Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28 A Quiet Line in the Sand

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She used to watch, wide-eyed with wonder, as strange ingredients were transformed into warm, fragrant pastries.

“Wow…” she would whisper in awe. Those memories now felt like a distant past.

“Aunt,” Elowen said quietly, “Do you think… maybe I’m just not someone worth loving?”

Isobel gently took her hand. “Elowen,” she said, “You’re more than worth it. You’re young, bright, confident, and kind. Anyone who’s ever met you can’t help but like you. If someone doesn’t, then the problem isn’t you. It’s them. They’re petty, or jealous, or both. But you? You’re the kind of girl anyone would be lucky to love.”

Warmth blossomed in Elowen’s chest. She nodded.

“No point feeling sad over Alaric,” she murmured. “Just like there’s no point feeling happy because of him.”

If she no longer cared about him, he couldn’t affect her anymore.

She took a bite of her aunt’s new pastry, and her eyes lit up. “This is incredible! Teach me how to make it!”

Isobel smiled. “Of course. I’ll show you.”

Elowen jumped to her feet. “Let’s go to the kitchen!” Her aunt chuckled and followed.

Together, they headed to the back. Elowen’s eyes widened at the sight of all the fresh produce.

“Where do you buy all these?” she asked.

“An old farmer lives near the southern end of Cloudmere Lane,” Isobel said. “He’s been growing vegetables for decades. My father used to buy from him, and I still do. He even brings in goods from neighboring villages.”

Elowen nodded thoughtfully. “What about wine Where do you get the best?”

“From the Windmill Tavern, of course,” her aunt said. “Don’t you remember? Back at Hale Manor, we always-”

She trailed off. It had been years since she’d been part of the manor.

Elowen tilted her head with a smile. “Once my aunt, always my aunt. I wasn’t wrong.”

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10:28 Wed, Feb 11 D GO

Chapter 28 A Quiet Line in the Sand

Isobel’s gaze softened with affection. She smiled back.

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They spent the afternoon baking pastries and packing them neatly into boxes. Once everything was loaded into the carriage, Elowen gave her aunt a tight farewell hug and left to place orders for vegetables and wine.

The payments were agreed upon, but the contracts still needed to be signed.

Her sister-in-law had drilled it into her early that nothing counted until it was written down and sealed. Without that, anything could still be undone.

By the time Elowen returned to the manor, it was nearly dusk.

She handed the pastry boxes to Mira. “Distribute these to everyone in the manor.”

Alaric returned to the Crown Prince’s Wing only to be met with a fierce scolding from Queen Isla.

She berated him over the palace’s ongoing financial troubles-saying that though she held the royal seal, even she was constantly scrambling to make ends meet. And yet here he was, her grown son, throwing around money as if it were nothing.

This time, Isla was truly furious. She didn’t even wait for the attendants to leave before lashing into him, not sparing him an ounce of dignity in front of the servants.

Humiliated and cornered, Alaric clenched his jaw and muttered, “…It was because of Elowen.”

The moment the name left his lips, Isla paused.

He seized the chance to tell her about Elowen’s supposed scheme-though, of course, he conveniently left out the part where he had added fifty to the price himself.

By the time he finished, Isla’s fury exploded. She hurled a cup to the floor, shattering it. “I knew it! That wretched girl is nothing but bad luck. Nothing good ever happens when you cross paths with her! We’re already scraping by in the palace, and now this-another absurd expense!”

Alaric let out a breath of relief. At least she had stopped blaming him.

Isla took a moment to calm herself, though her one was still sharp. “…Did you know Cassian has awakened?”

Alaric looked surprised. “Uncle Cassian woke up”

“It was only briefly, from what I’ve heard. The details are still unclear. But your father wants you to visit Duskmoor Manor and check on him. The trouble is, Elowen’s there. Today, she tricked you into spending all that money, and I suspect it’s because she still hasn’t let you go.

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10:28 Wed, Feb 11 D

Chapter 28 A Quiet Line in the Sand

If you go to the manor now, she’ll likely think you’re doing it for her.”

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