Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 346

Chapter 346 Ties That Bind

Alaric had Isla behind him, and Isla had the Baker family behind her.

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If the Baker family got dragged into this, then if Daphne got caught, they would have to share the consequences. And if they lost standing, Alaric’s hold over the Crown Prince’s Wing would weaken too.

The thought put Elowen in a good mood, and even the noodles seemed to taste better.

As Christmas Eve drew near, Elira sent Matilda to invite Elowen to the palace to discuss arrangements for the royal banquet.

Elowen arrived early. Lyra was already there.

The twelve-year-old princess was curled up asleep in Elira’s lap, all soft innocence and childish ease.

Looking at her, Elowen felt a sudden ache of nostalgia.

She used to love napping in her mother’s lap like that. Her mother had always smelled faintly sweet, and her warmth had been softer and safer than any bed.

“Your Grace,” Elowen said, pulling herself out of the memory as she greeted Elira.

Lyra stirred at the sound, lifting her sleepy head and blinking at Elowen with dazed, owlish eyes.

Elowen smiled warmly at her.

“The Duchess of Duskmoor is here,” Elira said.

She gave Lyra a pat on the back. “Up now, and mind your manners.”

Lyra clearly wanted to keep dozing, but she sat up obediently.

Elira turned back to Elowen with a gentle smile.

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“I didn’t summon you for anything urgent. You’ve likely heard that His Majesty has entrusted me with overseeing the Queen’s household privileges, so court matters have kept me quite busy lately. My mother visited not long ago, but I hardly had a moment to speak with her before she left.”

She gestured toward the table.

“She did bring a few things from home, though. Among them was a beautiful inkstand and quill set, and there’s a small story behind it.”

Elowen looked up, curiosity bright in her eyes. “Oh?”

Elira smiled faintly.

“The set was originally meant as a coming-of-age gift for your sister-in-law. She never used it, and when she married your brother she left it behind. My mother found it while sorting through some old belongings at home. It seemed a shame to leave something so finely made sitting in storage, so she brought it to the palace for me. But I already have more writing things than I could ever need.”

She looked at Elowen.

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Chapter 346 Ties That Bind

“So I thought you might like it.”

Elowen’s heart gave a small, startled leap.

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Her sister-in-law had always kept meticulous household ledgers. Her handwriting was elegant, and she had a fondness for collecting fine stationery and writing sets.

Elowen even remembered her mentioning this particular piece before. A beautifully crafted twin-swan inkstand, rare enough that people treated it almost like a family heirloom.

Elira knew how close Elowen had once been to her sister-in-law, and to her brother as well. The gift had clearly been chosen with care. She needed Elowen’s help, and she wasn’t trying to hide it.

With a small motion of her hand, Elira signaled for the box to be brought in. The matron returned from the adjoining room carrying it carefully in both hands and presented it to Elowen.

“You see,” Elira said gently, “I’m still finding my footing now that I’ve been placed in charge of the Queen’s household privileges. The Queen claims to be unwell and has excused herself from most duties, so I can’t rely on her guidance for the banquet. I’ll have to manage it myself, and I was hoping you might offer a little advice.”

There was no pretense in it. She spoke plainly.

Cassian had already warned Elowen.

The Queen was said to be ill, but according to him, the illness was likely more convenient than genuine.

Elowen had begun to suspect that the Queen had somehow angered Theodric. That would explain why her authority had quietly been handed over to Elira, along with responsibility for organizing the largest royal gathering of the year.

If Elira mishandled the banquet, Theodric might well restore the Queen’s authority.

And this year, with Nordian envoys in Vanelle, the celebration would be far larger and more complicated than usual.

With few people she could truly rely on, Elira had come to Elowen.

But Elira was no naive court lady. She had spent years navigating the royal court and had raised children of her own. She wasn’t the sort to walk into a trap unprepared. Bringing out such a prized writing set first was her way of securing Elowen’s goodwill.

“Please accept it,” Elira said softly.

“I’d be honored.”

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