Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187 Lonely Ride

Theodric looked disappointed. “If that’s the case, then I’m riding out by myself. That sounds painfully dull.”

Maerwyn, standing off to the side, immediately raised her hand. She wanted to say, “Father. I’m here”

Before she could speak, Elspeth considered it and said. “Your Majesty could ask the Crown Prince to ride with you.”

Theodric shook his head. “Alaric said he’s staying behind with Daphne. He won’t be going either.”

He sighed heavily. “What does it mean to stand alone? This is what it means.”

As if remembering something, he suddenly said, “Right.”

Maerwyn’s face lit up. Father, you finally think of me.

Theodric went on with emotion, “If Cassian were here, he wouldn’t hesitate. He’d ride with me.”

Maerwyn froze. The light drained from her face, her whole expression dimming.

Elspeth let out a faint scoff. “Cassian is still in a wheelchair. How is he supposed to hunt with you? Besides, he’s married now. Naturally, everything comes after his duchess.”

Theodric looked at her, then at Elowen beside her.

Truthfully, if Cassian were present, he likely would stay behind with his duchess.

Theodric sighed again, repeating under his breath that he stood alone, yet he was surrounded by a large group of royal relatives and high–ranking ministers, all enthusiastically escorting him as he grandly set off for the hunt.

Maerwyn wiped her tears and stubbornly followed behind.

They would be gone for several hours.

Inside the hall, only a scattered few people remained, not many, not few.

Elowen’s gaze drifted toward Alaric and Daphne not far away. As memories of what happened during the latter half of the Autumn Hunt in her previous life surfaced, her thoughts grew tangled and heavy. She unconsciously tightened her fingers.

“Ella, what is it?”

Elspeth noticed her change. “Something on your mind?”

Elowen returned to herself and turned toward Elspeth. She gave a light shake of her head and smiled. “I’m

fine.”

Elspeth studied her expression. “No one can fool me.”

Elowen’s eyes flickered. Elspeth narrowed her gaze. “Ella, you…”

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11:12 Fri, May 8

Chapter 187 Lonely Ride

Elowen felt a sudden nervousness. Elspeth curled her lips into a smile. “You miss Cassian, don’t you?”

Elowen paused, then gave two dry laughs. “I… yes.”

Elspeth beamed. “Don’t worry. When he returns, I’ll definitely tell him you missed him so much you were distracted.”

Elowen fell silent.

She did miss Cassian sometimes. But distracted to that extent seemed exaggerated.

She neither admitted nor denied it. At moments like this, she simply needed to smile sweetly, as she had done since childhood.

“My lady.”

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A young attendant hurried in from outside and bent close to Elspeth, whispering two sentences into her ear. The voice was not especially low. Elowen caught a few words, something about the Marquess of Havenstead and Lydia.

After listening, Elspeth’s brows pressed down, anger rising in her eyes. She muttered, “That idiot.”

Elowen was weighing whether to ask what had happened when Elspeth turned to her. “Ella, something’s come up at home. I need to go back and handle it myself.”

Elowen blinked.

Elspeth stood and warned Alaric, “While I’m gone, if anyone dares bully Ella, and I find out afterward, I won’t let it go.”

She added word by word, “That includes you.”

Alaric looked helpless. “Aunt, I wouldn’t. She’s my aunt by marriage. Why would I bully her for no reason?”

“You’d better not.”

Elspeth still looked unconvinced. She turned back to Elowen. “Stay well. I’ll come back as soon as I’m done.”

Elowen nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be fine.”

She had kept Elspeth close only to prevent her from being injured. She could not keep her by force just to have someone on her side.

After Elspeth left, the hall became quiet. Elowen slowly sipped her wine, recalling her previous life.

Daphne had “tamed” Ember and enjoyed everyone’s praise and admiration.

Besides hunting, there had been a polo match at the grounds. The so–called grand prize had been her Ferghana horse, Ember.

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