Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 728

Awakening tore: Reborn to Be His Duchess

Chapter 728 She Wasn’t Ready to Let Go

Elira’s fingers trembled, and for a long time, she couldn’t find her voice.

Outside the palace, Theodric’s carriage rumbled into the distance. Quin followed closely behind, head bowed, barely daring to breathe. A night breeze swept past, carrying the sweet scent of sweet osmanthus, but it felt as though a bitter undertone lingered in the fragrance.

Theodric closed his eyes. His mind was entirely consumed by the image of Cassian kneeling before him– humble, yet completely at peace.

I have never had any desire for the throne, Cassian had said. All I want is my wife and child by my side, and to live freely. I would gladly die for Your Majesty if it came to that.

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Theodric felt a sudden sting behind his eyes. He opened them to look up at the sinking moon, a hollow emptiness opening in his chest that nothing could fill.

His mind drifted back to the years when he was merely a prince, locked in a brutal, life–or–death struggle for the throne with his brother. Cassian hadn’t hesitated for a second. He had gathered his troops and prepared to march out.

Before leaving, Cassian had looked back at him with a brilliant laugh. “Rest easy, Your Highness! I’ll bring his head back and present it to you as a birthday gift!”

And on the eve of Theodric’s birthday, he had done exactly that. Cassian had returned covered in blood, his armor shattered, but his eyes had been brighter than ever.

I wish you a long life, Your Highness. May you rule the world and prosper for eternity!

They had been so young then, believing the future was theirs to conquer. They had been brothers in the truest sense–free of suspicion, wariness, and the labyrinth of political schemes that defined them now.

The emperor closed his eyes again, forcing down the emotions churning within him.

“Quin,” he murmured, his voice muffled, as if speaking to the guard but really to himself. “Did I make a mistake?”

Quin caught his breath, quickly replying, “Why would Your Majesty say such a thing? You are a wise ruler. Everything you do is for the good of the empire. How could you be wrong?”

Theodric didn’t answer. He leaned back against the carriage frame and looked up at the moon for a long,

long the sprawling palace paths, casting a long, stretched shadow in the moonlight. his own dignity, he traveled on, utterly alone on a road that seemed to have no end

their departure from Vanelle for mid–October.

s true identity as the Oracle of Nordia was kept strictly secret. Because their journey be hidden from the public, the official story was that they were traveling to Nordia as voys. With the peace treaty recently signed, a representative was needed to foster relations two nations. As the primary architect of the peace talks, Cassian was the perfect choice for the

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Chapter 728 She Wasn’t Ready to Let Do

Anul since their children were still so young, it was only natural that they would bring them along That was the cover story everyone agreed upon.

When the news broke, Yvome, the Duchess of Falconcrest, immediately paid them a visit with Sylvia. The two of them sat in the Great Hall with Flowen and Lydia, sipping coffee and talking.

Yvonne was incredibly reluctant to see them go. “Why must you leave in such a hurry? The new year is only two months away. You could at least stay until after the holidays.

Elowen smiled. “Please forgive us, Your Grace, but we really have no choice. If we delay any longer, the weather will turn too cold for the babies to handle. October is mild–perfect for traveling. Besides, with two infants, we can’t rush; we’ll have to take our time. A journey that normally takes two weeks will probably take us a month. Even though winter will have begun by the time we reach Nordia, it isn’t quite as harsh as Vanelle, and we should be able to settle in before the heavy snow blocks the roads.”

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Sylvia’s eyes rimmed with red. “Elowen, I’m going to miss you so much.”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Elowen’s heart softened. “It’s not a final goodbye. Once we’re settled, you and Piers must come visit us in Nordia. Who knows, by then your own children might be running around.”

Sylvia sniffled, trying to blink back her tears, but they slipped down her cheeks anyway,

Elowen quickly handed her a handkerchief. “Sylvia, you’re eating for two now. You shouldn’t cry like this.”

Sylvia took the cloth and wiped her face, choking out, “I know… I just… I really don’t want you to leave.”

Barring a miracle, this would be the last time they would all sit together like this. Because of that, the conversation flowed freely as they shared a great deal tales of the amusing, the shocking, and the bizarre. Elowen listened to all sorts of gossip from around Vanelle, thinking that if she wrote them into a novel, it would surely be another bestseller.

Two days later, Lydia brought Lirien over to say her goodbyes.

“Lirien and I only came to Vanelle to keep you company,” Lydia said. “Now that you’re leaving, there’s no reason for me to stay. Besides, I really should head back to Rivenshire to check on my estate and businesses. Lirien always said she wanted to be a female general, and at her age, she needs to focus on her studies if she ever hopes to make that dream a reality.”

On the day Lydia left Vanelle, Elowen and Cassian went to see her off.

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The carriages were already prepared, with several large wagons fully loaded and servants bustling about, moving the remaining luggage. Standing by the carriage, Lirien wore a soft yellow robe, her hair tied up in twin buns. Her eyes were red and terribly swollen, making it obvious she had cried herself to sleep the night before.