Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145 The Marchioness Has Arrived

Elowen was puzzled. “She went to the palace? I didn’t see her there.”

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Gerda’s expression was grave. “Before going to the palace, Lady Marwen left the manor and went to see the Marchioness.”

Elowen’s heart sank.

Marwen would certainly not speak well of her.

On the contrary, recent events concerning Sylvia’s marriage prospects had left Marwen deeply resentful of Elowen.

Blocked by Cassian from confronting Elowen directly, she had been nursing her grievances.

Now, with an aunt arriving, Marwen had seized the opportunity to act.

Elowen had no idea what Marwen had said or how she had said it. Unease gnawed at her.

She was preoccupied with the matter all afternoon.

In the evening, as she prepared the lily seed soup, distracted by thoughts of the Marchioness, she accidentally brushed against the hot pot. A large red mark instantly blossomed on her forearm.

She treated it hastily, finished the soup, set aside a portion for Cassian, and shared the rest with the household.

Night fell, and the Marchioness still hadn’t arrived.

Elowen left the cooled soup on the table. A sharp pain shot through her arm.

Lifting her sleeve, she saw the afternoon’s burn had worsened. She frowned in concern.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside.

Thinking it was Cassian, she turned. Only Bran entered.

“His Grace is at the army camp, much occupied. He won’t return until tomorrow morning. He was concerned you might wait up, so he sent me to inform you. He asks you to sleep first.”

Elowen nodded slightly.

“My message delivered, I shall take my leave,” Bran said, turning to go.

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19:37 Fri, Feb 13 TTD

Chapter 145 The Marchioness Has Arrived

He rushed back just to deliver a message?

Elowen stopped him. “I made lily seed soup today. Have some before you go.”

Bran scratched his head. “I should hurry back to report to His Grace…”

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Just as Elowen was about to retract the offer, Bran had already turned and sat at the table. “But since you invite me, I’ll have a little.”

Elowen couldn’t help a small smile. “I saved a bowl for the Duke, but it might not keep well overnight. Take it with you later.”

“Got it.”

After a satisfying meal, Bran, in high spirits, took the food container and departed.

The rain had stopped outside. Elowen’s knees still ached, but her arm hurt more.

She blew gently on the burn, which brought slight relief.

“I’ll fetch a physician!” Mira, seeing this, was heartbroken and rushed out.

Not watching her path, she collided headlong with Gerda, yelped in pain, and stepped back. “Gerda, are you alright?”

Gerda had no time to answer. She said to Elowen, her expression solemn, “Your Grace, the Marchioness has arrived. She is in the front reception hall.”

Elowen’s expression grew serious. She clenched her fingers slightly. “Does she seem displeased?”

“Quite displeased.”

“Is she alone in the hall?”

Gerda thought for a moment. “She was alone. But people at Rose Hall likely know of her arrival by now. They will probably go to greet her.”

Elowen pondered for a moment, then said earnestly to Gerda, “Gerda, go tell the Marchioness that I’m not feeling well and have already turned in.”

Gerda was taken aback.

Cora couldn’t help but intervene, “Your Grace, that would be unwise! The Marchioness already holds a poor opinion of you. If you refuse to see her now, and Lady Marwen says unpleasant things, the Marchioness’ displeasure will only deepen.”

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19:37 Fri, Feb 13 TTO.

Chapter 145 The Marchioness Has Arrived

Elowen merely lowered her eyes and gave a soft smile. “That is precisely the point.”

Cora still didn’t understand.

“Gerda, go on,” Elowen urged.

Gerda assented and left to deliver the message.

Mira rubbed her forehead. “Then I’ll go fetch the physician.”

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But Elowen stopped her. “No need. My arm isn’t seriously hurt. Rest a bit and it’ll be fine.”

Having decided to feign sleep, she saw no need for further complications.

On one side, Elowen washed up, extinguished the lamps, and went to bed.

On the other, by the time Gerda returned to the reception hall, Marwen had already arrived.

Hearing that Elowen had turned in, Marwen heaved a dramatic sigh. “The Marchioness is an elder, and she traveled all the way from Rivenshire. Regardless, the Duchess should have come to greet her personally.”

Feigning concern, she added, “Gerda, perhaps you should go inform her again, urge her to come.”

“No need.” The Marchioness’ voice was icy, her face cold. “If she doesn’t want to see me, why drag her here?”

Gerda offered an apologetic smile. “I beg your pardon, My Lady. Her Grace has indeed been unwell these past few days. Her knees pain her greatly. His Grace even summoned Doctor Dray back for her.”

Marwen pretended to support this. “That is true. Her Grace has an old knee injury. Years ago, she and the Crown Prince encountered danger on the street. Without a second thought, she pushed him aside.”

She then added, as if pondering aloud, “She acted so decisively to save the Crown Prince back then. If His Grace were in danger… would she do the same for him?”

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