Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 291

Chapter 291 Awkward

Chapter 291 Awkward

She had tried to make the marriage work afterward. That was not wrong either.

Alaric simply had not deserved it.

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Piers was far kinder than Alaric. If he learned that Sylvia had stitched her own wedding gown for him, he would probably have been deeply moved. From then on, he would have treasured her like something precious, fussing over her at the slightest sign she might be unwell.

“Your Grace,” Anson called from outside, “Falconcrest’s party has arrived.”

Sylvia turned her head so quickly the circlet’s delicate pendants swayed. “Is he here?”

Anson’s voice carried a grin. “The moment he arrived, he asked where the bride was. But the countess stopped him at the gate. She said he must prove himself first.”

It was an old wedding tradition-friends and family teasing the groom before allowing him to see his bride.

Sylvia sat very still, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

Elowen leaned closer and covered Sylvia’s hand with her own. “Don’t worry. They’ll probably make him recite a few lines of poetry or hit a target in the courtyard. He’ll manage it easily. And your aunt knows you’re eager. She won’t keep him waiting outside for

ong.”

Sylvia’s face flushed a deeper red. She lowered her gaze.

Outside, the noise swelled-cheers, laughter, and the constant bustle of men running back and forth with updates.

‘Three verses! Everyone’s applauding!”

‘He cleared the second challenge! Didn’t miss a single shot!”

‘He’s in the great hall! He’s presented the ceremonial gift to the Duke!”

The appointed hour had arrived.

Inside the room, an older attendant called out brightly, “The bride is ready!”

Outside, Caelan, the fifth prince, was already waiting.

Tradition required a male relative of the bride to escort her into the hall. Lucien was not considered worthy of the honor, and there was no suitable man from the Ashcroft family available.

Elira had proposed Caelan.

Theodric was Sylvia’s cousin, and Caelan had the proper standing. Having a royal prince escort her out would bring Sylvia great

distinction.

Caelan offered Sylvia his arm and escorted her into the hall. Cassian was present, though he was not seated in the place of honor.

The two seats reserved for the family elders stood empty. At the center of the hall stood a small memorial table, where a dark framed portrait of Aldric rested in silence.

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Chapter 291 Awkward

Sylvia saw it and broke. Tears streamed down her face at once. Her voice trembled as she whispered, “Father…”

It was a memorial portrait of Aldric.

That was what Elowen had meant: even without her mother and brother, Sylvia was not alone.

Her father was here, in the only way he could be, witnessing the most important moment of her life.

Sylvia wept before the tablet until she could barely breathe.

Piers, standing nearby, had reddened eyes as well.

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He stepped forward before the memorial and bowed his head solemnly. “Sir, I swear before you that for the rest of my life I will treat Sylvia with my whole heart. I will never allow her to suffer even the smallest injustice. We will grow old together, and I will never betray her.”

Elspeth was already crying openly, wiping her face again and again with a handkerchief.

Seated beside Cassian, Elowen felt her own nose sting.

Once the final formalities were finished, Piers helped Sylvia to her feet, carefully smoothing the folds of her gown before taking her hand and leading her toward the waiting carriage.

The music and chatter gradually faded as the procession moved away. Slowly, the hall grew quiet.

Cassian glanced at Elowen. “Did you cry?”

Elowen sniffed. “Almost.”

Then she remembered Vivian. “I need to go to the back courtyard.”

Cassian didn’t ask why. He only nodded. “Go.”

Elowen turned back toward the side rooms.

Even before she reached the door, she could hear Vivian’s hoarse, relentless screaming.

“Let me out! I’m a marchioness! You bastards-how dare you lock me up!”

Over and over, the same two lines, until her voice sounded raw.

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