Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 324

Chapter 324 Parting Ways

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Elspeth sat down beside Elowen and let out a soft sigh. “I’ve packed everything and settled what needed settling. I’m leaving for Rivenshire after lunch.”

Elowen went still. She reached out at once and caught her aunt’s hand. “Why so soon? Can’t you stay a few more days? Or at least wait until Cassian comes back?”

Elspeth gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “What would be the point of waiting for him? I came because I wanted to say goodbye to you.”

Elowen looked at her uneasily. “Then… at least stay through the feast. Yesterday, attendants from Her Majesty Elira sent word inviting Cassian and me to spend the holiday at the palace. Won’t you come with us?”

If Elowen remembered right, in her last life Elspeth had spent Christmas’s at court too. She had even helped her once. The memory left a sharp ache behind.

Elspeth patted the back of her hand. “No, Ella. Not this year.”

Elspeth sighed again. “To be honest with you, Ella… when I was younger, or when my sister was still alive, spending Christmastide in Vanelle always felt joyful to me. But after I married, and after my sister passed from this world, the city began to feel strangely unfamiliar.”

She paused for a moment before continuing.

“Even when I go to court for the Christmas feast, though His Majesty is my nephew, I still feel as though I don’t truly belong there.”

After thinking it over, Elspeth gave a small, self-mocking smile.

“I suppose that’s the way of things. Once a woman marries, she belongs to her husband’s house. The home she was born into slowly becomes a place she no longer quite fits.”

Elowen sat there for a long moment, not knowing what to say.

“But it’s different for you.” Elspeth’s eyes softened. “Anyone can see Cassian truly loves you. You belong here. You’re the mistress of Duskmoor Manor now. This is your home, Ella.”

Tears stung Elowen’s eyes. “Aunt… I’m going to miss you so much.”

Elspeth brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, thumb warm and gentle. “Don’t worry. I’ll write as soon as I get home, and often after that.”

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Chapter 324 Parting Ways

Elowen could only nod, head lowered, voice thick as she murmured her agreement.

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Elspeth’s gaze dropped briefly to Elowen’s stomach, and mischief flickered through her fond expression. “Just try to give Cassian a child soon, all right? This manor would be much livelier with little ones running around.”

Elowen’s face turned bright red.

Since they would be parting so soon, the two of them stayed there a long while, talking in low voices, sharing little stories and private thoughts, trying to say everything they wanted before the moment came.

After lunch, Elowen personally made sure the house guards would escort Elspeth safely on her way. She also had another plain carriage prepared for Alistair, Lydia, and Nina, just as promised-they would all return to Rivenshire together.

When it was time to leave, Lydia looked almost exhilarated, like someone marching off to claim a long-awaited prize.

What’s she going to do when she finds out Havenstead Manor is basically broke now?

Nina, quiet and timid as ever, slipped a neatly folded scrap of paper into Elowen’s hand. “This… this is for you and Doctor Dray,” she said, looking thin and a little embarrassed.

After they were gone, Elowen unfolded it. The handwriting was clumsy and uneven, some of the characters misshapen, but with a little effort she could make out the words.

“Thank you, Your Grace and Doctor Dray.”

At the bottom was a tiny drawing of a skinny girl with a smile on her face.

Nina really is a good kid. Her only problem is that she has the wrong mother.

By the time she finished seeing them off, the shadows of afternoon had begun to lengthen.

She hadn’t slept well the night before, and now that the house had gone quiet, drowsiness started to pull at her. Mira quickly tidied the room, and Elowen slipped out of her outer dress and climbed into bed for a nap.

But sleep refused to come easily.

Half-dozing, trapped in that strange space between sleep and waking, Elowen seemed to see Cassian coming home.

Startled, she threw off the covers and rushed out to meet him, ignoring the bitter cold. All she

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Chapter 324 Parting Ways

wanted was to know what had happened.

But Cassian barely stopped. He only squeezed her hand before hurrying away, too preoccupied to explain anything.

She could only watch as he gave orders, checked luggage, and put on his armor.

Her heart jolted. “You… are you going to war?”

He nodded, grave and calm. “Yes.”

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Even as he was leaving, he bent and kissed her cheek. His voice was steady. “Ella, wait for me.”

So she waited. And waited.

Cassian never came back.

Uneasy and afraid, Elowen tossed and turned through what felt like endless time. Then at last she heard someone shout with joy, “His Grace has returned!”

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