Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45 A Trap Sprung

Chapter 45 A Trap Sprung

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A nearby lady-in-waiting hurried forward to steady her.

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Maerwyn watched her mother’s unsteady retreat with a flicker of worry, but it was quickly smothered by a surge of glee.

As soon as Isla was out of sight, Maerwyn began counting on her fingers, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.

Just a little while longer, and I’ll lead everyone to witness the scandal!

Elowen was seated on a stone bench in the palace’s rear colonnade. Mira stood beside her, gently fanning her with a silk fan.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Elowen looked up to see Isla, her steps faltering, her cheeks tinged with an unnatural pink.

Elowen rose and approached, her face a mask of concern. “Your Majesty, are you quite alright?”

“A bit too much wine, nothing serious,” Isla managed, her mind still clinging to a thread of clarity.

She glanced behind Elowen. “Wasn’t Autumn supposed to be with you? Where is she?”

Elowen’s expression didn’t waver. “I sent her to fetch a sobering draught from the royal physician.”

Something felt off to Isla. But her head felt stuffed with wool-swollen, dizzy. A strange, insistent heat was beginning to prickle beneath her skin, making coherent thought difficult.

She swallowed, her hand unconsciously tugging at the high neckline of her gown.

“You seem unwell,” Elowen said, her voice soft with feigned worry. “Perhaps you should rest in the antechamber. Autumn should return with the draught soon.”

Dazed, Isla could only nod. Supported by her lady-in-waiting, she turned toward the side

chamber.

Behind them, Elowen’s composed expression hardened slightly.

Earlier, when no one was watching, she had switched their goblets.

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12:41 Thu, Feb 12 A

Chapter 45 A Trap Sprung

The wine Elowen had drunk was perfectly fine.

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The wine Isla had consumed was the one Maerwyn had tampered with.

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Maerwyn’s willful, domineering nature was, in large part, a product of Isla’s indulgence.

Time and again, no matter the offense, Isla had covered for her, meting out no real punishment.

In Elowen’s past life, even after the truth of Maerwyn’s plot had come to light, Isla had only offered a token reprimand. Not even a confinement to quarters.

couldn’t you

Instead, she had turned the blame on Elowen: “How could you not even know what you were drinking? Besides, it was only some aphrodisiac wine. The body is your own control yourself?”

Now, watching Isla’s retreating back, Elowen thought coldly. Your turn now, Your Majesty. Do you know what you just drank? Is your own body under your control?

“Let’s go,” Elowen said quietly to Mira.

She did not return to the Gilded Hall. Instead, she turned toward the heart of the palace.

This way

led to Theodric’s study.

Halfway there, however, she came face-to-face with a familiar, and utterly unwelcome, figure -Alaric.

Without a second thought, Elowen moved to step around him and continue on her way.

Alaric’s brow furrowed. He raised an arm, blocking her path. “Stop.”

Elowen turned her face to the side, refusing to meet his gaze directly.

He looked down at her, his eyes inscrutable. “I’ve just come from Father. I hear Uncle Cassian is fully awake now?”

Elowen gave a slight nod. “So you’d do well not to offend me. My husband would not take it kindly.”

A low, derisive laugh escaped Alaric. “Husband? You speak as if he dotes on you. If that were true, why didn’t he accompany you to the birthday banquet today?”

Elowen remained unruffled. “He has important matters of his own to attend to.”

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Chapter 45 A Trap Sprung

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“Fool,” Alaric sneered. “You understand nothing of men. He didn’t accompany you because, in his eyes, his affairs are more important than you are. My uncle already has someone in his heart. Do you truly believe that person is you?”

He didn’t wait for a reply. “And you, wielding your new title like a bludgeon, humiliating others at the palace gates-if word of that reaches my uncle, he will despise you for it.”

Elowen knew it. He had swallowed Daphne’s twisted version of events whole.

Just as he always had in the past.

Her expression cooled several degrees. “Whether he likes me or hates me is a matter between husband and wife. Not your concern. Now, move aside. I need to see His Majesty.”

The words “husband and wife” grated on Alaric’s ears like shards of glass.

His jaw tightened. He took a sudden, aggressive step toward her, his voice dropping. “You marred my uncle, and yet you carry on with Piers? If my uncle learns of this, he will not spare you!”

Elowen nodded absently. “Mm-hmm. Noted. I’m terrified.”

But her tone and the detached look on her face made it clear his words held no weight with her.

The dismissiveness only fueled Alaric’s agitation.

Elowen arched a brow. “Now, can you move?”

He stood his ground, his gaze boring into her. “Elowen, don’t think I don’t know! You’re hiding a man at Duskmoor Manor!”

Elowen paused, genuinely taken aback for a moment.

So much had happened these last two days, she’d totally forgotten about that stable boy!

If Alaric knows… that has Marwen and Vivian’s meddling written all over it. I’ll settle that score later.

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