Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 395

Chapter 395 A Mother’s Kind of Love

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By the time Elowen finished speaking, her eyes had lowered slightly, though a gentle smile lingered on her lips.

“My mother once held me in her arms and cried,” she said quietly. “I remember the tears falling onto my forehead. She told me that when she married into Hale Manor, it had nothing to do with how highly my father was regarded by Theodric, and it had nothing to do with the reputation our house carried in the eyes of the court. She married him for only one reason. She loved the man himself.”

Her voice softened, steady and sincere.

“She told me she loved my brother, and she loved me. The love she gave us never depended on anything. It came without expectations, without conditions. She loved us simply because we were her children.”

Elowen lifted her gaze again and looked directly at Aveline.

“Even if I spent my entire life unable to carry the weight of Hale Manor’s name, even if I never restored the family’s former honor, I would still be her daughter in her heart. She would love me just the same.”

Moisture shimmered in Aveline’s eyes.

After a moment she let out a quiet breath. “Your mother must have loved you very deeply.”

Elowen’s smile warmed slightly. “Don’t you love Kaelan the same way?”

The words struck Aveline like a sudden gust of wind. Her whole body stiffened.

Elowen’s voice remained calm and patient.

“Isn’t Kaelan facing the same kind of struggle I once did?”

Aveline parted her lips as if to answer. Yet something seemed to lodge in her throat. No words

came out.

Without noticing when it had happened, the two of them had already walked all the way to the gates.

Elowen paused at the entrance and spoke gently, “Well then, I should be heading back now. If there’s anything you want to ask me later, you can always come find me at Duskmoor Manor.”

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Chapter 395 A Mother’s Kind of Love

Aveline’s thoughts were tangled and unsettled. She nodded almost absentmindedly.

“Yes. Of course. Travel safely.”

Elowen returned the nod with a light smile and stepped into the waiting carriage.

The carriage bearing the crest of Duskmoor Manor soon rolled away from the gates.

Aveline remained where she stood, watching it disappear down the road.

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A moment later an elderly maid approached from behind and lowered her head respectfully.

“Your Grace, earlier you sent word inviting Edmund to come today if he had time, so he could continue the young master’s lessons. A reply just arrived. He says he is free this afternoon and can come over.”

Ordinarily Aveline would have arranged everything at once with clear delight. Yet now Elowen’s words continued to echo in her mind.

Along with them came the image of Kaelan’s pale and fragile face, drained of vitality.

She stood there for a long moment before drawing a slow breath.

“Kaelan is already in such poor health. What good would a lesson do him right now?” she said quietly. “Send word to Edmund and thank him for his trouble. Tell him Kaelan needs quiet rest for the time being, and that I will visit him personally another day to offer my gratitude.”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“As for the lessons, we will wait until Kaelan’s health improves. When the time comes, I will ask

what he wants to do.”

The maid blinked in surprise.

Then a look of relief spread across her face, and she nodded eagerly. “Yes, Your Grace. I will deliver the message right away.”

Watching the maid hurry off with visible cheer, Aveline could not help smiling faintly herself.

The Duchess of Duskmoor’s given name was Elowen.

The first time Aveline had heard it, she had thought it rather unusual.

Most noble families preferred names that sounded soft and refined for their daughters, something graceful and traditionally elegant.

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Chapter 395 A Mother’s Kind of Love

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Yet after the conversation she had just shared with her, Aveline found herself reconsidering.

The name suited her remarkably well.

There was something steady about Elowen, something quietly reassuring.

Maybe that’s exactly what my son needs.

After leaving manor, the carriage moved back into the lively streets of Vanelle.

The Christmas had already passed, and the city had returned to its usual rhythm. Market stalls lined the streets once again, and the air buzzed with the sounds of merchants advertising their goods.

Elowen lifted the embroidered curtain beside the carriage window and looked outside with quiet curiosity.

Her gaze wandered across the rows of shops.

When Elowen caught sight of the familiar sign of a pastry shop, a thought crossed her mind.

She leaned slightly forward and spoke to the driver.

“There’s no need to hurry back just yet. Take us to Cloudmere Lane first.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the driver replied as he guided the carriage into another street.

Cloudmere Lane remained one of the busiest districts in Vanelle. Carriages passed constantly, and the street was crowded with pedestrians.

Before long the carriage came to a halt in front of a confectioner’s shop.

The establishment belonged to Elowen’s second aunt, Eudora Smith. 2

As Elowen stepped down from the carriage, her gaze drifted toward the shop beside it. She paused in mild surprise.

The jewelry store that had once stood there was gone. In its place stood a newly opened bookshop.

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