Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 642

Chapter 642 What Comes After

“It won’t be.”

Cassian drew her more securely into his arms so she could rest comfortably against him before answering in the same calm, measured tone he always used whenever she was anxious.

“Colton is getting old, and the Baker family no longer has anyone capable enough to properly inherit his influence. After everything that’s happened, he was forced to retreat and surrender a considerable amount of political power just to preserve the family itself. That may have saved the Bakers from immediate ruin, but it also exposed a massive amount of influence for everyone else to fight over.”

Cassian continued evenly, “The old noble houses and the newer factions rising have been waiting years for an opportunity like this. Even if we did absolutely nothing, they’d still tear apart the Baker family’s remaining influence piece by piece. Right now, the Bakers are far too busy protecting themselves to waste energy worrying about Lady Delphine.”

Elowen tilted her head slightly against his shoulder and looked up at him, her eyes unconsciously tracing the clean line of his jaw as he spoke.

“As for the palace,” Cassian added, “Lady Delphine lost control over the inner court long ago. Elira has spent years quietly replacing her people, removing anyone loyal to Lady Delphine from important posts and filling those positions with her own attendants instead. These days, Elira’s word carries far more weight inside the royal residence than Lady Delphine’s ever will again.”

Only then did some of the tension in Elowen’s expression finally ease.

Cassian gently smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing, “Some situations only look dangerous from the outside. His Majesty will absolutely order an investigation into Alaric’s death, but I already arranged for everyone involved to place the blame entirely on Daphne.”

Elowen listened quietly.

“Daphne already felt guilty toward you to begin with,” he said. “Now her family has collapsed, everything around her has fallen apart, and she’s nearly lost the will to keep living at all. When they question her about Alaric’s murder, she’ll admit to everything without resistance. Whatever they accuse her of, she’ll accept it. No one’s going to look any deeper.”

Elowen gave a small nod, though a trace of uncertainty still lingered in her eyes.

“But what about Alaric’s head?”

Cassian lowered his gaze toward her and met her bright, expectant eyes.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth before he reached up and gently touched her

1/4

Mon, Jun 1

Mager 842 What Comes After

check

I’ll bring it to you”

Elowen continued looking at him quietly.

130

“Alaric is no longer Crown Prince,” Cassian said calmly. “He’s already been stripped of royal status entirely, so he no longer qualifies for burial within the royal crypts. Still, His Majesty probably show him some mercy for old times sake and bury him at the ridge in the north instead. Taking his head afterward wouldn’t be difficult”

Elowen blinked once before suddenly asking, “So we sneak over there after dark?”

Cassian let out a low laugh.

The sound stayed warm and quiet in his chest, and Elowen could feel the faint vibration of it where she rested against him.

“That’s definitely an option,” he admitted with amusement while tightening his arm around her slightly, “although digging up a grave sounds like a lot more work than necessary.”

After considering it seriously, Elowen reluctantly agreed.

Cassian continued patiently, “Right now, Alaric’s body is still being kept inside the palace crypts. His Majesty intends to wait until the investigation is complete before arranging the burial. But the weather’s getting warmer, and the body can’t remain there for long. Once the inquiry wraps up, the King’s Guard will most likely escort him out of the palace themselves.”

At that, Elowen’s eyes immediately brightened.

“The commander of the King’s Guard is Draven,” she said. “He used to serve under you.”

And from what she remembered, Draven also seemed unusually interested in Scarlet.

If they asked him for help, there was a very good chance he would agree.

Cassian smiled approvingly. “Ella’s clever.”

Elowen wrinkled her nose slightly. “I honestly feel like I’ve gotten slower lately.”

The amusement in Cassian’s eyes deepened instantly.

“A little,” he admitted shamelessly. “You’re definitely not as sharp as you used to be.”

Elowen immediately widened her eyes at him.

Laughing softly, Cassian reached over and gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

2/4

9:14 Mon, Jun 1

Chapter 642 What Comes After

67

“That’s because you just gave birth to two children,” he said patiently. “Your body still hasn’t recovered completely, and you’ve been exhausted for weeks. Of course your mind isn’t moving as quickly as before.”

Hearing that made Elowen feel noticeably better.

She relaxed against him again and gave a quiet hum of agreement.

Cassian rested his chin lightly against her hair before continuing, “Because Alaric died while in the custody of the King’s Guard, His Majesty is definitely going to investigate every detail thoroughly. We should wait until the situation settles down before approaching Draven.”

Elowen nodded obediently to show she understood.

The carriage continued moving steadily forward while silence gradually settled around them

once more.

Resting against Cassian’s chest while listening to the slow rhythm of his heartbeat, Elowen soon began growing sleepy again.

By the time the carriage finally stopped outside Duskmoor Manor, she was already drifting at the edge of sleep.

Originally, Cassian had no intention of waking her.

But the carriage had barely jolted to a halt before Elowen startled awake on her own.

“Are we home already?” she mumbled while rubbing at her

eyes.

Cassian lifted the carriage curtain slightly and glanced outside.

“Not inside yet.”

Elowen looked confused. “Then why did we stop?”

The corner of Cassian’s mouth curved faintly upward.

“The horses got nervous when they saw someone standing outside.”

That only confused her more.

What kind of person could possibly frighten the Duke of Duskmoor’s carriage horses?

Cassian did not explain immediately.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify