Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 344

Chapter 344 Her Grandfather’s Shadow

Cassian paused and leaned over her. “Thinking about your grandfather?”

Elowen nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’s the only family I have left.”

Cassian raised a brow. “Only family?”

She glanced at him, then corrected herself. “Other than you.”

He rested a hand on her belly. “And our child?”

She caught herself, and the faintest smile touched her lips. “And our child.”

As soon as she said it, the truth of it settled over her. Her family wasn’t shrinking. It was growing. Warmth rose in her chest.

Cassian’s palm stayed protectively over her stomach. “I never learned much about your grandfather. Just that his name was Wynne, and that he was a gifted healer. Did he only have your mother?”

Elowen laid her hand over his. “He had two sons and a daughter. My mother was the youngest. I have two uncles.”

She paused, a little embarrassed. “So maybe I’m not quite as alone as I said. My uncles and their families are still out there somewhere. We just haven’t had real contact in years. And my grandmother… I only ever knew her from a portrait.”

She let out a long, slow sigh. “But that was so long ago. I couldn’t remember her face now even if I tried.”

Cassian listened quietly. “Was your grandfather good to you?”

Her whole face lit up. “He spoiled me rotten. He always gave me special presents for my birthday. One year he even gave me an entire mountain range–a valley with a blue lake. It was called…”

She stopped herself, her heart jumping. If she said the real name, Cassian would know she was Azure.

“Huh?”

Thankfully, she recovered quickly. “Called… It’s been so long since I was back in Falkriver, I can’t remember.” Then she even let out an exaggerated sigh, putting on quite a show.

Cassian clearly wasn’t fooled, but he only looked at her with a gentle, knowing smile.

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2-4 2 * ræer der Stuffatter: Sha to s

“Have you ever been to Falkriver? It’s beautiful in its own way–so different from Vanelle. Here everything is busy streets and fine clothes. But Falkriver is wild. Mountains, lakes, strange herbs everywhere. They even have elephants. My youngest uncle could tame them. He let me feed one once, and I even got to ride a baby elephant…”

As she talked, contentment slowly warmed her cheeks.

Cassian smoothed her hair back and watched her until her mood lightened, then turned his attention back to easing the tension from her body.

Relaxed and warm, Elowen said after a while, “If Lieutenant Wrenner was telling the truth, and the Nordian royals really know my grandfather, then maybe that’s why they’re willing to help. Zachary did say as much. Cassian, do you think they mean it?”

Cassian’s tone stayed easy. “We’ll know soon enough. Anyone can talk. Let’s wait and see who follows through.”

Elowen nodded thoughtfully.

Two days later, a Nordian envoy arrived at the Crown Prince’s Wing, speaking fluent Avenlorian. “I’ve come on behalf of Her Highness, the Fifth Princess. After the other day, Her Highness has reconsidered. She now believes the Crown Princess may have had a point.”

Daphne’s eyes brightened. “Does the princess have a suggestion?”

The envoy shook his head. “Not a suggestion. A warning. The Duke of Duskmoor is close to his wife. He won’t be easy to tempt. Any ordinary trick is unlikely to drive them apart.”

Daphne frowned. She had to admit that sounded true.

The envoy smiled. “Still, Her Highness and His Highness will support whatever plan you choose. And if the Duke is willing, a political marriage is not out of the question.”

A political marriage!

Daphne’s eyes widened.

Of course. Elowen had been married to the Duke for months, and still there was no sign of a child. The Nordians wanted a royal alliance. If His Majesty had a reason to cast aside a wife with no heirs and no powerful family behind her, why would he hesitate?

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