Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39 The Gate

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Now, they stood on equal footing-no, the Garretts had the advantage. Their family thrived, their influence growing with the King’s favor, while Elowen’s father and brothers were moldering in their graves, their names fading from memory with each passing year.

In her past life, it was Daphne who had entered the Crown Prince’s Wing as Alaric’s concubine.

Her fortune had far outstripped Elowen’s. Daphne had shared his bed on their wedding night. Whispers among the servants spoke of Alaric calling for a bath twice, a sign of his ardent favor.

Elowen, thinking their long friendship would provide companionship and support, had been naively hopeful.

But Daphne, while addressing Elowen with a veneer of respect, had acted very differently.

Because of her, the rift between Elowen and Alaric had widened into a chasm.

The servants of the Wing, sensing the shift in power, had gravitated towards Daphne, gradually ignoring Elowen until, at times, she couldn’t even get a cup of water.

Now, seeing Elowen, Daphne lifted a brow, crimson lips curving. “Elowen. What a surprise. It’s been an age.”

Elowen’s fingers tightened instinctively, her face paling slightly.

Daphne noted her pallor but attributed it to the hardships of being wed to a crippled duke.

She didn’t dwell on it. With a light laugh, she added, “Now, be a dear and have your coachman back up. I need to go first.”

Under normal circumstances, Elowen might have yielded. It was a minor delay.

But not today.

Not just because of the past hurts, but because now she represented the honor of both Duskmoor Manor and Hale Manor.

Her expression remained placid. “There is an order to things. My carriage has been waiting for its turn. Yours arrived later. Why should you take my place?”

A flicker of annoyance crossed Daphne’s face.

Their standoff blocked the gate, drawing impatient mutters from the carriages behind.

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12:41 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 39 The Gate

“How much longer?”

“Why have we stopped?”

“What’s the hold-up?”

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A figure with a notoriously short temper jumped down from his carriage and strode forward. “What the hell is going on here?”

Elowen recognized him-Piers Leofric, only son of the Duke of Falconcrest.

Duke of Falconcrest’s military honors rivaled the Hales. He still served in court and held real

power.

Piers, the pampered only heir, feared nothing and no one, not even the Crown Prince himself.

Rumor had it that the only person who’d ever bested him was Cassian, the details of that encounter being murky.

The young man, barely twenty with handsome, stormy features, glared at them. “There’s a damn line! Either move or get out of the way!”

Daphne bit her lip, turning to Elowen with a performative sigh. “Elowen, I know you’re upset with me, but look at all these people waiting.”

She adopted a long-suffering tone. “Fine. If you’re in such a hurry, go ahead. I can wait a little longer.”

It was her classic tactic-accuse the victim.

She was the one cutting in, yet with a few words, she painted Elowen as the unreasonable bully.

Elowen had fallen for this trick many times before. Though she was accustomed to it, seeing it now still sparked a bitter, incredulous laugh.

Piers was famously, almost fanatically, righteous. It was said he’d interrogate a stray dog if it looked suspicious.

His brows knitted together in disapproval. “What are you ‘letting’ her do?” he snapped at Daphne.

He turned his glare on Elowen. “I know you-you’re General Hale’s daughter. And I know she used to follow you around. Looks like old habits die hard. You got used to pushing her around, and now you’re the Duchess of Duskmoor, you think you can do as you please!”

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12:41 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 39 The Gate

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At the mention of Cassian, his voice took on a sharper, more personal edge, though he cloaked it in righteous fervor. “But this world runs on order and law! First come, first served. You think you can bully someone right in front of me? Think again!”

He pointed a decisive finger. “You will apologize to Lady Daphne. Then you will pull aside and wait until everyone else has entered!”

Elowen’s delicate brows drew together. She met Piers’ gaze squarely, ready to explain.

But Daphne cut in first, her voice a gentle, concerned murmur. “Lord Piers, your chivalry is appreciated. But we are at the palace gates. The Crown Prince’s Wing is just over there. If we cause a scene here, and word reaches His Highness…”

She glanced meaningfully at Elowen before continuing. “It’s Princess Maerwyn’s day. The Crown Prince is already occupied. To trouble him with something as trivial as a queue would be an unnecessary burden.”

Elowen’s frown deepened.

This was Daphne’s ultimate shield, the one that let her twist the truth with impunity.

Alaric.

Having shadowed Elowen for years, Daphne knew all about her feelings for Alaric. She knew that invoking his name was the surest way to make Elowen back down and swallow her grievances.

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