Chapter 9
After attending this feast, I would return to Verdantia with Lysette. Before that, I sent someone to investigate Rosamund.
The youngest daughter of Lord Pembroke, she had been sent to the southern estates for her health and returned only at sixteen. Smitten with Cedric, she abandoned her love of vivid silks and lute–playing to mimic me -wearing pale gowns, studying art.
Everyone said she was deeply infatuated with Cedric.
བ ཇ བལ་ བ ཆ ཛ ཆ ༔
To marry him, she even humbled herself and flattered his children.
A noble and beautiful young woman did all this for him, and naturally, he was pleased.
But Cedric… was he really worth it?
Thinking of this, I lowered my gaze and gave orders. “Send my letter to Blackthorn Keep. Ensure it’s delivered to Cedric in person.”
I had many secrets about Cedric.
Within a day, Cedric removed Lysette fro
the
family registry.
He sent a reply, but I didn’t open it. I held the letter
wer the candle and burned it.
When the paper had turned to ash, a servant came to report. “The Duke has returned.”
Reynard didn’t like being called “Your Grace” by people from Beaufort Keep, preferring that they address him as “Lord.”
He sat beside me, gently lifting my hair and tucking it behind my ear.
“While I was away, Cedric troubled you, didn’t he?”
I nodded.
“He spoke disrespectfully to me. I also used my abacus to hit him.‘
I mimed the motion with my hand, then added:
“A six–pound rosewood abacus.”
Reynard laughed.
“He disrespects the Duchess? You had every right to punish him.”
I said, “He’s a close advisor to the King and is highly regarded. I didn’t want to make things difficult for you.‘
Royal families don’t always have such deep brotherly bonds.
Though Reynard was the King’s brother, he had always been favored, and his fief was vast and prosperous. Punishing Cedric might make others suspicious.
Reynard’s bright eyes curved.
“You’ve always been thoughtful. But Cedric is a little arrogant due to his past achievements. He’s been handling things inappropriately, and my elder brother has already intended to discipline him. You don’t need to worry.”
He leaned in to kiss me, his hand resting
I pushed him back gently “Lysette is next door.”
The royal banquet was held the following evening.
The King had summoned his nobles and their families. Lysette, who now bore my surname, accompanied me, I dressed her myself–selected her gown, arranged her hair, pinned an exquisite dragonfly hairpiece into her coiled tresses.
She stared at her reflection in the glass, eyes reddening again.
Five years ago, on the day we were separated, I had also been the one to braid her hair.
I bent to press a floral decal to her forehead. “There. Mother won’t leave you again. Don’t cry.”
Her lips curved faintly. “Mm.”
Reynard, Lysette, and I rode together in the ducal carriage. When it halted at the palace gates, be stepped out first and offered me his hand. I gathered my skirts with one hand, steadied myself with the other, and descended. Once I was firmly on the ground, I lifted Lysette down after me.
Chapter 9
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As I straightened, I caught Cedric staring.
His brow was furrowed, pupils trembling–his gaze sharp with shock and resentment.
Reynard’s hand tightened around mine as he leveled a cold look at him. “Lord Cedric.”
Only then did Cedric bow deeply, murmuring, “Your Grace. My Lady. Forgive my discourtesy.”
The veins on the back of his hands stood stark.
Rosamund stood behind him, mirroring his gesture. She kept her head lowered–I couldn’t see her face.
Reynard didn’t acknowledge him.
Left in that half–bowed stance, Cedric had no choice but to hold still.
Understanding Reynard’s intent, I waited a beat before saying indifferently, “Rise.”
When Cedric lifted his head, his eyes flicked past me–waiting for Lysette to greet him.
But Lysette turned away.
He had neglected her for years, leaving her to grow up in Silvermere Keep. Now that her name had been struck from his family records, she owed him nothing.
Cedric’s frown deepened, but before he could speak, Reynard bent to murmur to Lysette, “Her Majesty the Queen and the Dowager Duchess wish to see you later. Don’t be nervous–they’re kind.”
Lysette smiled up at him. “Alright.”
I took her hand; Reynard took mine. We walked the long palace path, leaving the others behind.
Reynard’s voice was light. “A pity we met him at the gates. A formal audience would have required him to kneel before you.”
He wanted me to have my satisfaction.
I pressed his fingers, hiding a smile.
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