Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 392

Chapter 392 More Than One Path

In her previous life, Elowen had loved Alaric as well.

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Yet when she slowly faded away inside the Crown Prince’s Wing, when sickness consumed her until she finally died, it had never been because she loved Alaric and could not have him.

Kaelan was much the same.

Elowen looked at him gently. “Kaelan, would you be willing to tell us what’s been weighing on your mind?”

Kaelan paused.

After a moment he slowly lowered his hands from his face. His eyes looked fragile as he met Elowen’s gaze.

The Duchess of Duskmoor looked exactly as she had in his memory, graceful and kind, genuine concern written across her face.

His heart softened immediately.

He found it impossible to refuse her. His throat moved as he swallowed before speaking hoarsely.

“My mother has told me since I was young that I must study hard. She says I have to pass the royal examination in one attempt and bring honor to our family.”

Hugh listened with interest and could not resist asking a question.

“But your mother holds a noble title, and your father is an official in the court, right? Your family lives comfortably and holds respectable status. Even if you never took the royal examination, Theodric would probably grant you a position out of family connection. Why force yourself like this?”

Kaelan lowered his head.

“To outsiders, our family probably does seem impressive,” he said slowly. “But my father’s position at court is mostly ceremonial. He has no real authority. My mother may carry a noble title, but her blood connection to Theodric is already several generations removed.”

His voice became quieter.

“Most of the time, Theodric probably doesn’t even remember she exists. Whenever our family

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Chapter 392 More Than One Path

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needs something done, we have to beg favors from everywhere. Sometimes we even have to ask help from people whose backgrounds are far below ours.”

He paused. “My mother… she feels humiliated by that, even if she never says it openly.”

Elowen nodded slightly. “So she hopes you’ll succeed in the royal examination and restore her pride.”

Kaelan nodded slowly. “Yes.”

Elowen studied him carefully.

“I remember that you’ve always studied diligently, and you’re quite talented. If things go normally, passing the examination shouldn’t be difficult for you.”

Kaelan gave a bitter smile. “I don’t know anymore.”

He looked exhausted.

“Sometimes I feel like I’ve already pushed myself as far as I can go. I stay awake late into the night studying. But then I wake up suddenly in the middle of the night feeling like I still haven’t done enough.”

His voice grew heavier. “I try to memorize texts over and over, but they never seem to stay my mind.”

He continued slowly, “I used to believe my essays were fairly good. But a few days ago I accidentally read something written by a scholar from a poor background.”

Kaelan’s expression darkened. “That was a truly brilliant essay. The ideas were bold, the reasoning flawless, every line powerful enough to stir the reader’s heart. When I finished reading it, I realized something.”

He lowered his head further. “What I write is a mess. I can’t even match a tenth of his skill.”

Elowen understood immediately. “You lost confidence.”

Kaelan nodded weakly. “I suppose so. That’s when I realized there will always be people far more talented than I am. My abilities aren’t special at all. I might not pass the examination.”

His voice became softer.

“But my mother has placed all her hopes on me. I live in the best courtyard in the house. I have the most attendants. Anything I ask for, she gives me.”

in

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Chapter 392 More Than One Path

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He hesitated before continuing, “And I keep thinking… if I fail, wouldn’t that mean I’ve disappointed her completely?”

Elowen understood now. He had lost confidence, yet he couldn’t let go of the burden placed on him.

That kind of struggle inside the heart could be the most destructive illness of all. By the time Kaelan finished speaking, tears filled his eyes.

He looked toward Elowen helplessly. “Your Grace… do you think I’m useless?”

He remembered the day he had once confidently told her that she could rely on him. Now the memory only filled him with embarrassment.

Elowen shook her head gently. “Of course not.”

Kaelan searched her expression anxiously. “Really?”

Elowen smiled softly.

“When I was little, I lived at Hale Manor. Back then I always felt that our home was enormous. I believed there couldn’t possibly be a larger residence anywhere.”

She continued calmly, “But later my grandfather brought me into the royal palace. Only then did I realize our home was simply a slightly larger estate.”

Kaelan listened quietly.

“For a while I thought our home was terribly small compared to the palace,” she said. “But later one of my father’s officers died in battle. I went with my father to visit his family.” Her voice softened.

“They lived outside Vanelle in two tiny thatched cottages. One of them was damaged, so whenever it rained or snowed, water leaked inside and the wind blew straight through.”

She smiled faintly. “But the officer’s two children were still laughing happily in the yard, even though their clothes were worn and patched.”

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