the room.

Elysia was still sitting in the chair.

The heat in her cheeks had faded somewhat, but her delicate brows were drawn tightly together.

She looked thoroughly vexed.

Cassiel stopped in front of her and raised a brow.

"What is it?"

Elysia puffed out her cheeks.

"I’m angry."

"Because of Vaelen?"

She didn’t answer.

Instead, she lowered her gaze towards her knees.

A faint, persistent ache had begun to settle there.

Cassiel noticed the movement.

He manoeuvred his wheelchair closer, his gaze following hers.

"What are you thinking about?"

Elysia remained quiet for a moment.

Then she lowered her voice.

"I’m thinking..."

Her fingers tightened slightly against her skirt.

"If only I hadn’t thrown myself forward that day."

Cassiel’s gaze dropped to her knees as well.

The first time he had ever seen Elysia had been on the race grounds.