Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165 Reckoning

Elowen frowned. “Scheming? What are you even talking about?”

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Marwen let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You planned every step. When the Marchioness of Havenstead came calling, you pretended you were asleep and wouldn’t see her, just to make her dislike you more. In public you never brought up Sylvia’s marriage, but behind the scenes you went straight to His Majesty and asked for a royal decree. And today, you knew I followed you out. You said someone was going to fetch the Crown Prince, but the only one who showed up was Piers. You knew I would bring people to catch you in the act. You set me up so I’d make a fool of myself.”

Elowen was honestly taken aback. So she figured out that much.

Marwen had actually traced most of the plan.

There were still differences.

In Elowen’s original arrangement, Marwen had not been part of it. After offending Theodric in the past, she would never have been invited to Alaric’s betrothal banquet.

Yet Marwen had come. She had heard Isla personally sent the invitation.

That unexpected move had saved Elowen a great deal of trouble. With Marwen present, everything became quicker and cleaner.

“You vicious little snake!” Marwen spat. “You-”

Smack.

Before the next insult could land, a loud, crisp slap cut her off.

Elspeth lowered her hand and stood there coldly “You call that humiliating you? No. This is humiliating you.”

Half of Marwen’s face went numb. She stood frozen, ears ringing.

“Schemes, schemes, that’s all you talk about. She’s barely more than a teenage girl. How would she mastermind all that?”

Elowen immediately put on a harmless, wide eyed look.

Elspeth’s heart twisted with guilt and pity when she saw it.

“And besides, she’s the Duchess of Duskmoor. What exactly could she want from you? What do you have that she needs? You’re lucky she didn’t plot against you. And you dare say she

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14:38 Sat, Feb 21 ON

Chapter 165 Reckoning

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blocked your daughter’s marriage. It was your own stupidity that wrecked Sylvia’s match. She cleaned up your mess and went to His Majesty for a decree, and you stand here calling her

names.”

Elspeth’s teeth clenched. “So all those awful things you said about her before were lies.”

Marwen felt miserable. “I…”

Elowen gave a soft sigh at just the right moment. “It’s my fault.”

Marwen’s heart jumped. Her first instinct was to rush over and shut Elowen up. When she started like that, it never ended well.

Too late.

“On my first day after marrying into Duskmoor Manor, Aunt sent someone to summon me to greet her. I didn’t go. Later, I took over management of the household and had her entry token withdrawn,” Elowen said gently.

“You are the Duchess. Of course the household authority should pass to you.” Elspeth frowned. “But why didn’t you greet her? She is Cassian’s aunt. That makes her your aunt as well. A new bride should pay her respects.”

Elowen lowered her gaze. “Because that morning I went to the palace first to see His Majesty and Her Majesty. I thought if I skipped them and went to Aunt first, people would say I didn’t understand proper order. They might even criticize Aunt for it.”

“That is the proper order,” Elspeth said firmly.

She shot Marwen a look of pure contempt. “What makes you think a new Duchess should come to you before the palace? Why not just claim the throne while you’re at it?”

Marwen’s face went pale.

Elspeth turned back. “And the entry token?”

Elowen answered softly, “Cassian’s courtyard is heavily guarded. No one is allowed in without permission. Even Aunt cannot enter without a token. Cassian trusted her and gave her one. But Lucien took it and slipped into the courtyard late at night. He intended to attack

Cassian.”

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