Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 385

Chapter 385 Visitors at the Gate

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After leaving the palace, Elowen and Cassian returned to Duskmoor Manor with carriage after carriage filled with the treasures and brocades Theodric had bestowed upon them. Polished boxes, silk bundles, and ornate curios nearly filled the carriage from end to end.

Inside, a silver brazier burned with fine charcoal threads, releasing a steady warmth that gradually became a little too strong in the enclosed space.

Elowen felt her cheeks grow flushed from the heat. She lifted the thick brocade curtain beside the window and leaned slightly toward the opening, letting the cool winter air brush across the lower half of her face.

When she looked outside, the sight immediately caught her attention.

The avenue ahead was completely jammed with carriages, sedan chairs, and horses. Lanterns bobbed above the crowd while attendants called out directions and drivers argued over space. The entire street looked packed from one end to the other, filled with noise and movement.

Curious, Elowen turned to Cassian.

“What’s over there?” she asked. “Why are there so many people gathered in one place?”

Cassian rested his chin against his hand and answered in a relaxed tone. “That road leads straight to the front gate of our estate.”

Elowen blinked, her eyes widening a little.

“They’re all standing there?”

Cassian’s lips curved in an amused smile. “They’re paying visits.”

Elowen glanced from him back to the window again, astonishment slipping into her voice.

“There must be hundreds of them.”

Cassian chuckled quietly.

“To be honest, there have always been plenty of people hoping to visit Duskmoor Manor. Since the first day, the news of your pregnancy has spread all across Vanelle. Now even more people are trying to show up.”

He shifted slightly, still looking entirely at ease. “The holiday season gives everyone a convenient excuse to call on powerful households and deliver gifts. But I already gave orders.

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Chapter 385 Visitors at the Gate

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Every visiting card is to be declined, every gift returned, and no one is allowed through the gate.”

Elowen let out a relieved breath.

“That’s a good thing. Our residence sits deep in the inner court, far away from the front gate. We can’t hear all that noise from here. Otherwise we’d be listening to that chaos all day and probably wouldn’t sleep well at night.”

When they returned to Duskmoor Manor, Elowen summoned Cora.

“On the way back I noticed a great many people gathered outside the gate these days,” Elowen said. “I don’t have time to receive them, but it would be rude to simply chase them away.”

She paused briefly, thinking through the situation.

“The guards posted at the entrance must listen to that commotion day and night. And the maids and footmen living in the nearby courtyards probably aren’t sleeping well either.”

Elowen looked toward Cora.

“Make a list of the guards responsible for gate duty and patrols. This month each of them will receive an additional five dollars. As for the maids and footmen stationed near the entrance, give each of them three extra dollars.”

At that moment Beatrice happened to pass outside the study carrying a stack of freshly laundered garments she intended to register in storage. As she walked past the doorway, the words “three extra dollars” drifted clearly to her ears.

A spark of excitement immediately lit up her expression.

She had heard that the Duchess of Duskmoor was generous, but she had not expected another reward so soon after the Christmas.

Isla valued frugality and had never distributed money so freely.

It seemed their timing for arriving at Duskmoor Manor had been perfect.

Inside the study, Cora asked, “Should the reward only go to the servants assigned near the gate?”

Elowen thought for a moment. Since the intention was to show appreciation to the household staff, there was little reason to divide them so strictly.

“Let’s make it the same for everyone,” she said. “The guards will still receive five dollars, but

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Chapter 385 Visitors at the Gate

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every maid and footman throughout the estate will receive three additional dollars this month.”

Her voice carried a soft smile.

“Let the whole household share the good fortune of the Christmas and feel appreciated for their hard work during the holiday.”

Cora nodded, then hesitated.

“What about those who came from the palace?”

Outside the doorway, Beatrice quickly sharpened her attention and edged a little closer.

Just as Elowen was about to respond, she noticed the faint movement of light in the room and caught sight of half a figure beyond the door from the corner of her eye.

There was no mistaking that silhouette.

It was Beatrice. A clever idea formed immediately in Elowen’s mind.

Still smiling gently, she answered, “Their wages are paid by the palace. The estate has no authority over that. Any rewards should naturally come from the palace as well. There’s no need for us to give them anything.”

Every word reached Beatrice clearly. Indignation rose inside her chest.

Servants existed to guard their masters’ homes and manage household duties. That was simply their responsibility.

How could people receive extra dollars just because the gate outside had grown noisy?

Five dollars.

That amount was exactly what she used to receive for an entire month of diligent work in Isla’s household.

Yet here it was being handed out casually.

The Duchess of Duskmoor truly spent money without restraint.

Relying on the wealth of the ducal estate, she seemed to throw money around without the slightest concern.

And if rewards were being distributed at all, why were they given only to the servants of the

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