Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 267

Elspeth's expression hardened at once. "Laurent is the one who crossed the line, so why are you the one running around begging for mercy?"

Anwen's face tightened further. Her lips parted as if she meant to explain, yet no explanation seemed able to leave her mouth without making things sound worse.

Elowen adopted a mild, almost guileless expression, as though the whole situation had simply confused her. "Lady Anwen told me it wasn't anything serious. I don't understand military affairs, and she cried so miserably that I couldn't help feeling awful for her."

Her tone remained earnest and gentle. "So I swallowed my pride and went to speak with Cassian, hoping he might say a word to His Majesty."

Elspeth's frown deepened into open irritation as she turned sharply toward Anwen. "That man is your husband. If he's the one who made a mess of things, then you should be the one pleading with Cassian. Why on earth would you push Ella into doing it? Because you think she's too kind to refuse?"

Anwen's face drained of color. She stood there trembling, humiliation written across every line of her expression, yet she could not find a single reply that wouldn't make the situation worse.

Elowen lowered her gaze, her lashes casting faint shadows that made her look harmless and almost sweet.

After this, she will think twice before coming to me again. That alone makes the trouble worthwhile.

"Mother."

Clarisse's voice drifted in from the covered walkway, slightly hoarse.

Everyone turned.

Clarisse stepped into the hall from the back courtyard, that broad-shouldered man following a step behind her.

The moment Yvonne noticed them, her brow creased faintly. The reaction was subtle, but unmistakable. She shifted her gaze away at once, as though looking at them for too long might leave a stain.

Elowen watched them as well.

Clarisse looked perfectly composed. Her gown was neat, her hair arranged with careful precision. Nothing about her appearance suggested anything improper.

It was almost impossible to connect the poised, elegant woman before them with the one Elowen had glimpsed earlier among the rocks behind the garden.

There was another thing Elowen could not quite understand.

Sharing a bed with a man was not purely miserable, but it was hardly comfortable either. Even afterward there was that lingering soreness, that strange swollen discomfort.

So why does Clarisse enjoy it so much?

The moment they left the hot-spring estate, the pleasant smile Anwen had been forcing onto her face vanished.

She strode straight to the carriage, then spun around. Her brows were drawn tight, her face dark with restrained fury as she glared at Clarisse.

"Where did you go just now?"

Clarisse showed no sign of hurry or concern. She casually smoothed a faint crease from her sleeve and answered in a tone as calm as if they were chatting about the weather.

"What exactly are you imagining? What could I possibly have been doing? I was just walking around. The scenery here is rather nice."

Anwen's expression darkened further, the vein at her temple pulsing as her temper threatened to break loose.

Clarisse let out a small laugh edged with open disdain. "You embarrassed yourself in front of everyone, so now you plan to vent it on me?"

She lifted her eyes and met Anwen's gaze directly. "Father's in serious trouble, and Cassian clearly has no intention of going easy on him. When the time comes, who do you think you'll be relying on? It certainly won't be him. It'll be me."

Anwen narrowed her eyes. "What exactly are you implying?"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify