Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174 Silk and Steel

The girls’ eyes widened.

“There had been compensation funds,” Daphne continued softly, “but they were all distributed to other soldiers’ families. I’ve heard you live quite modestly. Even your regular dresses, you wear for years.”

She sighed gently. “Did you bring enough coin today? If you find something you like but can’t afford it, I’ll buy it for you.”

Elowen paused.

If Daphne had not brought it up, she might have forgotten. Back then, her mother had just passed from grief.

During the first month, Elowen had handled the funeral calmly, smiling at everyone, composed.

In the second month, as the weather turned cooler, she had found a pair of soft knee cushions while sorting through a chest.

They had been her mother’s handiwork.

Whenever Elowen had been punished and forced to remain on her knees for long stretches, her mother never pleaded on her behalf. Elowen once thought that meant her mother did

not care.

But her mother had made those cushions. Fine silk on the outside, stuffed with soft cotton. elegant and precise, just like her.

That day, holding them, Elowen had broken down completely. She remembered her mother disliking her riding, saying it was dangerous.

That same day, Elowen had burned every riding outfit she owned.

She did not know how Daphne had learned of it. Bringing it up now was meant to slice open an old wound.

In her previous life, it would have worked.

Not now. After everything she had endured, a few cutting words meant nothing. In this world, aside from life and death, nothing truly mattered.

Elowen looked at Daphne steadily. “Daphne, I’m not here alone today.”

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14:40 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 174 Silk and Steel

“Oh?” Daphne looked around theatrically. “Is Cassian here too? I don’t see him.”

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She smiled sweetly. “I know you’re proud. Even if you don’t have much coin, you wouldn’t accept charity. But I’m not exactly a stranger. Once I marry Alaric and become Crown Princess, I’ll have to call you aunt.”

She mentioned Alaric again and again, waiting for Elowen’s expression to crack.

It did not. Instead, Elowen shook her head. “I don’t believe you’d actually buy it for me.”

Daphne responded automatically, “If I say I will then I will.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.

Elowen turned calmly to the other girls. “You all heard that, right? Daphne said she’d buy my riding clothes. Whatever I choose.”

Daphne stiffened. “That’s not what I…”

Before she could finish, Elowen turned to the clerk. “I’ll take every riding outfit in this room. Put it all on Daphne’s tab.”

The clerk blinked. “All of them?”

“Yes. All. Including the crimson one my aunt is trying on.”

The clerk’s face lit up. “Right away.”

Daphne’s eyes flew wide. These were already expensive pieces. All of them together would cost a fortune.

She had not brought nearly enough coin.

“I didn’t mean-”

Elowen looked at her with admiration. “You truly are generous. And you keep your word.”

Cornered under the gaze of her friends, Daphne felt the heat rising to her face.

The clerk moved swiftly, folding every set, beads clicking on the abacus as he calculated.

When he announced the total, Daphne nearly blacked out.

Elowen sighed softly. “I’m far too poor to afford this. Thankfully, the future Crown Princess can. For her, this amount is nothing.”

She smiled at Daphne. “Right?”

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