Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161 Rumors Ignite

63%

+10 Free Coins

Elowen said nothing. Marwen was going to drag her name through the mud, she could feel it.

No, not going to. Marwen was absolutely going to do it.

At the Crown Prince’s Wing, the ladies who had arrived early were already gathered in tight little circles, whispering about the scene from a few days ago, when Alaric had been forced into a public penance that left the entire palace buzzing.

Marwen stopped short when she heard that. “What are you all talking about? That day the Duchess tripped in the training yard and scraped her palm. His Highness just happened to be nearby. She turned around and blamed him, then insisted the Duke of Duskmoor take her to the palace to complain to His Majesty.”

One of the women looked at her doubtfully. “That doesn’t sound right.”

Marwen lifted her chin. “I am the Duke of Duskmoor’s aunt by marriage. I live at Duskmoor Manor. Why would I lie about something like that?”

The ladies exchanged looks.

I’ve met the Duchess of Duskmoor. She didn’t seem like that.”

D

น

f 7

A

3

5

4 L

+

+ N&

X

15

K

4

154

151

16

12

ང་ཕྲ་ ་ ་མ་ར

ট

||

3 4 •

1:

F 41

“You never really know what someone’s like behind closed doors.”

m

Another woman frowned. “But what would she gain from it?”

Marwen let out a short laugh. “Jealousy, what else. Didn’t you know? She and His Highness grew up together. Now she is the Duchess of Duskmoor, and His Highness is about to marry a Garrett daughter. You think she’s completely fine with that?”

The women looked at one another, their expressions turning thoughtful.

Someone leaned in. “Does the Duke of Duskmoor know about all this?”

Marwen sighed dramatically. “What can he do even if he does? The Duchess has him wrapped around her finger. She took over the entire household the moment she married in. He handed her everything and goes along with whatever she says.”

A woman nearby smiled faintly. “Isn’t that how it should be? If the Duchess doesn’t manage her own household, who should, an outsider?”

The word outsider stung like a slap.

Marwen shot her a sharp look. “You don’t understand. She didn’t marry into Duskmoor

|||

1/3

14:37 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 161 Rumors Ignite

63%

+10 Free Coins

Manor with good intentions. She only chose the Duke because she couldn’t marry His Highness. And after the wedding she still refuses to act like a proper Duchess. She pushes me around, blocks her cousin’s match, and stirs up rouble everywhere she goes. At this rate, Duskmoor Manor will fall apart in her hands.”

Not far away, Isla sat with a round silk fan in hand, a faint smile curving her lips.

The matron beside her leaned in. “Your Majesty, Marwen truly has begun spreading rumors about the Duchess of Duskmoor. The things she’s saying are quite harsh.”

Isla gave her fan a slow wave. “She is His Majesty’s and the Duke’s aunt. It is rare for her to attend gatherings.”

The meaning was clear, let her talk.

The matron bowed in understanding.

Isla lifted her gaze. More and more women were drifting toward Marwen, drawn in by the story. The smile at Isla’s lips deepened almost imperceptibly.

T

The matter of His Highness being punished had already spread. But very few people knew the full story.

A

H

生

What Marwen was saying was not true, yet it was exactly what Isla preferred people to believe.

She was not worried about it harming Alaric’s reputation.

In this world, people were far harsher on women. When a boy and girl grew up close and later married other people, if there were whispers afterward, it was always the woman who bore the blame.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify