Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 479

Flowira gave a slow shake of her head, her voice steady and certain. "None of that, Your Grace. You know how my brother is. He keeps himself apart from matters like these and has no taste for negotiation or governance. This treaty has been shaped mostly by my uncle and me. And to be frank, the terms offered by His Majesty of Avenlor would give our people real breathing room, a chance to recover after years of hardship. My uncle may come off as hard-edged and difficult, but in private, he's been more than satisfied with the goodwill Avenlor has shown."

Elowen leaned back slightly, her fingers resting against the arm of her chair as she considered it. "If nothing has changed within your court, and there's been no new command from your king, then why would Prince Roderic suddenly shift his stance?"

"That's what troubles me," Flowira admitted, her brows knitting together. "He has a temper, yes, but he's never been reckless or blind to the larger picture. What he did today felt... wrong."

The study fell into a heavy quiet, broken only by the faint crackle from the iron wall sconce where the flame flickered against the metal.

It was clear there was little more to uncover from this line of thought.

Elowen let out a soft breath. "You came all this way at this hour. I'm grateful. It's late, though. You should head back and get some rest."

Flowira rose at once. "Of course."

She reached for the fur-lined riding cap set beside her but paused, her fingers brushing along the worn edge as something tugged at her memory. Then she looked up again, eyes catching the firelight.

"There is something else. I don't know if it matters, but... it might."

Elowen straightened. "Go on."

"It was the day we settled the main terms," Flowira said slowly. "We had just left the royal residence and were on our way back when a palace attendant hurried after us. I had never seen him before. He said my uncle had left behind a wolf-tooth pendant in one of the side chambers of the Hall of Imperial Grace."

Elowen's attention sharpened.

"My uncle stepped aside with him and spoke for a short while."

Elowen leaned forward, her voice low. "Did you hear anything?"

"I didn't think it was important at the time," Flowira said, shaking her head. "I stayed where I was. But a few words carried over. Something about a stronger army, gaining an advantage, becoming... more formidable. And there was talk of desire, of coveting land."

She frowned faintly. "The man didn't linger. He said what he came to say and left. But after that, my uncle's expression changed. I thought he was irritated over the pendant or the carelessness of the palace staff. Now... I don't think that was it."

Elowen slowly sat upright, a chill creeping into her fingertips. "He was being warned that once Avenlor takes possession of your warhorses and armor, its strength will grow even further, and sooner or later, it will turn that strength northward."

Flowira's face paled. "Yes. That would do it."

She drew in a quiet breath. "My uncle isn't what he seems, Your Grace. He looks like a man who lives for conquest, but he doesn't. When he was young, he was driven out during tribal strife and survived only because a poor woman took him in. He's seen what hunger does to people. What cold does. He's watched families fall apart just trying to live through winter. Everything he's done, whether choosing war or peace, has been for one reason, to make sure our people don't have to live like that anymore."

Her voice softened. "If he truly believed Avenlor was building strength now only to strike later, then of course he would push back, even if it meant tearing apart the agreement. To him, that wouldn't be stubbornness. It would be protection."

Elowen gave a slow nod.

The root of it was clear now.

No. That's not who he is.

What he has always wanted... is me.

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