Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 333

Chapter 333 Rumors Take Root

Daphne was silent for a moment, still annoyed, but she saw the sense in it. At last she waved a dismissive hand. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

The banquet ended late into the night.

Bran pushed Cassian’s wheelchair along the path out of the palace. After holding his tongue all evening, he finally muttered, “Your Grace, Prince Roderic is really something. Always poking at your old injury. It’s cruel. Good thing their fourth prince knew how to smooth things over, or tonight could’ve ended a lot worse.”

Walking beside Cassian, Elowen lifted her eyes, her profile soft in the moonlight. “But isn’t that a little strange?”

Cassian looked at her with interest. “What do you mean, Ella?”

She thought it through aloud. “Roderic started by insulting the crown prince, then turned on you and said even worse things. If the fourth prince was really that thoughtful, shouldn’t he have stopped him sooner? Why wait until after you answered back?”

Cassian gave her an approving look. “I think you’re exactly right. He was waiting for the right

moment.”

Bran froze.

He had been so busy fuming that he hadn’t thought that far ahead. Now that Elowen had pointed it out, he replayed the exchange in his mind. A thin sheen of cold sweat broke out along his back.

“You mean…” he said slowly, turning to her. “They planned it together?”

Cassian’s lips curved slightly. He shot Elowen an approving look before replying in an easy, almost lazy tone.

“Nothing more than the oldest trick in diplomacy. One plays the villain, the other the gentleman.”

Bran blinked. “People really do that?”

“They do,” Cassian said calmly. “Nordia wants relations with Avenlor. But they can’t come begging for it. If they lower themselves too much, they’ll look weak, like a realm ready to bend the knee.”

He paused a moment, his voice steady and unhurried.

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Chunter 333 Ruener: Tore Rent

“On the other hand, if they swagger in acting untouchable, they risk ruining the talks entirely.”

Bran listened, his brow slowly tightening.

“So someone in the delegation has to play the brute,” Cassian continued. “The one who’s loud, difficult, impossible to push around. That shows they’re not to be taken lightly. And someone else plays the reasonable one. The voice of compromise. That’s how they signal they’re genuinely open to building ties.”

His gaze lowered slightly, thoughtful.

“Together, they test how far we’ll bend. Push for better terms. All while keeping up the appearance that they’re strong, but still willing to talk.”

Cassian lifted his eyes.

Bran shook his head. “I thought Nordians were supposed to be blunt and straightforward. Guess not.”

Cassian smirked. “There are crafty Nordians and honest Avenlorians. A person’s character has nothing to do with where they’re from, Bran. Haven’t you learned that yet?”

Then he added, “The Nordian envoys will be staying in Vanelle for a while. They’ll want to figure out who really holds power before they make any offers. If all goes well, at least the next few days should be quiet.”

And for the next few days, Vanelle was quiet.

At times, Elowen almost forgot the Nordian envoys were still in the city. She took each day as it came and focused on keeping herself–and the baby–healthy.

The end of the year drew closer, and the weather turned colder by the day.

But Cassian was always warm, especially when they lay together in bed. Sometimes Elowen grew hot enough in his arms to break into a sweat.

One morning near the end of the month, she was still deeply asleep when peals of laughter drifted into the room.

She had always loved sleeping late–especially now, with the weather so cold and the blankets so warm. Still half dreaming, she snuggled closer to Cassian and mumbled, “What’s going on out there…?”

Whoever it was sounded delighted.

A sudden thought popped into her head.

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