Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Poisoned Wine

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Back in the day, Tales of Luminara had taken Vanelle by storm, sparking a frenzy among the

noblewomen, many of whom revered the mysterious Azure as a genius. None more so than Maerwyn.

After finishing Tales of Luminara, Azure had vanished without a trace.

It was said Maerwyn had even shed secret tears over the disappearance.

Hearing it was the original manuscript, Maerwyn was electrified. She shot to her feet. “Quick! Bring it here at once!”

The maid presented the volume. Maerwyn took it with reverent hands, stroking the cover. “Azure’s own handwriting…”

She opened it. The page revealed an elegant, flowing script.

Maerwyn froze for a second, struck by a strange sense of familiarity. At a glance, it looked almost like…

Elowen’s writing?!

The thought startled even her. She shot a quick glance at Elowen, her mind racing.

How could she possibly be Azure? A woman like her, writing such inspired tales? Impossible!

With a derisive snort, she dismissed the absurd idea.

“Lady Daphne really knows how to pick a gift and how to give one,” Maerwyn huffed, sliding Elowen a sidelong look. “Not like some people…”

Her voice was pitched just loud enough to carry.

Elowen looked up, a pleasant smile on her face. “What was that, dear niece? Are you saying you don’t care for the books I gave you?”

“I-” Maerwyn began, the insult already forming on her tongue.

But then she caught her mother’s gaze. Isla’s eyes held a heavy, unmistakable disapproval.

Maerwyn choked back the words, her face contorting. She forced a different tone. “I… I need some air.”

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12:41 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 43 Poisoned Wine

She clutched Tales of Luminara to her chest and stalked out, frustration in every step.

Daphne shot a look at Elowen and followed.

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Truth be told, Maerwyn didn’t like Daphne much. Few people in the world met her standards -basically just her father, mother, brother, and Azure.

…And her uncle, Cassian.

Though “met her standards” wasn’t the right phrase for him. Regarding Cassian, Maerwyn felt only bottomless dread.

In short, she’d always looked down on Daphne. But today, gifted with the precious manuscript, Maerwyn was in a lenient mood and didn’t immediately send her away.

“Your Highness, please don’t be too upset,” Daphne murmured softly as they walked. “Lady Elowen has just married into such a lofty position. It’s only natural she’d become a bit full of herself.”

Maerwyn just snorted.

Daphne watched her carefully. “Though, given how familiar she is with so many gentlemen, such a. free-spirited nature, I can’t imagine the Duke of Duskmoor would—”

“Oh, shut up!” Maerwyn cut her off irritably. “You kept hinting that Elowen and Piers were having an affair, that she was late because she was meeting him secretly. And what was the truth? She was with my father! Do you have any idea how humiliating that was in front of my mother just now?”

Daphne blinked, then forced a placating smile. “But, Your Highness, whether she truly saw the King or not… that’s merely her word, isn’t it?”

Maerwyn couldn’t be bothered to argue.

She couldn’t exactly go and interrogate her father.

Daphne sighed, as if speaking to herself. “If only one could catch her in the act with another man-that would settle things.”

Maerwyn suddenly stopped and turned to look at her, a new light in her eyes.

Back in the hall, not long after, servants entered bearing wine.

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12:41 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 43 Poisoned Wine

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A delicate, ornate carafe was placed on each table, its rich, heady aroma quickly filling the Gilded Hall.

Maerwyn returned shortly after.

Elowen glanced up and saw that the sullen, stifled anger from before had completely vanished. In its place was a smile of sure victory.

From across the room, Maerwyn’s gaze met hers, glittering with a barely-contained excitement laced with unmistakable malice.

The expression was a perfect match for the one from her

past

life.

A cold weight settled in Elowen’s stomach.

Last time, Maerwyn hated her for trying to marry Alaric.

She had secretly plotted, drugging the wine.

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