Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 The Duke Wakes

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Although Cassian hadn’t fully regained consciousness this time, the palace always had ways of knowing. Whatever needed to be known, His Majesty would know first.

It was natural that Alaric had been sent.

“Have His Highness received in the front hall?” Elowen said.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

She turned to Mira. “Let’s finish dressing.”

Mira hesitated. She’d grown up beside Elowen and knew all about her past with Alaric. Tentatively, she asked, “Your Grace… maybe skip the lip color today? It might look like you’re trying to impress His Highness…”

Elowen smiled. “Silly Mira. Avoiding something just to prove I’m not trying to impress him is still a form of catering to him. We don’t owe His Highness anything. However, we normally dress, that’s how we’ll dress today. Let’s make it beautiful.”

Mira wasn’t quite sure she understood, but nodded anyway. Half an hour later, they reached the front hall. Alaric had been waiting for some time.

He sat perfectly composed in his chair, a cup of water at his side, mostly gone cold. When he looked up and saw her, his eyes flickered with unmistakable admiration.

Elowen wore a deep red gown of fine fabric, its lines simple and restrained. Her hair was set in a neat coiled twist, her neckline modestly cut and edged with subtle embroidery. She looked composed and refined, her beauty quiet rather than bold.

Alaric narrowed his eyes, a slow, mocking smile fugging at his lips. “Married to my uncle now, and still playing games. Dressing like this-trying to make Duskmoor Manor a laughingstock?”

Elowen raised an eyebrow. “Your Highness, what do you mean by that?” He snorted. “I came to see my uncle, not you. There was no need for you to dress up.”

“You think I dressed like this for you?”

“Didn’t you?”

Her gaze cooled. “No wonder Her Majesty is in such a rush to find you a wife. You’re sorely lacking in manners.”

Alaric’s brow furrowed. “You’re lecturing me now?”

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10:28 Wed, Feb 11 GO

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Chapter 30 The Duke Wakes

+5 Free Coins

“I am the Duchess of Duskmoor. I represent this household. Whether you visit or not, I present myself accordingly. Don’t say things like this in front of others. It only reflects poorly on Her Majesty’s guidance.”

For a moment, Alaric genuinely felt as if he were the one being scolded by an elder. And Elowen was younger than him!

He clenched his jaw, about to retort, but she had already moved on. “Your uncle woke briefly. He is not fully recovered.”

Still fuming, Alaric’s tone was sharp. “And you’re sure?”

She replied calmly, “We share a bed. Why wouldn’t I be sure?”

Alaric froze. “You sleep beside him? Even while he’s unconscious?”

Elowen looked puzzled. “He’s my husband. Why wouldn’t I?”

He was silent for a moment. Then relaxed. She was bluffing. She liked him too much to really share a bed with another man. She was just trying to provoke him.

Well, he wasn’t going to let her get away with it.

“I want to see him,” he said deliberately. Elowen frowned slightly. “He’s resting. It would be rude to disturb him.”

Cassian, once so proud and untouchable, now pale and thin. She imagined he wouldn’t want others to see him in this state.

That was her reasoning. But in Alaric’s ears, it sounded like an excuse. Proof that she was lying about sharing his bed.

“His Majesty sent me,” Alaric said flatly. “If you stop me, you’re stopping His Majesty. Are you hiding something?”

After a moment of consideration, Elowen relented. “If it’s His Majesty’s will… then let’s go pay our respects.”

They walked to the courtyard.

As soon as they entered, Alaric’s sharp eyes spotted the vanity and side bed tucked into the antechamber. He paused.

Elowen turned, following his gaze. That had been arranged on their wedding night. She hadn’t had time to take it down.

Before she could explain, Alaric chuckled coldly “Fooling others is one thing. But don’t fool

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