Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15 A Manor Divided

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Ever since he suffered a throat injury years ago, Regan had spoken with difficulty. But Elowen was long accustomed to it and listened patiently before replying with a smile, “Today is the day I return to visit my family. His Grace remains unconscious, so it wasn’t convenient for

him to come with me.”

“Understand… understand…” Regan nodded slowly.

“I’ll head to the family chapel now, pay my respects to our ancestors.”

“Good… good…”

“You can go about your work. No need to accompany me.”

Regan responded with a grunt of acknowledgment. Then he seemed to remember something. “Also… the… the Duke’s heir… is here too…”

Elowen looked surprised. “Leonhart came?”

“Yes… yes…”

She smiled, her eyes curving as she took Mira along with her down the corridor. Behind them, Regan struggled to finish his sentence. “Also… His Highness… came… too…”

But Elowen didn’t hear that part. On the path to the chapel, Mira said with a cheerful grin, “I remember His Lordship always liked the things you made, my lady.”

“He did,” Elowen replied, “and I brought some honey-almond tea cakes today. I’ll share a few with him.”

She felt a little puzzled. Why would Leonhart be visiting the chapel at the manor today?

As they spoke, they arrived. The lighting inside wasn’t great. Elowen could make out two vague figures near the altar. One was clearly Leonhart, and the other was likely his attendant.

With a soft laugh, she stepped inside. “Leonhart, sometimes I suspect you have the gift of foresight. How else would you know I made tea cakes today just for my

Leonhart turned at the sound of her voice. “Elow-”

He caught himself and corrected, “My lady.”

return?”

“So well-behaved,” she said, her smile deepening as she looked over at him.

She was about to speak again when she caught a glimpse of the man standing beside him.

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Chapter 15 A Manor Divided

The words caught in her throat.

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Most of Cassian’s frame was cloaked in shadow, but even in the dim light, his face remained striking-sharply handsome.

Elowen frowned slightly and instinctively took a small step back, then quickly composed herself with a faint smile.

Not a warm one. Just courteous, distant. Alaric felt a wave of irritation rise within him.

“Your Highness is here too,” Elowen said, her tone flat, nothing like the warmth she had shown to Leonhart just moments ago, as if Alari were no more than a stranger.

He didn’t understand. What was she playing at? Was this another ploy to attract his attention?

“Oh, right.” Elowen turned to Mira and took the food box from her hands, opened it, and offered it to Leonhart. “Want one?”

Leonhart’s eyes nearly welled with tears.

Earlier that morning, he’d still been curled up under his blankets, sound asleep, when Alaric barged in and dragged him off to the family crypt to pay respects to the ancestors.

He had trained under Elowen’s father briefly in is youth, so there was no real excuse to refuse. He had wanted to eat first, but Alaric showed him into the carriage before he could even dress properly.

Now he was starving. Faced with Elowen’s bright smile, he didn’t hesitate and eagerly reached for a cake.

“These are for the memorial, aren’t they?” Alaric voice cut through the air like a blade.

Leonhart froze mid-reach. So… he wasn’t supposed to eat them?

“It’s fine. I made extra,” Elowen said with a kind smile. “Take some. They’re for sharing.”

Leonhart breathed a sigh of relief, finally free of guilt, and picked up a piece.

He took a bite. The soft, subtly sweet flavor melted over his tongue. His eyes fluttered shut for a second in bliss before he stuffed the whole thing in his mouth.

Alaric watched, throat bobbing. He was… hungry

Leonhart chewed contentedly, then turned to Alaric. “You should have one too. Hers are the best.”

Alaric scoffed inwardly. No one knew Elowen’s cooking better than he did.

III

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Chapter 15 A Manor Divided

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