Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177 Autumn Hunt

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All of a sudden, in that brief instant, Elowen felt a dull ache rise in her chest, and she found herself missing Cassian.

As the month drew to a close, autumn settled deeper over Vanelle.

On the day of the hunt, Elowen added an extra layer before heading out.

Mira tied the ribbons neatly and said, thinking out loud, “Every year at the autumn hunt, there are competitions. Your Grace hasn’t joined in for years. Maybe this time you could give it a shot?”

Before Elowen could answer, Cora cut in, “Doctor Dray just said yesterday that Your Grace’s knee is better, enough for riding, sure. But not for long, and definitely nothing too intense. It hasn’t fully healed yet. Today you should just enjoy the food and watch the fun.”

Mira puffed her cheeks. “That’s such a waste.”

Elowen had grown up at Hale Manor. She had been riding since she was little, and she was good, really good.

People in Vanelle were too busy gossiping about her history with Alaric and Cassian. They had all forgotten that when it came to riding and archery, she was easily among the best.

Elowen lowered her eyes, a faint smile on her lips. “Whether I compete or not, that probably won’t be up to me anyway.”

At the outer hunting grounds, Daphne had arrived early and was chatting with two other young women.

Eleanor looked Daphne up and down and smiled brightly. “Daphne, that outfit looks stunning on you. It cannot have been cheap.”

Daphne let out a small sigh. “I would have chosen something simpler. But with my place at the Crown Prince’s Wing, I have to represent it properly.”

Cathy smiled, her voice light and teasing. “Daphne’s never been like the rest of us. We are content with our embroidery and music. She would rather be out riding at dawn. Hand her a bow and she will not miss.”

In Avenlor, noblewomen were expected to be composed and elegant. Riding was common enough among the gentry, but hunting and archery were pursuits most families preferred to

leave to their sons.

The Garrett family were known for their scholarship, yet their connection to Hale family

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Chapter 177 Autumn Hunt

meant Daphne had been taught to ride and handle a bow from a young age.

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Yet Daphne shook her head modestly. “That barely counts. If we are talking about real skill, the Duchess of Duskmoor is the best. Too bad her knee is injured now…”

An injured knee meant she could never ride the same way again.

Back then, as long as Elowen was present, Daphne would not even get on a horse. Because she could never compare.

No one ever noticed her. It was just setting herself up to look foolish.

But now things were different. Elowen was practically half-crippled.

Daphne brought it up on purpose, hoping the other two would join in and tear Elowen down.

But Eleanor and Cathy exchanged a glance and stayed quiet.

Neither of them dared say a word.

They had once spoken badly about Elowen and were caught by Cassian himself. After that, their fathers were reprimanded by Theodric and pushed aside at court.

When their families learned it all started with them, they were furious and punished them harshly behind closed doors.

They had grown up pampered. They had never faced anything like that before. They cried for days and regretted everything.

Now, they would not dare say a single bad word about Elowen.

So Cathy just smiled and said, “Well, either way today’s spotlight is definitely yours, Daphne.”

Eleanor quickly nodded. “Exactly.”

Daphne looked at them, a trace of mockery in her eyes.

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They’re so scared of Elowen that they will not even whisper a word against her? Pathetic.

“Oh, right,” Cathy said, changing the subject, “I heard they brought in a lot of fine horses for today.”

“I heard that too. There’s even one from Tynelle a legendary bloodline. They say it can run all day without tiring, but it’s got a wild streak. Its been here for weeks, and no one’s managed to ride it, barely even get close.”

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Chapter 177 Autumn Hunt

She turned to Daphne. “Do you know about it?”

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