Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 546

Iris lowered her head further. "I wouldn't presume to compare myself to Her Grace."

Valessa waved her off with little interest. "I don't need you. Step back."

Iris glanced toward Alaric.

She didn't mind the task, nor the insult. But she had stepped forward at his instruction.

Alaric watched the exchange, his mood unexpectedly light.

He waved a hand. "You're dismissed."

Relief passed quietly through Iris as she withdrew.

Across the hall, Elowen had taken in everything. For a moment, something amused her, and she let out a soft laugh.

Cassian turned slightly. "She spoke to you like that, and you're laughing?"

Elowen's eyes curved. "She still called me beautiful. I'll take the compliment."

Cassian's expression didn't ease. "Ella, you shouldn't have stopped me."

Elowen turned serious. "I know you didn't like seeing that. But this isn't just about that moment."

She shifted closer, lowering her voice.

"I thought of something."

Cassian glanced at her. "What?"

Elowen leaned in slightly. "Cassian, do you remember that account in The Chronicle of Kingdoms, the one where a ruler let his rival grow bold before moving against him?"

Cassian's eyes sharpened.

Understanding settled in.

He looked at her, then said quietly, "You're letting her push... on purpose."

She's not ignoring it. She's setting the stage.

Outside the hall, away from the noise, Iris walked along the pale stone corridor until the sound of voices faded behind her.

Only then did she stop in the shadow of a column and draw in a slow breath of cool night air.

She lifted her hand unconsciously, brushing her cheek.

"Iris."

A voice called softly from the darkness.

Her heart jumped. She recognized it immediately.

Caelan.

Her first instinct was caution. She glanced around quickly. No one.

"Don't worry," Caelan said, stepping forward into the dim light. "No one from the Crown Prince's Wing is nearby."

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