The Duke's Reluctant Bride

Chapter 57: This Changes Nothing

Diana's expression shifted to confusion as her gaze settled on the three knights. One hand curled into a fist at her side, a restrained demand for an explanation.

"You three," she said, her voice calm but edged with authority. "What exactly is the purpose of your presence here? You cannot simply escort me out. Did my father really send you?"

The knights nodded, their posture composed as their gazes lowered in deference.

"We apologize, my lady," one of them said. "These are indeed your father's orders. We are ordered to escort you back to his estate."

Diana's brows drew together. "Then... what of the formal meeting I was meant to have with His Grace?" she asked. "It was arranged by my father himself."

Lucien turned toward her, his voice low and even.

"I visited your father's estate before coming here," he said calmly. "The matter has already been settled, and he has requested your return as soon as possible." His gaze flicked briefly to the faint stain on her gown. "I will instruct my attendant to compensate you for the damage. If there is nothing further, I would like you to leave my estate."

Silence followed.

Diana's fingers tightened, her composure held together by restraint alone.

"Isn't that rather rude of you, Your Grace?" she said coolly. "I was acting on my father's behalf, yet you went behind me and addressed him directly."

Her sharp, calculating gaze shifted, landing on Adeline.

"Does this mean you were aware of what was happening here all along?" she continued. "Do you even know who the duchess truly is? And yet you still chose to defend her." Her lips pressed into a thin line. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I know," Lucien replied.

The words cut cleanly through the air.

Adeline stiffened beside him, her breath catching as she turned to look at him in disbelief.

"I know that my wife is not the real Adeline."

Diana's composure cracked.

"You knew from the start?" she demanded. "H... how did you—"

"Our marriage was officiated by the Emperor himself," Lucien interrupted, his tone unchanged. "Did you truly believe he would be unaware of every noble in Veridonia, or of House Wycliffe's past circumstances?"

Diana's brow furrowed, her hand clenching tighter at her side.

"Then you must have known what needed to be done," she said, her voice rising despite herself. "That woman is not entirely mortal. You know that."

Lucien took a single step forward, just enough to close the distance.

"You will not decide what I need to do to her," he said coldly. "And more importantly—" his gaze sharpened as it fixed on Diana with quiet intensity, "how did you know who she was without ever meeting her before?"

The color drained from Diana's face, realization striking like a nail driven cleanly into place.

Lucien's voice hardened as he continued.

"How do you explain that?"

Diana fell silent.

Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. The truth hung heavily between them, pressing the air from her lungs. For the first time, she had nothing to counter him with.

Lucien's gaze did not soften.

"You know very well that I could have you imprisoned the moment I learned of this," he said evenly. "But your father begged otherwise. He insisted that you be brought back to his estate, sparing you from facing the consequences of your actions."