Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 235

Chapter 235 The Wrong Guest

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At the Crown Prince’s Wing, the hall had fallen so still that even a hushed exchange carried, and when Isla heard the report, a faint crease touched her brow before a flicker of impatience crossed her face, her voice dropping as she dismissed it, “No sense of decorum, just have him turned away, there’s no need to bring this to me

The hall was too quiet for that to go unnoticed, and Theodric turned slightly, his gaze steady, “What is it?”

Isla immediately smoothed over her expression, her tone turning composed and measured, “Nothing of consequence, Your Majesty, there’s an old man at the palace gate claiming to be an illustrator, saying he’s an old acquaintance of Azure and came to offer his congratulations.”

“An acquaintance of Azure?” Theodric’s gaze shifted toward Daphne.

Daphne’s heart dropped. An acquaintance?

She wasn’t Azure, how could she possibly recognize anyone?

“He claims so, but that doesn’t make it true,” Isla continued, her tone calm, “the guest list was arranged well in advance, and this man appeared out of nowhere, poorly dressed and clearly out of place, most likely just a drifter hoping to slip in and take advantage of the occasion, I was about to have him escorted out.”

Daphne immediately turned toward the attendant, eager to push it forward, “Mother is right, you should-”

“Wait.”

Before she could finish, Maerwyn suddenly spoke up, her eyes lighting with excitement, “That might not be a drifter, he could really be Daphne’s acquaintance.”

Daphne’s expression stiffened instantly.

Maerwyn leaned forward, her voice bright with enthusiasm, “Have you forgotten, when Tales of Luminara became so popular, it wasn’t just the story, the illustrations played a huge part too, and those were all done by an older artist, you even thanked him at the end of the book, and now people say your new work doesn’t feel as good, I think it’s because the illustrations are missing.”

She turned eagerly to Isla, unable to hide her excitement, “Mother, please have him brought in, Daphne will definitely be happy to see him.”

Alarm bells rang sharply in Daphne’s mind, and he couldn’t help cursing Maerwyn for meddling.

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14:58 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 235 The Wrong Guest

Every word she had just said was pushing her straight toward disaster.

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Yet under everyone’s gaze, she couldn’t show even the slightest resistance, so she could only hold onto a stiff smile.

Scated above, Theodric fell into brief thought, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as he spoke, “I do remember the illustrations from Tales of Luminara, the technique was refined and the atmosphere was striking, easily comparable to the finest work from the

court.”

His gaze shifted to Daphne, carrying a quiet weight, “If your new work had the same illustrations, it would only elevate it further.”

Daphne’s chest tightened as she lowered her gaze at once, forcing her voice steady, “Your Majesty flatters me, I hardly deserve such praise.

She tried one last time to turn things away, “But as Mother mentioned, the man’s appearance is… unpresentable, and with so many distinguished guests here today, I worry that if he loses his composure before Your Majesty, it would reflect poorly on me.”

Theodric waved it off without concern, his tone firm, “That’s not how this works, the nobles are my people, and so are those who live outside these walls, even someone from the streets stands under my rule, and if I turn someone away simply because of how they look, then what right do I have to sit here?”

He paused, his gaze sharpening slightly as it rested on her, “Besides, today is your wedding, if someone has come all this way to offer you their congratulations, how could you refuse to see him, you accepted Elowen’s goodwill, so you can hear his as well.”

Without giving her any room to respond, he turned to Quin, “Bring him in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Quin bowed and left at once.

Daphne stood frozen where she was, fear rising so quickly it made her dizzy, and she tightened her hands at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as the sting barely kept her steady enough to remain composed.

Alaric stood beside her, watching everything.

His brow tightened slightly as doubt crept in.

Under normal circumstances, an acquaintance arriving like this would bring at least some recognition, even if not warmth, then calm familiarity.

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