Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 Eyes That Begin to Open

Pintalted

‘No trouble at all,” Elowen cut in, smiling, “I brought Bran–and two guards. Both served under His Grace an the battlefield. They’ve carried broadswords heavier than this. A few ledgers will be no problem.”

Marwen’s face went pale. It wasn’t subtle. Elowen was threatening her.

The trouble was, Rose Hall had only a few maids and matrons–none of them a match for soldiers trained

in war.

Swallowing her anger, Marwen forced herself to nod.

Elowen watched as Marwen rose, pulled a small key from beneath her pillow, opened a small wooden hest under the bed, and retrieved a larger key.

Then she walked to the bookcase against the west wall of the adjoining study, unlocked the hidden cabinet mside, and revealed the ledgers and master keys of Duskmoor Manor.

Elowen took the keys herself and had Bran and the guards carry out the ledgers.

They were moved to the estate’s main study, where Elowen promptly began inspecting them.

She hadn’t read more than a few pages before letting out a soft, disbelieving laugh. That woman. She’s so petry. The wages she gave the manor’s maids were disgracefully low. Mira’s monthly pay equals six months‘ wages for the personal maids at Rose Hall.”

She flipped through another. Then another. Her brows drew together in a frown.

There aren’t even that many people living in the manor,” she murmured, rubbing her temples. “Yet somehow Marwen managed to spend a fortune every day on wine and food.”

Which meant only one thing–Marwen had been pocketing the money. And pocketing a lot of it.

But how?

Cora, setting aside the ink block, chimed in. “Your Grace may not know, but the supplier who sells vegetables to the manor is one of her cousins, And the wine? From a tavern she owns–just hidden behind

I steward!”

Elowen’s eyes narrowed. So nearly all the funds were being funneled back to Marwen.

Cora continued, “Since His Grace fell ill and handed her the keys, things have only gotten worse. The food’s been terrible, Rotten meat. Mushy greens. Watered–down wine.”

That part, Elowen had noticed. Since the wedding, the food had felt increasingly hard to swallow.

She’d thought the cooks were simply unskilled. Now she knew the truth lay in the ingredients,

“We’ll need new suppliers,” she said, already planning. “No use sticking with thieves.”

She also needed to select a birthday gift for Maerwyn. She had the perfect idea Calling for a carriage, Flowen lef Mira behind to continue learning from Edith and took Cora along, with the usual pair of

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hapter 4 Eves That Begin to Open

wards

heir destination was Cloudmere Lane, the most bustling market street in all of Vanelle. The district oasted clothiers and jewelers finer than anything even the palace could offer.

n her past life, Elowen had spent days searching before finally choosing a pair of Greenstone Bangles- ranslucent, smooth, and rare.

et when she had presented them, in full view of Alaric and a hall full of courtiers, Maerwyn had iretended to sneer. She called them hideous. Claimed Elowen had no taste.

lowen had nearly lost face. But months later, she’d overheard a palace maid gossiping–Maerwyn had ept the bangles and wore them often.

he had liked them. She just wanted to humiliate Elowen. The princess had never liked her. Elowen didn’t now why,

All she knew was that the scorn and ridicule from Maerwyn had caused her pain, shame, and bitterness for

hears

n this life, she wasn’t marrying Alaric–but she still had to prepare a gift, not for the princess herself, but or her title. She was the King’s daughter and Cassian’s niece.

Jowen’s gift was not meant to earn the princess’s approval. It was to please the King and give honor to Cassian and all of Duskmoor Manor.

she would still gift the same bangles. Following her memory, she arrived early at the shop on Cloudmere

ane. The bangles were still being carved,

These, Elowen said, pointing to the half–finished pair. She didn’t wait for the final polish before paying in ull.

The shopkeeper beamed. “A fine eye. My lady. You’ll not find better.”

I’ll be next door,” Elowen replied. “Have them boxed properly for me when they’re done.”

Of course!

The shop next door was a small tavern. Most places in Vanelle had long switched to hiring musicians and lancers to lure patrons, copying the style of the city’s more notorious pleasure halls. But this one still dung to old–fashioned oral storytelling, drawing crowds with spoken tales rather than spectacle.

Which meant it rarely had business. Elowen came often. This place belonged to her aunt Isobel.

Hale Manor’s first great loss had been her uncle, He had been twenty–seven.

Her aunt, pregnam at the time, had miscarried when she heard the news. Her father had vowed to suippon isobel for the rest of her life.

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2:11 pm

Awaken