Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 406

Chapter 406 The First Move

Her voice had barely faded when the familiar sound of wheels rolling across polished wood approached from the corridor.

Cassian entered seated, maintaining the appearance he had chosen to present to the outside world.

The door closed behind him.

Without hesitation, he rose to his feet and crossed the room, reaching for the bed curtains and drawing them back with an easy, practiced motion. “You’re awake.”

The moment Elowen saw him, everything from the night before came rushing back with startling clarity.

Her face flushed instantly.

Cassian noticed at once, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Still embarrassed?”

He brushed his fingers lightly along her cheek, the warmth beneath his touch unmistakable.

Elowen covered her face, her voice slipping through her fingers. “I can’t stop replaying it. This is entirely your fault.”

His smile deepened. “You’ll get used to it, Ella.”

Then, as if nothing about the moment was unusual, he reached for the clothes set aside nearby. “Are you hungry? I had them prepare something light. You should eat before you start your day.”

He began helping her dress with quiet efficiency, movements unhurried and natural.

Elowen hesitated, then looked up at him, still flushed. “When you said I’d get used to it… what exactly did you mean? That this is going to be… frequent?”

Cassian gave a soft laugh. “Not quite.”

She relaxed, just a little.

No… that’d be too much.

Cassian adjusted the outer layer over her shoulders, his tone turning thoughtful. “What I meant is that there is more than one way to approach it. There is no reason to repeat the same

She decided she would ask discreetly later.

For now, she took the manuscript and returned to the window, settling into the light to read through it again from beginning to end.

The more she read, the more certain she became.

It was far stronger than Tales of Luminara. The urge rose again, stronger this time.

He stopped short in front of her, visibly shaken, hands clasped tightly as if bracing himself. “Your Grace, I owe you an apology. I made a serious mistake that day. I should never have sold you that book without checking it properly. If there is any punishment, I accept it. I only ask that you show mercy for the sake of my family.”

Elowen blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “I’m not here to hold you accountable for that. You can relax.”

She gave him a look, slightly puzzled. “And there’s no need to make it sound like a confession at trial.”

Finn searched her expression, trying to gauge whether she meant it.

Slowly, he let out a breath.

“Your Grace… you haven’t read The Begonia Hairpin, have you?”

Elowen kept her expression steady. Not only did I read it… Cassian actually read it out loud.

Outwardly, she remained composed. “Not yet. Why do you ask?”

Finn’s entire posture loosened with relief. “That’s good. That’s very good.”

He forced a small laugh. “No reason. Just thought I should check.”

Elowen gave a casual nod. “I bought quite a few books that day. I haven’t gotten through all of them yet.”