Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 Doubts and a Gift

While the physician examined Elowen’s injuries, Cassian exited the bedchamber.

A man in dark attire knelt silently at his feet.

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In addition to the two visible guards assigned to Elowen, Cassian had also dispatched a shadow guard to follow her discreetly, meant for her protection.

He hadn’t anticipated the incident with Alaric.

Cassian knew of Elowen’s past with Alaric. He knew she was supposed to marry into the Crown Prince’s Wing.

He just didn’t know what twist of fate had brought her to Duskmoor Manor instead.

When Alaric entered the chamber today, the way he looked at Elowen-yeah, that was a man still in love.

And Elowen? When Cassian had asked about her injury, she had started to say ‘no.’ She had intended to hide it.

So, what had passed between them?

Did Elowen regret becoming the Duchess? Or did Alaric pine for her day and night?

A restless irritation coiled within him.

“You followed the Duchess all day?” Cassian asked, his voice low.

“Yes, Your Grace,” the shadow guard answered.

Cassian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “When she sneaked off to see the Crown Prince, what did she say?”

Beside him, Bran looked startled. He couldn’t help but ask, “Your Grace, you don’t trust Her Grace?”

Cassian didn’t even glance at him. “Haven’t you heard? She once injured her knee so severely saving the Crown Prince that she was bedridden for over a fortnight.”

Bran, not being from Vanelle, was hearing this for the first time.

He rubbed his hands together awkwardly. “But that was the past, wasn’t it? Her knee healed.

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12:44 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 53 Doubts and a Gift

People grow apart, become strangers.”

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He had witnessed the last visit from the Crown Prince. Elowen’s annoyance had been palpable.

Cassian’s expression remained impassive, clearly unconvinced.

Bran stole another look at him. “Besides, Your Grace, you’re handsome, powerful, favored by the King-why would she prefer the Crown Prince over you?”

Cassian frowned deeply. He turned to look at Bran. “You…”

Bran waited, expecting him to say, “You have a point!”

Instead, Cassian’s face was etched with suspicion. “You sure you’re not into men?”

Bran stared, baffled. What?

Even the kneeling shadow guard couldn’t help but glance up.

Bran took three rapid steps backward. “I am not! Absolutely not! A gross misunderstanding, Your Grace!”

Cassian studied him for a moment, saw no signs of deceit, and finally looked away. “You’d better not be.”

His gaze turned cold again. “Before I fell into that coma, I heard she frequented the Crown Prince’s Wing. I wake up, and she’s married into this manor, eager to sever ties with him. Does that not strike you as odd? What if she and the Crown Prince had a lovers’ quarrel, and in a fit of pique, she married me? And now she regrets it? Where does that leave me?”

Bran ventured cautiously, “If that were true, would you seek an annulment, Your Grace?”

The word “annulment” grated on Cassian’s ears.

He frowned but didn’t answer, gesturing instead for the shadow guard to proceed.

The guard obeyed.

Starting from the moment Elowen encountered Alaric, he recounted every detail-their movements, expressions, words, even mimicking their tones with eerie accuracy.

Cassian listened, his brow furrowing deeper with each sentence.

“If I harbored feelings for you, wouldn’t I treat a man who resembles you like a treasure? Why would I have him shoveling manure in the stables?”

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12:44 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 53 Doubts and a Gift

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“My admiration for the Duke of Duskmoor is genuine. Marrying him was a considered choice, never a whim.”

“Nonsense! The sight of you disgusts me! How could I possibly regret anything? I’m overjoyed you’re no longer clinging to me!”

By the end, Cassian raised a hand to press against his temple.

He had wronged her.

He truly had…

But since when had she decided she wanted to marry him?

A “considered choice”? What exactly had she considered?

The shadow guard fell silent when he finished. Bran didn’t dare say a word either.

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