Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 656

Chapter 656 Breakfast in Westmarket

Elowen had assumed Leandry would politely decline

After all, he was the Deputy Minister of Rites, and someone of his rank hardly seemed likely to follow them into Westmarket for breakfast

What she did not know was that while Leander had always possessed a serious weakness for good food, today his reasons had very little to do with hunger.

Leander was the sort of man who kept little pastries or candied nuts tucked into his coat pockets at all times. Most officials waited until court ended before eating properly, but he personally needed something in his stomach early every morning or risked becoming faint halfway through royal proceedings.

In fact, he had already eaten breakfast before arriving today, which meant there was no practical reason at all for him to agree.

And yet, no matter how composed he tried to appear, the edge of his attention kept drifting toward Scarlet

So before he could stop himself, the answer was already leaving his mouth.

“If Your Grace is inviting me personally, I’d be honored to come along”

Elowen blinked at him in visible surprise.

Leander suddenly felt oddly self–conscious beneath her stare and hurried to explain himself.

“It also gives us time to continue discussing the Royal Weaving Bureau and Silverloom Exchange. Earlier at the estate, there were still several details we

didn’t fully

cover.”

At that, Elowen smiled warmly.

“That was exactly what I had in mind.”

And so the group headed together toward Westmarket.

Westmarket was one of the busiest districts in all of Vanelle.

(‘

The broad stone streets were lined tightly with shops selling everything imaginable, from roasted meats and fresh bread to bolts of fabric and inported wares, while painted wooden signs creaked gently overhead in the wind.

Although the morning rush had already begun thinning by the time they arrived, the air still carried the rich scent of broth, baked pastries, and sizzling butter.

Flowen had traveled lightly today, and even her carriage appeared ordinary enough that no one would immediately recognize her as the Duchess of Duskmoor.

Because of that, there was no need to clear the streets or draw attention. To everyone around them, they looked no different from another noble household stopping for breakfast.

10:00 am P p pp

Chapter 656 Breakfast in Westmarket

With easy familiarity, Elowen directed the coachman into an older side street tucked deeper within the district.

The little shop itself looked worn with age, its wooden sign faded from years of weather, while outside the entrance an enormous iron pot simmered steadily above the fire. Rich stew rolled and bubbled endlessly beneath drifting clouds of steam.

Once the carriage stopped, Elowen pushed open the carriage door and leaned out with a smile.

“This place has been here for more than a decade,” she told Scarlet. “Their stews are incredible. I used to come here every few days.”

Beside her, Mira nodded enthusiastically, eyes shining.

“She’s absolutely right.”

Scarlet smiled faintly and turned toward the shop.

Then her expression stalled.

At one of the outdoor tables near the entrance sat a familiar figure.

The man wore a slate–blue riding coat fitted neatly at the waist, and even seated, his broad shoulders and powerful frame stood out immediately. A steaming bowl rested in front of him, though he seemed distracted, holding the spoon loosely without actually eating.

The moment Scarlet recognized him, the smile on her face faltered slightly.

It was Draven.

Elowen recognized him a heartbeat later as well. Her own smile faded, and she quietly leaned toward Scarlet.

“It’s all right,” she murmured softly. “We can always eat somewhere else. Westmarket has plenty of good breakfast spots.”

Scarlet felt unexpectedly touched by the consideration and gave a small nod.

But at that exact moment, Draven suddenly turned around.

The instant he caught sight of Scarlet’s profile, he froze before surging to his feet so abruptly that the chair behind him tipped sideways with a sharp scrape. Even the bowl on the table rocked violently enough to spill stew across the wood.

After steadying himself, he bowed respectfully toward Elowen, though wisely avoiding directly addressing her as the Duchess of Duskmoor in the middle of a crowded street.

He was not foolish enough to cause that kind of scene.

Since pretending not to notice him was no longer possible, Elowen simply smiled politely.

“So the Commander enjoys this place too?”

10:00 am Pppp.

Chapter 656 Breakfast in Westmarket

Draven nodded at once.

“Yes. The food here’s excellent,”

Scarlet remained beside Mira with lowered eyes and an unreadable expression.

Meanwhile, Elowen found the entire situation painfully awkward.

Draven glanced discreetly toward Scarlet before speaking again, though his question remained directed toward Elowen.

“What brings Your Grace to Westmarket this morning?”

“I had business nearby,” Elowen answered naturally. “And it’s been a long time since I last came here.”

Draven’s gaze flicked toward Scarlet once more.

“Do Mira and Scarlet enjoy this place too?”

Elowen nodded casually. “I suppose you could say that.”

Standing nearby, Leander quietly took in the entire exchange.

And the more he noticed Draven repeatedly sneaking glances toward Scarlet, the more inexplicably irritated he became.

Without drawing obvious attention to it, he shifted halfa step forward until he stood neatly between Draven and Scarlet before speaking aloud in an easy tone.

“Since we’re already here, why don’t we sit down longer, there may not be any seats left.”

first? This place is popular enough that if we wait much

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