Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 Eyes That Begin to Open

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“No trouble at all,” Elowen cut in, smiling. “I brought Bran-and two guards. Both served under His Grace on the battlefield. They’ve carried broadswords heavier than this. A few ledgers will be no problem.”

Marwen’s face went pale. It wasn’t subtle. Elower was threatening her.

The trouble was, Rose Hall had only a few maids and matrons-none of them a match for soldiers trained in war.

Swallowing her anger, Marwen forced herself to nod.

Elowen watched as Marwen rose, pulled a small key from beneath her pillow, opened a small wooden chest under the bed, and retrieved a larger key.

Then she walked to the bookcase against the west wall of the adjoining study, unlocked the hidden cabinet inside, and revealed the ledgers and master keys of Duskmoor Manor.

Elowen took the keys herself and had Bran and the guards carry out the ledgers.

They were moved to the estate’s main study, where Elowen promptly began inspecting them.

She hadn’t read more than a few pages before letting out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “That woman. She’s so petty. The wages she gave the nanor’s maids were disgracefully low. Mira’s monthly pay equals six months’ wages for the personal maids at Rose Hall.”

She flipped through another. Then another. Her brows drew together in a frown.

“There aren’t even that many people living in the manor,” she murmured, rubbing her temples. “Yet somehow Marwen managed to spend a fortune every day on wine and food.”

Which meant only one thing-Marwen had been pocketing the money. And pocketing a lot of it.

But how?

Cora, setting aside the ink block, chimed in. “Your Grace may not know, but the supplier who sells vegetables to the manor is one of her cousins. And the wine? From a tavern she owns- just hidden behind a steward.”

Elowen’s eyes narrowed. So nearly all the funds were being funneled back to Marwen.

Cora continued, “Since His Grace fell ill and handled her the keys, things have only gotten worse. The food’s been terrible. Rotten meat. Mishy greens. Watered-down wine.”

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Chapter 24 Eyes That Begin to Open

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That part, Elowen had noticed. Since the wedding, the food had felt increasingly hard to swallow.

She’d thought the cooks were simply unskilled. Now she knew the truth lay in the ingredients.

“We’ll need new suppliers,” she said, already planning. “No use sticking with thieves.”

She also needed to select a birthday gift for Maerwyn. She had the perfect idea. Calling for a carriage, Elowen left Mira behind to continue learning from Edith and took Cora along, with the usual pair of guards.

Their destination was Cloudmere Lane, the most bustling market street in all of Vanelle. The district boasted clothiers and jewelers finer than anything even the palace could offer.

In her past life, Elowen had spent days searching before finally choosing a pair of Greenstone Bangles-translucent, smooth, and rare.

Yet when she had presented them, in full view of Alaric and a hall full of courtiers, Maerwyn had pretended to sneer. She called them hideous. Claimed Elowen had no taste.

Elowen had nearly lost face. But months later, she’d overheard a palace maid gossiping- Maerwyn had kept the bangles and wore them often.

She had liked them. She just wanted to humiliat Elowen. The princess had never liked her. Elowen didn’t know why.

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