Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 529

Elowen paused, clearly caught off guard.

Cassian leaned back slightly, watching her. "Let me ask you something. Back when Hale Manor was on the verge of collapse, if someone had stepped in and pulled you out of it, what would you have done?"

Elowen didn't even need to think. "I would've given them everything. My life included."

Cassian smiled faintly. "That's exactly how Nikki feels."

Elowen blinked, still processing that. "I really didn't think of it that way."

So something I did without thinking... meant that much to her?

She let out a small breath, then added, "Still, what those men said was disgusting. I didn't expect people like that to be part of Avenlor's scholar class."

Cassian's expression cooled slightly. "When you deal with them, don't hold back just to spare their pride. And don't second-guess yourself. Even if it turns into a bigger scene and reaches His Majesty, I'll handle it."

A hint of amusement slipped into his tone.

"I'll take it straight to His Majesty and play it up. You've seen it before, it works every time."

Elowen laughed, the sound soft and unguarded as she leaned into him, practically folding into his arms.

Cassian held her close, his voice dropping just a touch.

"Besides, this whole situation around the court qualification trials could use some attention. If it gets bigger, that works in our favor."

Elowen gave a quiet hum of agreement, tilting her face up to brush a light kiss against the corner of his lips.

"I'll follow your lead."

Before long, the court qualification trials came to an end.

Elowen had a carriage prepared, along with a full escort of Duskmoor Manor's most capable guards.

They set out in force toward the Imperial Examination Hall.

At the same time, the final session had just concluded.

The heavy wooden gates of the examination grounds opened slowly in the morning light.

Candidates began filing out, each carrying their belongings, their expressions a mix of exhaustion, relief, and lingering tension.

Josh had already packed everything carefully, his writing tools, bedding, and remaining provisions all secured inside his worn travel chest.

He lifted it onto his back and started toward the gate.

"Josh."

A calm, clear voice came from beside him.

He turned and immediately inclined his head. "Kaelan."

Kaelan stood there in a tailored blue coat, understated but clearly well made, the kind that spoke of quiet status rather than display. He looked composed, refined, like someone who belonged exactly where he stood.

"I came alone this time," Kaelan said. "No one to travel back with. Since we crossed paths, how about we head out together?"

Josh nodded easily. "That works."

Kaelan smiled and shifted the chest in his hand.

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