Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 460

Zachary stepped in wearing a pale, impeccably tailored coat in the fashion favored by Avenlor's scholars, the fine fabric catching the light with a quiet sheen. The clean lines of it followed his frame neatly, giving him a tall, almost delicate silhouette without looking overstated.

His features were refined to the point of being arresting, his jaw clean-cut, his neck long and pale where it showed above the structured collar. There was a certain sharpness to him beneath all that elegance, something subtle but unmistakable, like a finely honed edge concealed under polished layers.

Elowen found herself studying him for a moment longer than she meant to.

He was, quite simply, too beautiful.

"What brings you here today, Your Highness?" she asked.

Mira stepped forward and set down two cups of freshly poured coffee, the steam rising faintly.

Zachary accepted one but made no move to drink. He looked at Elowen and spoke evenly. "In a few days, once the roads have fully cleared and travel is easier, the Nordian delegation intends to begin formal negotiations with Avenlor. Matters of trade, the exchange of envoys, and movement along the borders will all be addressed."

Elowen gave a small nod.

The delegation had been in Vanelle for some time already, but until now, everything had remained at the level of courtesy and quiet testing. The real discussions were only just beginning.

"This should have started earlier," Zachary continued, "but I could see you had pressing matters to deal with, and things here were not entirely settled. So I chose to wait."

Elowen nodded again.

Zachary set the untouched cup aside and straightened slightly. "Before we begin those formal talks, there is a personal matter I once promised to handle."

"Elara," Elowen said.

"Yes."

Earlier, she had told him in confidence that Elara had become deeply attached to him at first sight.

He had taken that seriously.

"You may invite Miss Wrenner here," Zachary said. "Once she meets me properly, those feelings will fade on their own."

Elowen glanced at him again.

If anything, getting this close to him will probably just make it worse.

"Please trust me," he said, his tone steady and sincere.

Elowen considered it briefly. Perhaps he had something in mind that she could not yet see.

"Very well."

She called for Anson. When he entered, she instructed him, "Go and invite Miss Wrenner. Tell her I would like to speak with her."

Anson bowed and left at once.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify