Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197 Shattered Reins

Theodric had said Cassian was not there. Elowen’s knee had not fully healed. Naturally, she would not be attending the hunt.

But a restless unease had been surging in Cassian’s chest. He was afraid she would be mistreated. Especially by Alaric.

“Your Majesty, ride faster,” Cassian had urged.

Back at the hunting grounds, a stable hand led Ember toward the wooden frame nearby. Ember walked obediently, offering no resistance, only glancing from time to time in Elowen’s direction.

Seeing her down on the ground, Ember looked confused.

Another servant, following Alaric’s instructions, selected a sharp blade.

Daphne put on a delicate, concerned tone. “Your Grace, it’s only a horse. If you like one, you can choose another from the stables. Since this was His Highness’s decision, there must be a reason behind it.”

“Be quiet.” Alaric barked suddenly.

Daphne froze, stunned and wronged. Why is he snapping at me?

But she did not dare anger him further and reluctantly fell silent. That split second of distraction was enough.

Elowen seized it. She shot to her feet.

Alaric was still crouched in front of her. She lunged forward, shoved both hands against his shoulders, and forced him flat onto the ground.

She straddled his chest and clamped her fingers around his throat. “Let Ember go.”

Alaric was startled for a moment, then laughed. “Elowen, you really are the same as when you were a kid. You throw hands the second you’re upset.”

“Stop talking.” Her eyes were bloodshot. Her grip tightened. “Let her go. Or I will…”

The threat died in her throat.

“Or you’ll what?” Alaric finished lazily. “Strangle me? Over a horse? You’d kill the heir of the realm?”

Her heart pounded wildly. Her hands trembled.

If she had nothing tying her down, if she stood alone in the world, maybe she would have done it.

At worst, she would die. And after death, perhaps she would see her father again. Her brother. Her mother.

But Cassian would be implicated.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, large and uncontrollable.

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11:14 Fri, May 8

Chapter 197 Shattered Reins

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Alaric lay beneath her, watching. There was a twisted fascination in his gaze, a satisfaction even he could not quite explain.

Elowen did not release him. She inhaled deeply, then turned toward Ember and shouted with every ounce of strength she had, “Ember! Run! Go as far as you can!”

Her voice rang bright and clear across the entire field.

Everyone heard it. Ember heard it too. The mare tossed its head and reared sharply.

The servant holding the reins had felt no resistance before, but suddenly a violent force wrenched against his grip. The rough leather tore through his palms, burning the skin raw. He shouted in pain and instinctively released it.

Ember’s hooves struck the ground hard, its muscles surging with raw power. The servant staggered backward, fear flashing across his face.

Through her tears, Elowen saw what was happening and felt the faintest flicker of relief.

Then Ember turned its head back toward her.

It was worried.

Elowen forced a pale smile. “I’m fine. You just—”

Before she could finish, a scream tore through the air, the unmistakable scream of a horse. Elowen’s eyes widened.

She had relaxed too soon. In the chaos, she had failed to notice another servant moving closer.

Taking advantage of the confusion, he lifted the slaughter blade and drove it straight into the most vulnerable part of Ember’s neck.

Gasps and shrieks erupted from the crowd. Some of the more timid onlookers screamed outright.

Elowen was still sitting atop Alaric, completely frozen. The servant paused only a heartbeat before wrenching the blade free.

Blood surged out in a violent spray, drenching him from head to toe in bright red.

His hair, his face, all streaked with steaming blood, he turned toward Alaric, voice shaking with excitement. “Your Highness! It’s done!”

“See that, Aunt?”

Alaric remained sprawled on the ground, grinning smugly at Elowen. “That’s authority.”

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