Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 415

Elowen blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

Rowena's brows pulled together, her tone edged with frustration. "I've seen this before. Back then, she was infatuated with His Grace. Now it's someone else. Says she ran into a young man at Duskmoor Manor, but when I ask who, she just shakes her head and cries like she doesn't even understand it herself."

Elowen fell quiet.

Oh no...

Elara really doesn't do anything halfway when it comes to feelings.

As for who the man was, Elowen had a pretty good idea.

Zachary.

If it had been anyone ordinary, maybe this could have been handled cleanly. But Zachary was anything but simple. His identity alone made things complicated, not to mention everything tied to him.

Helping her was not just difficult. It was almost impossible.

Rowena let out a breath and waved a hand as if pushing the whole matter away. "I'm done worrying about her. She's grown, yet she lets something like this consume her. Maybe she needs to get hurt a little. Might teach her some sense. We're not meant to fall apart over a man."

Elowen nodded right away. "Exactly. That's what I was thinking too."

Rowena leaned back slightly, her tone turning more serious. "There's a book going around Vanelle lately. Ode to Springlight. Everyone's talking about it. I won't let Elara near it. Stories like that only pull girls deeper into their fantasies. Next thing you know, they're chasing feelings that have no place in real life."

Elowen felt a flicker of guilt but kept her voice steady. "Yeah... probably best to stay away from that kind of thing."

The night before the midwinter, Zachary slipped into Duskmoor Manor under the cover of darkness.

Elowen received him in Cassian's study.

That room had no palace attendants assigned to it, which made it the safest place in the entire residence.

Zachary didn't waste time. "Your Grace, about tomorrow's banquet. Our informants say Her Majesty is planning something."

Elowen gave a small, calm smile. "I already know. You don't need to worry about that."

She paused, then shifted her gaze slightly. "There's something else I wanted to ask. After Christmas, when you left the manor, did you happen to run into a young girl? Maybe fifteen or so?"

Zachary thought for a moment, then nodded. "I think I did. Why?"

Elowen chose her words carefully. "She seems to have... taken a liking to you."

Zachary went completely still.

That girl... liked him?

But she was a girl.

Elowen let out a quiet breath. "I'm not saying this to encourage anything. Quite the opposite. I don't think the two of you are suited at all. Once the festival is over, I need you to handle this properly. Make sure she lets go, completely."

Zachary drew in a slow breath, then nodded with clear resolve. "Understood, Your Grace."

Elowen studied his face for a moment.

Isn't she one of Isla's people?

Theodric repeated the title, sounding unimpressed. "Doesn't sound like much."

...Yeah, that tracks. My titles really aren't doing me any favors.

But Sandy only smiled more sweetly. "The title may be plain, but I've heard it's written by Azure."

That caught his attention. "The same Azure?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. That's what people are saying."

Theodric leaned slightly forward. "So the author didn't sign their name?"

Sandy lowered her gaze. "It was published under a different name."

She paused just long enough. "I've also heard... Azure is the Duchess of Duskmoor."

The hall fell silent.

Every gaze turned toward Elowen, curiosity sharp and unmistakable.

Isla smiled warmly, as if recalling something pleasant. "What a coincidence. I heard the same thing today."

Before Elowen could respond, Theodric looked at Isla. "And how did you come by that?"

Isla answered smoothly. "Your Majesty, since the Duchess is expecting, attendants were sent to Duskmoor Manor. Some of them used to serve under me. Today, I had gifts prepared for the manor, so Beatrice came to collect them. When I asked about the Duchess's condition, she mentioned that Her Grace has been writing stories to pass the time."