Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 395

Chapter 395 A Mother’s Kind of Love

By the time Elowen finished speaking, her eyes had lowered slightly, though a gentle smile lingered on her lips.

“My mother once held me in her arms and cried,” she said quietly. “I remember the tears falling onto my forehead. She told me that when she married into Hale Manor, it had nothing to do with how highly my father was regarded by Theodric, and it had nothing to do with the reputation our house carried in the eyes of the court. She married him for only one reason. She loved the man himself.”

Her voice softened, steady and sincere.

“She told me she loved my brother, and she loved me. The love she gave us never depended on anything. It came without expectations, without conditions. She loved us simply because we were her children.”

Elowen lifted her gaze again and looked directly at Aveline.

“Even if I spent my entire life unable to carry the weight of Hale Manor’s name, even if I never restored the family’s former honor, I would still be her daughter in her heart. She would love me just the same.”

Moisture shimmered in Aveline’s eyes.

After a moment she let out a quiet breath. “Your mother must have loved you very deeply.”

Elowen’s smile warmed slightly. “Don’t you love Kaelan the same way?”

The words struck Aveline like a sudden gust of wind. Her whole body stiffened.

Elowen’s voice remained calm and patient.

“Isn’t Kaelan facing the same kind of struggle I once did?”

Aveline parted her lips as if to answer. Yet something seemed to lodge in her throat. No words came out.

Without noticing when it had happened, the two of them had already walked all the way to the gates.

Elowen paused at the entrance and spoke gently, “Well then, I should be heading back now. If there’s anything you want to ask me later, you can always come find me at Duskmoor Manor.”

Aveline’s thoughts were tangled and unsettled. She nodded almost absentmindedly.

“Yes. Of course. Travel safely.”

Elowen returned the nod with a light smile and stepped into the waiting carriage.

The carriage bearing the crest of Duskmoor Manor soon rolled away from the gates.

Aveline remained where she stood, watching it disappear down the road.

A moment later an elderly maid approached from behind and lowered her head respectfully.

“Your Grace, earlier you sent word inviting Edmund to come today if he had time, so he could continue the young master’s lessons. A reply just arrived. He says he is free this afternoon and can come over.”

Ordinarily Aveline would have arranged everything at once with clear delight. Yet now Elowen’s words continued to echo in her mind.

Along with them came the image of Kaelan’s pale and fragile face, drained of vitality.

She stood there for a long moment before drawing a slow breath.

“Kaelan is already in such poor health. What good would a lesson do him right now?” she said quietly. “Send word to Edmund and thank him for his trouble. Tell him Kaelan needs quiet rest for the time being, and that I will visit him personally another day to offer my gratitude.”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“As for the lessons, we will wait until Kaelan’s health improves. When the time comes, I will ask

what he wants to do.”

The maid blinked in surprise.

Then a look of relief spread across her face, and she nodded eagerly. “Yes, Your Grace. I will deliver the message right away.”

Watching the maid hurry off with visible cheer, Aveline could not help smiling faintly herself.

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