Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 352

Chapter 352 A Promise In Candlelight

Something gentle flickered in Cassian’s eyes, the tension at the corners of his mouth easing.

“Then love me for the rest of your life.”

Elowen didn’t hesitate for even a heartbeat. She nodded, bright and utterly sincere.

Meanwhile, Alaric was already awake before dawn.

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Though he remained confined to his residence by royal decree, tradition was not easily ignored. On the Christmas eve, the royal family always gathered for the grand feast, and the Crown Prince’s presence was expected.

And tonight, after days without seeing Elowen, he would finally see her again.

Just the thought made his pulse quicken.

“Your Highness.”

Tristan stepped forward with a formal bow.

“Your consort is waiting outside. She asked if you might join her in making decorations for the festival.”

Alaric didn’t even glance up from the table before him.

‘Tell her to return to her chambers.”

Tristan paused, the hesitation barely noticeable.

‘Your Highness, these past days she has braved the cold and snow to attend on Her Majesty. Whenever Her Majesty has felt unwell, she’s been there at once. Her Majesty has praised her several times.”

Alaric’s expression darkened.

‘If you admire her that much, Tristan,” he said coldly, “perhaps I should arrange for you to marry her.”

‘Of course not, Your Highness.” Tristan bowed even lower.

Alaric let out a sharp breath.

‘She will never deserve to be Crown Princess in my eyes. Send her away.”

He was already dreading the evening banquet. Sitting beside Daphne for hours would be a torment he could barely endure.

At the moment, even looking at her felt like too much.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Tristan withdrew quietly.

Alaric remained seated, brows drawn together as his thoughts churned.

The Nordian delegation would attend the feast tonight as well. Yet their faces, their manners, everything about them differed from what he remembered from his previous life.

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Chapter 352 A Promise In Candlelight

Still, that was hardly surprising.

Ever since he had been given this second chance, events had begun drifting away from the path he once knew.

No matter.

He was destined for the throne. Sooner or later, everyone would bow to him.

But first he needed to convince Theodric that he had changed. Only then would his confinement end.

Once free again, he could reclaim everything that had once been his.

Perhaps even Elowen. Even if she now stood beside the Duke of Duskmoor.

Lost in his calculations, Alaric barely noticed as afternoon faded into dusk.

Alaric arrived early at the Lyndor Hall for the feast.

He noticed Cassian and Elowen the moment they entered together.

His breath caught.

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Her gown was a deep crimson, rich as the glow of winter hearths. Gold embroidery curled across the fabric in elegant patterns, catching the torchlight whenever she moved. A dark blue mantle lay over her shoulders, its borders worked with delicate stitching, and strands of pearls with small gold pendants shimmered faintly with each step.

A slender circlet of jewels rested against her brow, its stones sparkling softly against her fair skin.

At her side, Cassian sat in a finely crafted wheeled chair of dark carved wood.

He wore midnight blue trimmed with gold, a broad belt fastened at his waist. Over his shoulders hung a cloak of black fox fur that sharpened the cool lines of his face, lending him an austere, distant grace.

Together they were impossible to overlook. Crimson beside shadowed black, warmth beside winter.

Every eye in the hall turned toward them.

They look perfect together. Perfect.

The thought slammed into Alaric with painful force.

Watching them was almost unbearable.

His fingers tightened around his wine goblet until the metal bit into his palm.

“How striking uncle Cassian and his wife look together,” Daphne murmured beside him, her voice soft with something that almost sounded like admiration.

Alaric’s jaw tightened.

“Ella wants nothing to do with him,” he muttered under his breath. “She’s still untouched.”

“You’ve said that before,” Daphne replied calmly.

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11:34 am

Chapter 352 A Promise In Candlelight

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“You don’t believe me?”

A faint smile curved her lips. Her expression remained mild, but something calculating flickered in her eyes.

“Oh, I believe you.”

Tonight, however, she had plans of her own.

“Don’t overstep,” Alaric said quietly.

The warmth vanished from his face, leaving his gaze cold and hard.

“I need my father’s approval tonight. If you cause trouble-”

He held her with a stare sharp enough to freeze the air between them.

“You know what will happen.”

A chill crept along Daphne’s spine, though her smile never faltered.

“Of course, Your Highness,” she said gently. “I only wish to make things easier for you.”

Alaric turned his gaze away, his mouth set in a thin line.

“You’d better.”

Cassian and Elowen had barely taken their places when the feast began in earnest.

Elira presided over the arrangements with calm assurance, offering gentle instructions to the attendants.

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