Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 478

"Five hundred horses. Not one less than that. And they had better be the finest stock you have. We're not accepting anything second-rate."

The chamber had filled with overlapping voices, each sharper than the last.

Roderic let out a low, humorless laugh, his expression turning openly contemptuous. "You keep insisting this agreement is meant to preserve peace for both our people, but listening to you now, it sounds more like you're preparing for your next campaign. And I wonder who you expect to ride those fine horses against."

His gaze slid toward Cassian, who had remained silent until now, watching the exchange unfold.

"Nordia, perhaps. And when that day comes, will you send your Duke of Duskmoor to ride straight through our lands again?"

Dominic's restraint snapped.

He struck the table with a sharp crack, his voice rising. "Mind your accusations. Do not twist our intentions to suit your own narrative."

Roderic surged to his feet in response, his hand slamming down just as hard. "And you think you can raise your voice at me without consequence? I've made myself clear. Three hundred horses. That is the final number. The armor is no longer part of this discussion."

Dominic pointed at him, his hand trembling with anger. "So this is how Nordia conducts itself. No honor, no regard for its word."

The insult landed heavily.

Cassian's expression darkened.

Roderic's face went rigid with fury, the shift immediate and dangerous. Without a word, he seized a heavy bronze weight from the table and hurled it across the chamber.

Everything unraveled at once.

Cassian stepped back, unwilling to be dragged into the chaos.

Then Dominic shouted, "Your Grace, watch out!" and lunged forward.

The impact came with a dull, sickening sound.

The bronze weight struck Dominic square in the forehead, splitting the skin open as blood poured down over his face.

Elowen listened in silence, her expression growing more intent with every detail.

"If both sides had already agreed," she said at last, her tone measured, "then for him to reverse himself so abruptly and push this hard, something must have changed behind the scenes. Either he's gained leverage, or he's been forced into a different position."

Cassian gave a slight nod. "That's my conclusion as well."

Elowen looked at him, decision settling in her eyes. "I'll reach out to Flowira and ask her directly. If something shifted within their side, she'll know."

Cassian glanced at her. "Flowira. The one who seems rather fond of you."

Elowen hesitated for the briefest moment.

So this is what it feels like to have someone stand with me.

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