Chapter 134: A Diagnosis of Insecurity

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: A Diagnosis of Insecurity

The difference in their ages was undeniable.

Even Cassiel had never pretended otherwise.

"True," he admitted, lowering his gaze thoughtfully.

"That is why I kept my feelings to myself."

His fingers remained loosely entwined with Elysia’s.

"Many people knew I had someone I loved, but no one knew who she was."

Part of that secrecy had been for her sake.

He had wanted to protect Elysia’s reputation.

At the time, almost everyone in Caelvyr had regarded Elysia and Vaelen as childhood sweethearts. They had grown up together, and in the eyes of others, the two had seemed like an ideal match.

Cassiel had never initially intended to interfere.

He paused before continuing. "Back then, the only person who knew that you were the one I loved was His Majesty."

Elysia looked at him in surprise.

"That doesn’t seem right. When His Majesty asked me during the betrothal banquet whom I wished to marry, I told him your name. But..."

"He hesitated before agreeing. In fact, he advised me to reconsider."

Elysia’s expression changed.

"Why?"

A faint smile appeared on Cassiel’s lips.

"Because I was unconscious at the time."

Cassiel gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"His Majesty is perhaps more compassionate than you realise."

His voice softened.

"He remembered your father and brother’s years of military service. He knew what had happened to the Hartwell family, and he understood the position you had been left in."

Elysia felt something tighten in her throat.

She lowered her eyes, trying to steady herself.

Her father and brother had been gone for years, yet hearing that the King still remembered their service stirred something deep within her.

After a moment, she managed to ask, "But why are you telling me all this now?"

Cassiel studied her quietly.

"Because, Lysa, I’ve noticed something about you."

Elysia looked up.

"You lack confidence."

She stared at him.

"How can that be?"

The question escaped her before she could stop herself.

She had grown up in Hartwell Manor as the family’s only daughter.

Her brothers and cousins had spent their days outdoors, returning with sun-darkened skin and scraped knuckles, while she had been treated almost like a precious treasure.

She had always been indulged.

If she wanted something, someone would find a way to give it to her.

If she complained, someone would soothe her.

If she made a request, her family rarely had the heart to refuse.

She had been raised surrounded by affection.

How could she possibly be lacking in confidence?

Cassiel raised an eyebrow.

"Then tell me what you thought when I told you that I loved you."

Elysia opened her mouth, but no answer came.

"Don’t think about it too much."

His tone remained patient.

"Just tell me the first thing that came to mind."

She remained silent.

Cassiel prompted her again.

"If I tell you that I like you, what do you think?"

Elysia’s fingers tightened slightly around his.

She struggled for a moment before finally forcing herself to speak.

"I don’t see anything special about myself."

Her voice was quiet.

"Why would you like someone like me?"

The words sounded strange even to her.

She had never consciously thought of herself that way.

Yet now that Cassiel had asked, the answer had surfaced almost instinctively.

Cassiel looked at her for a long moment.

Then he said quietly, "You see, Lysa?"

His thumb brushed gently across her hand.

"You lack confidence."

Before Elysia could respond, footsteps sounded in the corridor.

Bran’s voice came from outside.

"Your Grace, Doctor Grey has arrived."

Elysia swallowed the words that had been forming on her tongue.

Cassiel glanced towards the door.

"I’ll have Doctor Grey attend to me. Why don’t you rest for a while?"

Elysia nodded.

Cassiel finally released her wrist, though not before his fingers rose to gently caress her cheek.

Colour rose to her cheeks at the touch. Then she swiftly moved to step out of the room.

There, for the first time, she saw the renowned Doctor Wulfric Grey.

He wore simple white robes without any unnecessary ornamentation. His complexion was remarkably fair, while his deep red lips and delicate features gave him an almost ambiguous beauty.

His slightly upturned eyes only added to the impression.

Elysia had heard countless descriptions of Wulfric.

None had quite prepared her for him.

The moment he noticed her, Wulfric inclined his head.

"Your Grace."

His voice was unexpectedly deep and resonant.

Elysia blinked.

Judging by that voice alone, she had imagined a towering man with a thick beard and an imposing presence.

The reality was almost the complete opposite.

She returned his smile.

"The Duke was inadvertently compelled to drink aphrodisiac wine earlier. I’m sorry to trouble you."

Wulfric was a man who had travelled extensively and encountered all manner of strange illnesses and circumstances.

He showed no particular surprise.

"Of course."

Elysia nodded before continuing down the corridor.

Sunlight poured through the tall windows, spilling across the polished floor and following her as she walked.

Yet her mind remained with Cassiel.

You lack confidence.

She had never considered herself insecure.

When had it begun?

Perhaps it had started after she lost her father and then her brother.

Once, Hartwell Manor had been respected.

After their deaths, that respect gradually turned into avoidance.

People who had once treated her warmly began keeping their distance. Some pitied her. Others mocked her.

She had been left alone in a household that had once been filled with family.

Or perhaps the roots went deeper.

Her previous life had left wounds she had never truly acknowledged.

During her years in the Crown Prince’s Wing, she had been blamed for one thing after another.

Every misfortune had somehow become her fault.

Every mistake had been laid at her feet.

Over time, perhaps she had begun to believe them.

It had not only been her appearance that had withered beneath those years.

Something inside her had faded as well.

The confidence she once possessed had been worn away piece by piece, leaving behind insecurities she had simply learned to live with.

Regret and sorrow washed over her.

Yet beneath them came something gentler.

Relief.

Fortunately, she had been given another chance.

And fortunately, in this life, Cassiel was by her side.

---

Inside the room, Wulfric approached the chaise where Cassiel was resting.

Bran brought over a stool for him.

Wulfric sat down, spreading his legs comfortably as he studied Cassiel.

"So, I hear you were forced to drink aphrodisiac wine?"

Cassiel raised an eyebrow.

"My wife told you?"

"Indeed."

The answer brought a subtle change to Cassiel’s expression.

There was satisfaction there.

And something unexpectedly tender.

Wulfric stared at him for a moment.

It was almost as though he were seeing Cassiel for the first time.

Then his expression became more serious.

"Are you truly unwell?"

In Wulfric’s memory, Cassiel had always been cold.

Stern.

Reserved.

Even when he was injured, he rarely allowed anyone to see weakness.

Gentleness was certainly not a quality Wulfric associated with him.

Cassiel met his gaze calmly.

"You may not understand, since you don’t have a wife."

Wulfric stared at him.

There was a long silence.

Then, without another word, he rose from the stool.

"Very well."

He straightened his robes.

"Then this unmarried man will take his leave."