Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 545

Elowen lifted a crystal cup of honeyed drink to her lips, taking a slow sip before looking up.

The Nordian delegation was larger than expected.

Flowira and Zachary walked among them, flanking a woman at the center.

That had to be Valessa.

She had clearly dressed with intent.

A deep crimson gown, richly woven with gold thread, caught the torchlight as she moved. The cut followed Avenlor court fashion at a glance, but the tailoring was sharper, the sleeves fitted closer along the arms instead of flowing loose, giving her silhouette a more controlled, almost predatory elegance.

At her wrists were a pair of heavy gold cuffs, each sculpted into snarling wolf heads, the craftsmanship so vivid they almost seemed ready to bite.

Her skirt fell straight without splits, paired with dark deerskin boots that rose to her ankles. The tips curved slightly upward, each adorned with a single luminous pearl that swayed faintly with her steps.

Her hair had been braided into multiple fine strands, each tied off with small gold rings. Half of those braids were gathered and secured with a crescent-shaped comb set with rubies, while the rest spilled freely down her back and shoulders.

At her brow rested a deep amber gem, large and glowing like captured firelight, intensifying the sharpness of her features.

Her brows arched cleanly, her lashes thick, her eyes naturally tilted upward at the corners. There was something untamed in her beauty, something bold and unapologetic, the kind that didn't invite admiration so much as demand it.

Elowen watched her for a moment, then said softly, "She's stunning."

Cassian didn't look up, his attention still on peeling the skin from a grape with careful precision before placing it into a small dish for her. "Not as stunning as you."

Elowen glanced at him, caught slightly off guard.

Before she could respond, Valessa had already stepped forward and come to a stop in the center of the hall.

"Which one of you is the Lady of Grace and Virtue?"

Her Avenlor speech was flawless.

Elowen had just placed the grape into her mouth. At the question, she looked up.

Every gaze in the hall had already turned toward her.

Valessa followed their attention and locked onto Elowen. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"So it's you."

Her gaze moved over Elowen once, deliberate and unhurried. "You live up to the reputation."

Elowen swallowed, then lifted a linen napkin to lightly touch the corner of her lips before rising with composed grace. "Your Highness is generous. You are truly—"

"Beautiful, yes," Valessa cut in, her attention already drifting away as if she had lost interest mid-sentence. "But empty."

Her tone carried open disdain. "A bloom with no fragrance. Looks good from a distance, offers nothing up close."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the hall.

Elowen paused briefly.

She had never met Valessa before. The hostility was immediate, deliberate.

Cassian's expression darkened, his posture shifting as he started to rise. Elowen caught it instantly and placed her hand lightly on his shoulder.

Cassian looked at her. There was no hurt in her expression.

Only calm refusal. She didn't want him intervening.

Cassian held her gaze, the tension in his eyes cooling into something colder, more restrained. After a moment, he settled back into his seat.

"Your Highness..." Flowira spoke from the side, still dressed in Zachary's attire. "The Duchess is widely admired. Her Tales of Luminara have spread through Nordia, and many readers truly enjoy them—"

Could it be she's heard of me in Nordia... and taken an interest?

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