Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 454

"Your Majesty!"

Hilda could not remain silent any longer. She stepped forward despite herself. "Her Majesty has been wronged."

Theodric frowned, clearly displeased. "And what is it you think you're adding to this?"

Isla turned slightly, her voice low but firm. "Hilda, that's enough."

But Hilda's expression tightened with resolve. "I've served you for decades. I won't stand by and watch you take the blame for something you didn't do."

Before Isla could stop her, Hilda lifted her gaze to the king.

"Your Majesty, if Her Majesty truly ordered harm against the Duchess and her unborn child, if Alyssa truly brought her tainted drink, then that would mean Her Majesty acted without a shred of sense. Alyssa was still at Duskmoor Manor. If anything happened, suspicion would point straight back to the royal residence. Anyone could see that. It would lead directly to Her Majesty."

Theodric's expression shifted, his brow drawing tighter as he considered her words.

"Whether that drink was ever tampered with, whether the Duchess truly collapsed because of it, only those at Duskmoor Manor would know. Only the Duchess herself would know. Perhaps that physician does as well, but he serves the Duke and Duchess. There is no reason to assume he would speak against them," Hilda continued, her voice thick with restrained emotion. "I beg you to look deeper into this."

Theodric's silence stretched.

Seeing that, Isla allowed herself the smallest breath of relief.

On their way back, she and Hilda had carefully gone through everything, piece by piece.

No scheme was ever flawless.

Elowen's move had been clever, but it was not beyond question.

There were too many details that did not hold up under scrutiny, and that gave them their chance.

"...Why would Elowen do such a thing?" Theodric said at last, his tone lower now.

Hilda stepped forward. "Have you forgotten, Your Majesty? The Duchess was once close to the Crown Prince, yet the match was never allowed. Later, Her Majesty arranged for Daphne to enter the Crown Prince's Wing. And during last autumn's hunt, His Highness killed the Duchess's prized horse right in front of her. She collapsed from the shock, and His Grace struck the Crown Prince before your very eyes. The Duchess has every reason to resent both His Highness and Her Majesty."

Theodric fell into thought.

As long as Alyssa is in my hands, the truth will come out. I can clear my name.

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