Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 462

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Elara's gaze drifted slowly toward Elowen, unfocused at first, then settling as she blinked a few times. Her lips parted, and when she spoke, her voice sounded dry and uncertain. "Your Grace... I think I might actually be a little heartbroken."

Elowen felt a quiet laugh stir in her chest.

It was hard to blame her.

This was a girl just beginning to understand her own feelings. The first time, she had fallen for Cassian, only to watch him marry someone else. Then, just as her heart opened again, she found herself drawn to a man who turned out not to be a man at all.

Anyone would feel thrown off balance after that.

Elowen was about to offer something gentle in return, but Elara continued without missing a beat. "So, Your Grace... could you write me another story soon? If I have something really good to read, I'm sure I'll feel a lot better."

Elowen stared at her.

Then she laughed, unable to stop herself.

That night, pale moonlight drifted over Duskmoor Manor, and the whole estate settled into a deep, undisturbed stillness.

In the bedchamber, most of the lights had been put out, leaving only a small glass oil lamp burning low by the bedside, its glow soft and steady.

Elowen had already fallen asleep, though not deeply.

At the faint sound of footsteps, her eyes opened slightly, and sure enough, Cassian had returned.

He adjusted the wick of the lamp, set it lower, then removed his boots and slipped into bed beside her. Without hesitation, he drew her into his arms, letting her rest comfortably against the warmth of his chest.

"Did I wake you?"

"Not really," Elowen murmured, shifting until she settled just right against him. "I wasn't sleeping that deeply anyway."

She went on to tell him everything, from her aunt's letter to what had happened earlier with Flowira and Elara, her voice soft in the quiet room.

Cassian listened without interrupting. When she mentioned Elara asking for a new story, he let out a low, amused chuckle. "She says she's fallen for someone else, but if you ask me, she hasn't strayed very far at all."

Elowen tilted her head slightly. "But I'm a woman too."

The amusement in his eyes deepened. "She fell for your stories first. Once she realized you were the one behind them, it was only natural she'd grow attached to you as well. Same as Maerwyn."

Elowen gave a small nod. "I see."

Now I'm curious what would happen if she ever met Maerwyn...

After a short pause, Cassian spoke again, as if something had just occurred to him. "By the way, Ella."

"Hmm?"

"What Flowira said earlier was true. The Nordian delegation is ready to begin formal negotiations. His Majesty called me in this afternoon to go over the details."