Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 The Year She Was Seventeen Again “If there is someone you care for, say it. I want to hear it from you.” The King’s voice echoed from the raised dais, measured and steady, carrying both authority and a rare gentleness. Each word was deliberate, sincere. Elowen Hale stood frozen. In that instant, she understood-she had returned. She had been reborn, back to the year she turned seventeen. Today was the palace banquet, ostensibly a family gathering. In truth, the King had summoned her for one purpose alone. With his own mouth, he intended to decide her marriage.

Elowen parted her lips, but the words caught in her throat. A surge of tangled emotions tightened her chest, her vision blurring with heat. “You need not be afraid.” When she failed to answer, the King’s voice softened further. “The Hale family has served the crown for generations. Your father, your brothers, your uncles-they all fell for Avenlor on the battlefield. Now, only you remain. I will personally see to your marriage. No matter whom you wish to wed, I will make it so.” Even after living two lifetimes, the memory of Hale Manor still made Elowen’s heart ache.

Avenlor had stood for less than a century. Its foundation was shallow, its enemies numerous, its future fragile. Last year, the horsemen of the Northern Reaches had shattered the border defenses. The Hale family had been ordered north to defend the realm. On the day they departed, her father, uncles, and elder brothers had been full of spirit, laughing and teasing her until she found them unbearable. When they returned, they came in coffins. Their bodies were wrapped in torn, blood-soaked cloaks. Silent. Still.

Her aunts and sisters-in-law scattered-some returned to their birth families, others remarried. Her mother, crushed by grief, fell ill and died at the start of the year. The once-lively Hale Manor was left with only Elowen. The King had named this banquet a “family gathering,” but everyone knew the truth. He meant to marry her off. It was his way of honoring the fallen Hales. A light laugh broke the solemn air. “Why even ask, Father?” a girl said teasingly. “Everyone knows Elowen is hopelessly in love with Alaric.

She’s never exactly been subtle.” It’s Princess Maerwyn Valebourne-the King’s favored daughter. In her previous life, Maerwyn had said the exact same words. Back then, Elowen had flushed crimson and lowered her head in shy embarrassment at the mention of Alaric Valebourne, the Crown Prince. The King had laughed heartily and waved his hand. “Then it’s settled. We’ll choose an auspicious day, and you and Alaric shall be married.” She had poured herself into that wedding. Every detail. Every preparation. She told herself that effort mattered-that if she tried hard enough, he might notice her.

Might care. But-on their wedding night, Alaric shut her out. He refused to touch her. Refused to let her near the bed. By morning, Elowen was still there, curled on the cold stone floor, fully dressed, staring into the dark. There was no intimacy. No heir. The King and Empress, once full of pity, gradually turned disappointed. The entire Crown Prince’s Wing adjusted accordingly. Without favor, without a child, Elowen became invisible. Servants no longer bothered to hide their disdain. She endured it all in silence. Until one day, she overheard a conversation.

Alaric was speaking with one of his close companions-about her. Only then did she realize that everything she had suffered, he had known. He simply hadn’t cared. Or worse-he had allowed it. His voice had been cold, sharp with contempt. “She forced me to marry her,” he said, “and now she’s getting what she deserves.” His companion hesitated. “But Elowen is beautiful. She genuinely cares for you. Do you really feel nothing for her?” Alaric didn’t pause. “She disgusts me.” The world went cold. I forced you to marry me, did I? Is that really what you think? It had been your father’s decision.

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