Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Share a Meal

Elowen opened her mouth, then shut it.

In her last life, something went down at Maerwyn’s birthday banquet.

Having lived through it once, Elowen had no desire to repeat the experience.

Now that Cassian was awake, his presence by her side would make all the difference.

But he had business that day.

His business probably mattered way more than hers.

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That he tolerated her occupying the position of Duchess was generosity enough. To demand more would be to invite his annoyance-a lesson learned all too well from her marriage to

Alaric.

So, she swallowed the words and simply nodded, her expression yielding. “Alright.”

She turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Cassian’s voice stopped her.

Puzzled, she looked back. “Is a dish not to your liking?”

Cassian raised a brow. “Did you snack in the kitchen?”

Elowen blinked, then quickly denied it. “Of course not!”

A faint amusement touched his eyes. “Then you worked hard to prepare this feast, yet you stand there watching me cat? Won’t you join me?”

Elowen stared, taken aback.

He’s inviting me to eat with him.

Alaric had never done such a thing. Sometimes, in a foul mood, he’d return to his wing and snap at her, “What use are you as a wife if you can’t even cook a proper meal?”

She’d rush to the kitchen.

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12:40 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 37 Share a Meal

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She’d memorized his preferences-his fondness for subtly sweet flavors, his aversion to overly spicy food that made him break out in rashes.

If the meal displeased him, his mood would sour further. He might not speak to her for days.

So every time she cooked for him, it was with trembling hands and meticulous care, often emerging from the kitchen sweaty and exhausted. And while he ate, she would stand nearby, serving him-refilling his plate, ladling his soup.

“This ham is too salty.”

“This stew is undercooked.”

She’d listen intently, whispering apologies, “Got it. I’ll do better next time.”

They had never once shared a meal at the same table.

And now, Cassian was inviting her to do just that.

“It’s dull eating alone. Join me,” he said.

Ah. Because it’s dull.

Elowen nodded, understanding that sentiment all too well.

After her family was gone, she, too, had found meals lonely and tedious.

She sat down.

From Cassian’s vantage point, he saw her quiet profile,

Her gaze remained fixed on the dishes, her lashes lowered, effectively shielding whatever emotion lay beneath.

She seemed preoccupied, but since she offered nothing, he didn’t press.

They ate the rest of the meal in a companionable, if silent, peace, the only sounds the soft clink of cutlery against porcelain.

As they finished and dusk began to settle, Elowen sipped from a cup of water, a crucial realization suddenly dawning.

Cassian is awake!

She had been sharing his bed all this time. But now he was conscious…

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12:40 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 37 Share a Meal

While he was unconscious, it had been marginally acceptable.

But now…

Elowen couldn’t quite imagine it.

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Cassian watched her hold the cup without drinking, her face twisted between tangled and worried. Honestly, it was a sight.

He thought for a moment, a smile tugging at his mouth. “Elowen.”

Distracted, she looked up. “Y-yes?”

He asked, perfectly aware of the answer, “While I was unconscious, where did you sleep?”

A blush crept up her neck. “I… slept beside you.”

Cassian made a noncommittal sound.

Elowen bit her lip. “My lord, if you find that inappropriate, Bran set up a cot in the adjoining room. I can sleep there…”

Cassian shook his head. “You’ll stay

here.”

Elowen blinked, her fingers tightening around the cup.

Cassian, having bathed earlier, was already in bed when Elowen finished her own preparations.

He sat propped against the headboard, a book in his right hand, fully focused.

She approached slowly, stopping by the bedside. “My lord, I’m… coming in.”

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