Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195 For Ember

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Even if she had entered the Crown Prince’s household without a title, she would have been nothing more than a kept woman.

Elowen did not say it aloud. She had already lived through being tied to the Crown Prince once before. That life had been bleak, humiliating, suffocating.

“I can give her up…” Alaric meant to say he could give up Daphne.

But before he could finish, Elowen stepped back on her own, deliberately putting space between them.

His words stalled.

She lowered her gaze. Her face was pale, expressionless. Then, without hesitation, she lowered herself to the ground before him.

Her knees struck the gravel scattered across the earth. The impact hurt, but not as sharply as she had expected.

It doesn’t hurt as much anymore. That’s because of Cassian.

He had brought Hugh to treat her knee properly. After weeks of careful recovery, it had improved significantly.

Another thought surfaced.

If word spreads that I did this, will it shame Duskmoor Manor?

That was the only thing that made her feel guilty. But for Ember, she could not think about that now.

“Oh my-”

A shocked voice sounded behind her.

Daphne had arrived with several people who had followed to watch. They had walked straight into the sight of Elowen lowering herself before Alaric.

Daphne covered her mouth. “Your Grace, why would you do that? Over a horse?”

Someone whispered, “The Duchess of Duskmoor truly values loyalty…”

Daphne shot that person a look. “Loyalty? She is the Duchess of Duskmoor. She’s not some nameless commoner. Dropping to the ground like that in front of everyone isn’t just

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Chapter 195 For Ember

embarrassing for her. It reflects on Duskmoor Manor as well.”

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She sniffed softly. “When Duke of Duskmoor returns, I doubt he’ll be pleased. Who would have thought he’d marry someone like this.”

Elowen ignored the chatter and ridicule behind her. She lifted her face and looked at Alaric. Her expression was nearly numb.

“Your Highness, I’m asking you. Please let my horse go.”

Her hair fell across the corner of her eye, stinging. She blinked, and moisture gathered slowly, reddening her gaze.

“I can’t lose Ember.”

The blood on her face had dried. The corner of her mouth pulled slightly as she forced herself to speak. “Please, Your Highness. Let her live.”

Ember was her favorite.

The little mare loved carrots. She was picky. If they were not fresh, she would refuse them.

Elowen had hated carrots as a child. No matter how her mother tried to coax her, she would secretly toss them away or pretend to be pitiful to avoid eating them.

After Ember came into her life, she slowly started eating them.

Even raw ones.

Many times she would hold a small carrot in her left hand, nibbling it herself, while holding a larger one in her right hand to Ember’s mouth.

When they were full, she would mount up and ride out.

They raced. They always came in first.

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Now Elowen bent forward without hesitation and pressed her forehead against the cold, hard ground.

Alaric looked down at her from above. Suddenly, he remembered the imperial betrothal banquet months ago.

When Theodric had asked, “Who do you wish to marry? Speak freely.”

She had lowered herself just like this then, steady and resolute.

She had said, “I grew up alongside His Highness and I respect him. I have never had

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Chapter 195 For Ember

improper feelings toward him.”

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She had also said, “I have long cared for Duke of Duskmoor. If I may marry him, I will have no regrets in this life.”

Alaric’s brows drew together tightly. Irritation churned inside him.

She was determined. Back then she had refused him outright and claimed she cared for Cassian.

Now she was the same. He had already made such a large concession.

“Elowen.” He ground out her name.

She remained motionless. “If you care so much about that horse,” he said slowly.

He crouched down in front of her, his voice low and cruel. “Then stay here and watch her die in front of you.”

The words struck her like a sudden blow. Elower jerked her head up. “You promised. You said if I asked you-”

“Yes,” Alaric replied, staring at her. “I said that. I changed my mind.”

“No… you can’t…”

She struggled forward and grabbed his arm.

“Guards!”

Alaric turned sharply. “Tie that horse. Kill it.”

Cassian entered Vanelle from the north.

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The hunting grounds stretched into the northern hills. The main entrance lay to the south, but he was in a hurry and did not circle around. He came straight in from the northern side.

Theodric was leading a group through the forest and had just sighted a deer.

As he drew the bowstring, he caught sight of the man in the wheelchair.

He froze briefly, then broke into a broad smile. You’re back. Finally.”

He released the tension on the bow and handed it to Quin before striding forward.

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