Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 247

Chapter 247 Quiet Interrogation

Lydia fell silent, unable to respond. Only then did she realize she had already walked straight into a trap.

Hugh stepped forward and gently took Nina’s thin wrist. The child shrank back in fear, but Hugh steadied her with calm assurance.

Silence filled the room. Only the faint crackle of candlelight could be heard. Every eye fixed on Hugh’s fingers resting against that fragile wrist.

Lydia’s nails dug into her palm. She barely dared to breathe.

After a moment, Hugh released her. His gaze remained steady. “Her pulse shows mild weakness in the stomach, consistent with recovery. However, there is no sign of sudden severe illness. The vomiting was not caused by spoiled food.”

He paused briefly. “It is more likely she caught a chill during the night.”

Another pause. “There are still traces suggesting she was not kept warm. Possibly even exposed to cold water. That would explain her condition.”

Elspeth let out a sharp, satisfied scoff, her expression saying everything.

Alistair said nothing, his face dark.

Lydia’s voice shook. “You… you must have misread it…”

“How could that be?”

Elowen’s tone carried mild surprise. “Doctor Dray was personally invited by His Grace from afar. Even His Majesty has praised his skill. It is unlikely he would be mistaken.”

Lydia bit down hard on her lip, her face pale.

Elowen did not give her time to recover. She turned to Nina, her voice gentle. “Nina, when you sleep at night, doesn’t your mother remind you to stay covered and keep warm?”

The child looked at her, then at Lydia. Her lips trembled. “I did… but the blanket was too short. My feet were cold… and later Mother wiped me down, but… the water was cold.”

Her small voice cut through the room like a blade.

Elspeth let out a long breath, as if a weight had finally lifted.

She shot a sharp look at Alistair, then at Lydia. “For the sake of framing me, you’d go this far with your own child?”

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