Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 217

Chapter 217 A Cold Warning

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Cassian’s voice stayed level, a faint, emotionless curve at his lips. “Like you said, I’m His Majesty’s only brother he truly favors, and my power runs deep. That means I can make threats you’d be wise to take seriously.”

A sudden gust of night wind swept through, lifting the sheer drapes.

From where Alaric stood, he could see Cassian seated beside the bed, confined to the chair.

Moonlight poured in, casting sharp lines across Cassian’s profile, turning him into something cold, almost untouchable.

Cassian’s lips curved just slightly, his eyes cutting and frigid. “Alaric, if you wake your aunt again, you can forget about being crown prince

Alaric stiffened.

Even sitting there, Cassian still felt impossible to challenge. Fear spread through him, slow and suffocating. This was Cassian, the one he had feared since he was a child.

The wind faded, the drapes settling back into place, blocking the view once more.

Alaric clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, the sting grounding him as he forced himself to calm down.

He didn’t believe Cassian’s words. Elowen loved him. That couldn’t just change overnight.

There had to be something else behind this. But tonight, he couldn’t take her away.

Not with Cassian right in front of him. Pushing harder would only humiliate him, maybe even make things worse.

He had already been confined once, and from what Tristan said, Theodric had grown increasingly dissatisfied with him. His position in the Crown Prince’s Wing wasn’t as secure as it looked.

If he provoked Cassian and lost his title, it wouldn’t be worth it.

There would be time. There had to be.

Alaric took one last long look toward the pavilion.

Ella, wait for me. I’ll find a way.

“Uncle…”

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14:53 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 217 A Cold Warning

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Before leaving, Alaric drew in a breath. “No matter how she ended up marrying you, whether she chose it or not, what we had was real. We grew up together. That wasn’t nothing.”

Cassian paused for a moment.

“Take care of yourself, Uncle Cassian.”

With that, Alaric turned and walked away, anger and resentment burning in his chest.

Bran followed at a distance with his men, making sure Alaric and his entourage fully left Duskmoor Manor.

The courtyard slowly fell quiet again, broken only by the faint chirping of insects and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.

A

The moonlight remained steady, as if nothing had happened at all.

Cassian stayed where he was, still seated, his expression darkened by Alaric’s last words.

At the betrothal banquet, there had been too many things between Elowen and Alaric that didn’t quite make sense.

“Cassian…”

A soft voice came from the couch. Cassian turned, his gaze landing on Elowen. “You’re awake?”

Elowen gave a small nod. “He woke me up.”

She studied his face. “Are you… upset?”

Cassian paused, saying nothing.

Elowen let out a quiet huff, half complaining, half coaxing him. “He’s so annoying, and so loud. He just kept going and going. I thought a bunch of people were yelling out there.”

“Ella.”

Cassian cut her off, his eyes fixed on her face. “At the banquet… why did you say you wanted to marry me?”

Elowen froze for a second. “I…”

Before she could continue, Cassian suddenly raised his hand and covered her lips. “Forget it.”

Confusion flickered in her eyes.

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14:53 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 217 A Cold Warning

Cassian’s gaze darkened. “You don’t have to explain.”

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It was true that she and Alaric had grown up together. It was also true that she had once cared for him, maybe even planned to marry him.

The thought drove Cassian into a quiet, consuming jealousy.

But he couldn’t take it out on her.

He wouldn’t.

The timing had been wrong. None of it had been her fault. Forcing her to explain would only make him feel worse, and make her feel like she was being doubted.

He steadied himself with that thought, then softened his tone. “Are you tired? Let’s go back and rest.”

Elowen nodded slowly.

Cassian released her. “Let’s go.”

He turned, about to leave the pavilion first.

“Wait.”

Elowen’s voice stopped him. He turned back.

She was still lying there, eyes bright as she looked at him, arms reaching out toward him in a quiet, playful plea. “I was sleeping too comfortably. I don’t have the strength to get up now. Help me.”

Cassian stepped closer and bent down beside her.

Elowen leaned on his shoulders as she sat up, tilting her head so her lips brushed lightly against his cheek.

“I grew up with Alaric,” she said softly, “but that doesn’t mean I had to marry him. He treated me badly. Really badly. We’re not even friends anymore. How could I marry him?”

Cassian stilled.

“I didn’t know you well before,” she continued, her voice gentle, “but I knew you were a good man. My mother always told me, whether it’s marriage or friendship, choose someone who’s already good at heart. That day, when His Majesty asked who I wanted to marry, I hadn’t planned anything… but there was only one answer in my mind.”

She looked at him. “It was you.”

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