Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 316

Chapter 316 Invitation

What?

Has Cassian really gotten this addicted to cook?

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Matilda was waiting in the front hall with a cup of water. The moment Elowen stepped in, she set it down and rose. “Your Grace.”

“No need for formalities, Matilda. Did Her Majesty send a message?”

Matilda bowed again. “Not a message, Your Grace, but a question. Christmas is approaching, and His Majesty and His Grace have always been as close as brothers. In years past, before his marriage, His Grace always attended the Christmas feast at court. But now Duskmoor Manor has its own mistress, and this is Her Majesty Elira’s first year hosting the palace festivities. There is some uncertainty about the proper etiquette, so she sent me to ask-will you and His Grace spend Christmas at the manor this year, or attend the feast at court as usual?”

Elowen paused.

Had a whole year really gone by so quickly?

In her last life, there had been no chaos. The Queen’s Privy Seal was still in Isla’s hands. Cassian never woke. That Christmas at the palace had been dazzling and grand. But for Elowen, shut out and alone, every hour had felt like its own quiet punishment.

Thinking of that distant banquet, she smiled at Matilda and said softly, “It would be lonely, just the two of us here. Please tell Her Majesty that if she doesn’t mind the company, we’d be honored to spend Christmas at court again.”

Relief spread across Matilda’s face at once. She thanked Elowen repeatedly, exchanged a few blessings, and hurried off to deliver

the answer.

By sunset, the lamps had been lit and the last light was fading from the sky. Cassian came home carrying a bundle, the cold still clinging to him.

He stepped into the study. “Ella, I picked up some fine venison. Have the kitchen make a stew tonight. It’ll be perfect in this weather.”

A sudden, almost startling sense of ordinary happiness warmed Elowen. Just this simple domestic ease made her heart feel full. Resting her chin in her hand, she grinned. “Sounds good.”

“Oh, right. Matilda came by from the palace. Elira asked whether we’d stay here for Christmas’s or go to court. I told her we’d go to court. It’ll be livelier.”

Cassian walked over, picked up the half-finished cup of water beside her, and drank it down like it was nothing. “Fine with me. Whatever you want, Ella.”

Elowen stared. “Hey! That was mine! I was still drinking it!”

Cassian lifted a brow, eyes glinting. “I’ve already kissed you. You still care about sharing a cup?”

For a second, Elowen just sat there, stunned. Then color rushed over her face and down her neck. She sputtered and reached to cover his mouth. “You-you-can you not say things like that?”

Cassian just laughed, low and warm.

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1:44 pm P P P P

рррр.

Chapter 316 Invitation

He truly loved how easily his wife blushed. A few words and she was completely flustered.

With obvious affection, he caught her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “Sorry.”

But I’ll definitely say it again next time.

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Elowen tugged lightly at her hand, but he didn’t let go. So she gave up and changed the subject. “Your Grace, is your leg almost completely healed now?”

Cassian idly rubbed her fingers, clearly enjoying himself. “Just about.”

“Have you told His Majesty?”

“Not yet,” Cassian said. “Doctor Dray still comes by every few days to treat it. I want to wait until I’m fully recovered. No point telling His Majesty too early if something goes wrong.”

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