Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 481

Elowen didn't move right away after waking. She stayed where she was for a few quiet moments, letting her thoughts settle before slowly pushing herself upright.

"Mira," she called.

Footsteps came quickly from the outer chamber, hurried and uneven, and Mira stepped inside.

"You're awake, Your Grace."

Elowen looked at her, taking in the tension she hadn't quite managed to hide.

"What happened?" she asked, her tone calm but direct. "You don't look like everything's fine."

Mira hesitated, her hands tightening slightly at her sides.

That hesitation was enough.

There was only one thing that could leave her like this.

Elowen let out a quiet breath. "This is about His Grace, isn't it?"

Mira froze for a second, then slowly lifted her head.

Elowen met her gaze without wavering. "You don't need to hold back. If something's happened at court, it won't stay contained for long. I'd rather hear it clearly now than pick through rumors later."

Mira's eyes reddened almost instantly. "Your Grace..."

Elowen didn't rush her. The morning light fell softly across her face, but it did nothing to soften the steadiness in her expression.

After a moment, Mira spoke in a low voice. "His Grace has been detained at the royal residence."

Elowen's fingers tightened slightly against the bedding, though her expression barely shifted.

"Is this about Prince Roderic?" she asked.

Mira nodded quickly, wiping at her eyes. "Word from inside says Prince Roderic was badly injured. Every royal physician on duty was called in, and they worked through the entire night. They tried everything they could, but nothing worked. He passed just before dawn. His Majesty lost his temper on the spot, threw a drinking cup, and ordered a full investigation. The city watch, the High Court, and the royal guard have all been pulled in."

Elowen's voice remained even. "And how did this end up tied to Cassian?"

Mira lowered her voice further. "They're saying the scene didn't make sense. It was too clean. No sign of a struggle, no blood, nothing left behind. But somehow, the investigation led to His Grace. People are saying the prince offended him more than once at Hall of Imperial Grace, spoke out of turn, and pushed too far. So His Grace supposedly took advantage of the chaos last night and had him killed. They're saying he had the skill to do it cleanly and knew the city well enough to leave nothing behind..."

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