Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 412

Just before sleep fully claimed her, Elowen felt herself drawn back into Cassian's arms.

His lips brushed over her damp forehead, then her brow, then the corner of her mouth, lingering in slow, unhurried kisses, one after another, as if he had no intention of stopping.

When she woke again, the light had already shifted well into the afternoon.

The space beside her was empty. Cassian had long since risen.

She shifted slightly. The lingering fatigue was still there, heavy in her limbs, but everything else felt... comfortable and clean. Her nightclothes had been changed, and the sheets beneath her were fresh.

He must have taken care of it himself.

Lying there, staring up at the canopy, Elowen found herself drifting into thought.

People always said that as men got older, they slowed down, lost their edge, and didn't care nearly as much about that side of things anymore.

But Cassian...

How is he still like this?

He was older than her, and yet in that regard, he showed no sign of restraint. If anything, he had far too much energy.

Has he really been holding back all these years... and now he's just making up for it all at once?

The thought made heat creep up her neck.

She pulled the covers halfway over her face, letting out a quiet, embarrassed laugh to herself before finally pushing herself upright.

She lingered in bed for quite a while before slowly sitting up.

With Cassian away from Duskmoor Manor today, Mira and Cora finally had the chance to attend to her closely.

"Your Grace," Mira said while helping her get ready, "the guard His Grace assigned to you has been waiting outside. He has something to report but didn't wish to disturb your rest."

Elowen gave a soft hum, unable to stop a small yawn from slipping out.

By the time she was seated at the table, a bowl of warm oatmeal had been set before her. As she ate, the guard began his report.

"After Your Grace left the bookshop yesterday, Finn immediately went to gather several acquaintances. He also brought out printing plates, ink, paper, and everything else required. At first light today, they began working in the back courtyard, dividing tasks between copying, proofreading, carving, and binding. They're moving efficiently."

Elowen nodded. "I won't be going out much for the time being. Let him deal with you directly if needed. If he has anything to pass along, or if I have instructions, you'll carry the message."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The following day, Elowen's new book was placed on sale at Finn's shop.

"You see? The ones willing to spend the coin and make noise have already stepped in."

The very next day, things shifted.

"Today, a large crowd came to the shop," the guard reported. "Word is spreading that this is Azure's first new work in years, and many came specifically because of that. However..." He hesitated slightly. "The shopkeeper says it still hasn't matched the surge from before, when Daphne claimed the name."

Elowen sat at her writing desk, carefully recording the household expenses, not even glancing up.

"That was expected," she said calmly. "After what happened last time, people are naturally more cautious. They'll wonder whether this is another imitation, or whether the quality still holds."

The guard continued, "The initial batch has already sold out. The shop is asking whether to begin another print run immediately. But doing so would require hiring additional workers at higher wages, and the current craftsmen would have to continue through the night."

Elowen shook her head.

"No. Once today's copies are gone, that's it."

She paused, then added in an even tone, "This kind of work demands focus. There's no need to push people to exhaustion just to sell a few extra copies. Tell them to close on time."

A brief beat.

"Pay everyone in full," she continued. "And give each of them an extra bonus. Consider it proper compensation for their effort."