Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 282

She clenched her fingers in her sleeve, voice tightening. “I… I don’t like you, but…”

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She forced her eyes red, dropping her voice. “I’m not doing well in the Crown Prince’s Wing. On my wedding day I was exposed. I lost everything. Alaric doesn’t like me. Her Majesty treats me coldly. I…”

She seemed to choke on tears, then looked up at Elowen. “I know I was stupid. I did a lot of wrong things. I was jealous of you. But after I married in, it’s been worse than I can stand. Only now do I understand, you really treated me like a friend. You really were good to me. And I want to do something for you. Ella, please. We’re both women. Forgive what I did.”

Elowen’s expression stayed cool. “You want to make it up to me?”

Daphne nodded hard, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, still wearing that familiar helpless look.

Elowen tugged one corner of her mouth. “That’s not enough.”

Her voice was too low. Daphne didn’t catch it. “What did you say?”

Elowen smiled faintly. “Nothing.”

Daphne tried again. “So…”

“I heard you,” Elowen said evenly. “I understand.”

She didn’t say she believed it. She didn’t say she didn’t.

Daphne’s nerves stretched tight. She wanted to push more.

But Elowen cut her off first. “I’m going in. I’m hungry.”

And without waiting for Daphne to respond, Elowen walked toward the private room.

Behind her, Daphne stared at her back and bit down in anger.

As Elowen neared the door, she could hear Cassian and Alaric talking, about the Laurent

matter.

A servant outside bowed at once. “Duchess.”

Inside, the voices stopped.

The servant opened the door. Elowen went in.

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Alaric stood immediately. “Aunt.”

His eyes stuck to Elowen, almost hungry.

Cassian, seated at the head, frowned.

Alaric hesitated, then continued. “Please sit. Today’s dishes are all the latest popular things in Vanelle. Aunt, you’ll like them.”

Cassian spoke coolly. “So you only care whether she likes them, not whether I do?”

Alaric blinked, then forced a smile. “You and Aunt are one. If she likes them, I’m sure you will

too.”

Cassian didn’t answer.

He gestured to the empty seat beside him, indicating Elowen should sit there.

Elowen walked past the seat Alaric had in mind and sat directly beside Cassian.

Alaric’s posture stiffened for a fraction, then he managed a smile. “Fine. I’ll have them bring the food.”

Elowen glanced at him. “Not waiting for the crown princess?”

Alaric said carelessly, “No. She doesn’t matter.”

Right after he spoke, the servant outside announced, “Crown Princess.”

Elowen looked up and met Daphne’s deathly pale face in the doorway.

She’d heard Alaric’s words.

She bit her lip in humiliation and stepped inside, keeping her head down.

At the table, the mood turned strange.

Alaric gestured toward the platter of fish on the table. “Aunt, if I remember correctly this has always been your favorite. I had the kitchen prepare it especially for you. You should try some.”

And he put it into Elowen’s bowl.

Elowen wasn’t ready for it and didn’t dodge in time.

She turned her head.

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Cassian’s face held no expression at all. His eyes were dark, cold.

Cassian didn’t react yet.

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When Alaric reached to serve her a second time, Cassian finally snapped. He set his fork down with a sharp sound.

Alaric’s hand froze midair. “Uncle?”

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