Melissa felt as though she had been thrown directly into an icy lake.
Her entire body turned cold.
Even unconscious, Duke Cassiel remained the King’s full-blooded younger brother.
His status within Aveanlor stood untouchable.
An attempt on his life was no small offense.
It was a crime punishable by death.
For a brief moment, despair nearly swallowed Melissa whole.
Elysia quietly observed every shift in her expression.
Then after a short pause, she continued calmly:
"Fortunately, Lucien failed to harm His Grace."
"Considering the Asheford family’s past loyalty to the Duke..."
"And because this was his first offense..."
Elysia lowered her eyes slightly.
"His Grace ultimately chose to show mercy."
Melissa’s breathing finally eased slightly.
But before relief could settle fully—
Elysia continued:
"However..."
"From this day forward, Lucien Asheford is forbidden from entering the Duke’s courtyard."
"Not even a single step."
Melissa nodded stiffly.
Then suddenly, something occurred to her.
Her expression shifted abruptly.
"Wait."
She stared at Elysia suspiciously.
"You said His Grace spared Lucien personally... But isn’t His Grace still unconscious?"
Elysia answered evenly:
"His Grace regained consciousness briefly last night. Physician Halbrecht was summoned to Draevenor Manor overnight."
Her gaze lifted calmly.
"Were you not informed?"
Melissa froze completely.
Only now did she remember the strange commotion from last night.
Halbrecht’s sudden arrival. The hurried movement within the manor.
At the time, she thought it odd. Now she finally understood.
Cassiel truly awakened. Even if only briefly.
The realization sent another chill down her spine.
Then Elysia spoke again.
"Aunt Melissa."
Her voice remained composed and steady.
"Since you have now surrendered the access sigil... From this moment onward, no one may enter the Duke’s courtyard without my permission. This matter ends here."
Melissa no longer dared object.
At the thought of Cassiel awakening—
Even momentarily—
It felt as though her soul itself left her body.
Silently, she handed over the sigil token.
Elysia accepted it calmly and closed her fingers around it.
Only then did she quietly release a breath.
With this—
No one would trespass into the courtyard again.
Without saying another word, Elysia turned and departed.
The moment the doors closed behind her, Melissa collapsed weakly against the couch.
Her body felt drained completely of strength.
When she raised a trembling hand toward her forehead, she discovered it covered in cold sweat.
Seventeen years old.
Only seventeen.
Yet somehow, while facing Elysia just now, Melissa felt as though she stood before Cassiel himself.
A maid hurried forward nervously with a warm cup in hand.
"My lady..."
"Please drink something warm and calm yourself."
Melissa accepted the cup silently.
After several mouthfuls, warmth slowly spread through her chest.
At the same time, her thoughts gradually steadied again.
Then her face darkened.
Today, Elysia seized the access sigil.
Tomorrow—
Would she come for the household authority next?
If she lost control over Draevenor Manor, then everything she and her children currently enjoyed would disappear completely.
No.
Absolutely not.
She could not simply sit and wait for that to happen.
Meanwhile, after handling Lucien and Melissa’s matters, Elysia returned directly to the courtyard.
The remainder of the day passed with her reviewing account books continuously.
Only by nightfall did she finally finish.
Miriam entered quietly carrying fresh tea.
"Your Grace."
She frowned slightly upon seeing the stacks of ledgers.
"You shouldn’t strain your eyes like this every day."
"You’ll make yourself ill."
Elysia gently stretched her stiff shoulders.
"It won’t happen often."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I’m finally finished."
Miriam blinked curiously.
"How are the accounts?"
Elysia lowered her gaze toward the ledgers.
"There are many issues. The manor earns a great deal every month... But its expenses are even greater."
Her fingers brushed lightly across the pages.
"At this rate, we’re spending more than we’re bringing in. And the reserves continue shrinking steadily."
Miriam looked surprised immediately.
"That sounds exactly like Hartwell Manor."
Elysia sighed softly.
"Yes. Aveanlor has never truly known peace. Where there is war, there are always casualties."
Some soldiers returned disabled.
Some never returned at all.
The pensions issued by the court rarely reached those who truly needed them.
So for many years, Hartwell Manor quietly supplemented the missing money themselves.
And now—
It appeared Draevenor Manor had been doing the same thing all along.
Miriam lowered her voice carefully.
"If this continues... How long can the reserves even last?"
Then after brief hesitation, she asked softly:
"Your Grace... surely you don’t intend to use your dowry?"
Elysia merely smiled faintly without answering.
Meanwhile, lying silently on the bed nearby, Cassiel heard every single word clearly.
Confusion rose slowly within him.
That should not be possible.
The Duke of Draevenor possessed enormous wealth.
Enough for the manor to prosper comfortably for generations.
So when exactly did things become this strained?
At that moment, Miriam suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, that’s right."
She turned toward Elysia.
"Tomorrow is your return visit to Hartwell Manor."
Elysia paused slightly.
According to custom, newly married daughters returned to visit their birth family several days after the wedding.
Normally, the husband accompanied them personally.
Miriam sighed softly.
"It’s unfortunate. With His Grace still unconscious, he can’t accompany you."
Unexpectedly, Elysia smiled gently instead.
"That’s for the best."
Cassiel’s thoughts halted abruptly.
For the best?
Would she still think that way if she married Vaelen instead?
Because it was him—
Because her husband was an unconscious invalid—
Did she feel relieved not to return together?
For some reason, the thought irritated him deeply.
Then Elysia spoke again quietly.
"Think about it. My father, brothers, and uncles are all gone. My mother passed away long ago as well."
Her voice remained calm.
"But traditionally, when a bride returns home, the husband greets her parents and elders."
A faint smile appeared at her lips.
"If I return now... There will only be an empty manor waiting for me. And the ancestral shrine."
Cassiel suddenly stiffened.
Miriam’s expression softened immediately.
"Your Grace..."
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Elysia abruptly changed the subject.
She smiled lightly instead.
"Miriam, would you like some Honey-Almond Tea Cakes?"
Miriam blinked in surprise.
Then her eyes brightened instantly.
"Your Grace..."
Her tone turned hopeful immediately.
"Are you going to make them yourself?"