Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 225

Chapter 225 A Public Scandal

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Finished

Another voice rang out right after, sharp with disbelief. “Your Highness… why are you holding him like that?”

Yvonne pushed through the crowd without hesitation and rushed forward.

What she saw with her own eyes, inside that elegant lakeside pavilion, nearly made her collapse.

Alaric had Piers pulled in against him, the hold not entirely willing.

The world spun. Blood rushed to her head. She staggered, almost fainting on the spot, and the maid behind her caught her just in time.

“You… you two… what is this…”

She couldn’t even form a full sentence. One hand clutched at her chest as her breathing turned uneven, her face drained of color.

Elowen stepped forward and gently steadied Yvonne by the shoulders. “Your Grace, there has to be some misunderstanding.”

As she spoke, her gaze flicked across the pavilion, subtle and controlled, meeting Alaric’s eyes for the briefest moment.

The second Alaric saw her, his pupils blew wide. He wasn’t stupid.

At this point, it was obvious. This whole thing had been set up. Someone had lured him here with a message, supposedly from Elowen.

No, that can’t be right. Elowen is soft–hearted, she always looks at him like he matters more than anything. She would never scheme like this. Then it has to be Cassian, it has to be him forcing her, or using her.

Alaric clenched his jaw, humiliation twisting with anger in his chest.

“If it’s just a misunderstanding, that would be nice,” Aveline cut in, her tone light but edged. “Let’s hope this isn’t something… more unconventional.”

A few days ago during the autumn hunt, Alaric had caused a scene. Kaelan got caught up in it, frightened badly enough to run a fever for days.

Aveline only had one son. She had been holding that anger in ever since.”

Now she didn’t bother hiding it.

The moment those words landed, the way everyone looked at Alaric changed.

Alaric’s face went rigid, color draining as he forced the words out. “I don’t have any… twisted inclinations. This is a misunderstanding.”

“What Your Highness says must be true…”

Yvonne took a slow breath and spoke again.

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Chapter 225 A Public Scandal

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Finished

No matter what, she was still the lady of this household. She forced her emotions down and managed a tight smile. “It’s nothing more than a misunderstanding. There’s no need to dwell on it. Coffee and refreshments have already been prepared. Please, everyone, take a seat.”

The guests followed her lead and moved into the pavilion one by one.

Alaric had just humiliated himself in front of everyone. Normally, he would have walked out without a second thought.

But when he looked at Elowen, he hesitated. It had been so long since she’d seen him. She had to have missed him.

He straightened his posture and walked in anyway.

With him present, and after what had just happened, the atmosphere turned painfully strained.

Every conversation felt cautious, loaded with things left unsaid.

The coffee and pastries were set out, but no one actually touched them.

Yvonne caught on to the shift. She took a sip of tea, then said, “Your Highness, I heard the young lady from

one behind the name Azure?”

the Garrett family is..

Alaric’s attention was still fixed on Elowen. He answered without thinking. “It’s her.”

That was enough.

The room stirred.

Just like that, no one cared about the earlier scene anymore. The whispers shifted to Azure.

Even Aveline lifted her

gaze slightly.

Truth be told, she found Alaric’s behavior disgraceful.

But Azure…

That was someone she couldn’t help but admire.

The two feelings tangled together, until all that came out was a quiet, restrained sigh. “What a fortunate

man…”

She meant Alaric.

Elowen sat quietly the entire time, sipping coffee, nibbling on pastries, watching everything unfold like it was a performance.

When she judged the moment right, she set her cup down and stood. “Your Grace, it’s getting late. Cassian should be returning soon, and I promised I wouldn’t be out long. I’ll take my leave.”

Sylvia stood as well and gave a proper bow.

Yvonne nodded. Piers immediately rose. “Mother, I’ll walk them out.”

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