Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 238

Chapter 238 A Quiet Reunion

61%

+20 Free Coins

Elowen froze for a split second, then nodded, a faint blush touching her cheeks. “I had a bit too much to drink earlier.”

Cassian lifted a brow. “Then go.”

She flashed him a quick, almost guilty smile, then rose and slipped out of the hall.

As she walked, a thought crept in. Does Cassian suspect anything?If he ever finds out she’s Azure…

Just imagining it made her cringe.

She rounded a courtyard bursting with flowers-“Thud!”

The sound came from ahead.

Elowen looked up. There he was.

Elias had just stumbled on the stone steps and was now pushing himself back up, slow but steady.

Years had passed, and time had left its mark on his face. But his eyes were as sharp as ever, clear and alive, giving him a presence that hadn’t faded at all.

Something in Elowen’s chest tightened.

She hurried over. “Are you alright?”

Elias straightened, brushing dust off his clothes, I’m fine, thank you. And you are…?”

Mira stepped forward brightly. “This is Duchess of Duskmoor.”

Elias immediately brought his hands together in a respectful gesture. “Elias, at Your Grace’s service. My apologies for the disturbance.”

Watching him play along so seriously, pretending not to know her, pulled Elowen straight back to years ago.

Back when she had been secretly writing.

Back when he had quietly helped her bring those stories to life.

Whenever things got close to being discovered, he would switch just like this, acting like a stranger, helping her cover it up.

|||

1/3

<

14:59 Sat, Feb 21

Chapter 238 A Quiet Reunion

61%

+20 Free Coins

“I’ve read Tales of Luminara. Your illustrations were incredible,” Elowen said smoothly, matching his tone. “You haven’t drawn in years. How have you been?”

A flicker of understanding passed through his eyes, meant for her alone. “I appreciate Your Grace’s concern. I went back home, got myself a small patch of land. Plant in the spring, harvest in the fall. I’ve got a dog to keep me company. It’s a simple life, but a good one.”

Elowen nodded. But her eyes stung.

Back then, he had been barely getting by, selling paintings no one cared about.

Talent didn’t matter in Vanelle. Reputation did.

Julian had once said, “Those famous painters could smear mud on a canvas and people would still fight to buy it.”

Elowen had been the only one willing to pay for Elias’s work.

Elias had never forgotten any of it. He had been to Hale Manor, had seen Ember with his own eyes, had even painted her himself, and somewhere along the way, he had grown fond of that fiery little horse, just as he had come to care deeply about Elowen.

He had told her stories of his past, of the years he once led men into battle, long before betrayal carved those scars into his face, and how, after everything fell apart, he chose to walk away from it all and disappear into a quieter life.

Because he was the only one who knew the truth

Azure had never been anyone else.

It had always been Elowen.

She had poured her heart into the heroine she created, shaping every detail with care, and he had taken those words and brought them to life with his drawings, the two of them working side by side, selling those stories together until everything grew too large, too visible, too dangerous to keep going.

So she stopped.

And he left.

He returned to the countryside, saying that after a certain point in life, all anyone really wanted was a piece of land that belonged to them, something steady, something real.

There had been a time when he wrote to her, asking for money.

She had not had much herself, but she still sent him something of value.

III

2/3

<

14 59 Sat. Feb 21

Chapter 238 A Quiet Reunion

A hairpin.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify