Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 654

Chapter 654 The Blossom He Waited For

Tamsin gave a reluctant hum

“It’s still not perfect, but Lady Elira wants refreshments immediately, so this will do for now.”

Iris lifted her eyes slightly “Then should bring it in?”

Tamsin immediately shot her a sharp glare.

45 Pearls

“What would I need you for? Do you think one tray is enough for the entire reception? Stay here and prepare another bar

ver this one myself.”

Iris paused fain

From the

Fortu

S

ng, Caelan had likely arrived.

re to see him anyway.

pediently. “All right. Whatever you say.”

ur place.”

ray with obvious satisfaction bef

isappeared did Iris sit back do

other piece of charcoal to the

ater began bubbling softly

etly on the low stool,

ow the duchess is d

still remember

alread

acefully toward the front courtyard.

sh kettle with water, and set it over the fire.

led upward into the warm spring sunlight.

eam without really seeing it.

slightly.

chess of Duskmoor?”

nded from behind her right shoulder.

y toward the sound but found no one there.

me from the opposite direction.

the edge of richly embroidered robes.

pward until she found Carl

the table, lifting the lid from the pot to

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Chapter 654 The Blossom He Waited For

inhale the aroma.

“Now that smells good, he said approvingly before glancing back at her with a smile. “The moment I caught the scent, I knew you made it.”

Iris’s heart tightened instantly.

Pearls

She rose to her feet at once and used the motion of bowing as an excuse to take two subtle steps backward, carefully widening the distance between them.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Caelan noticed the retreat immediately.

w

One brow lifted slightly as he replaced the lid and straightened. “Are you afraid of me?”

Iris answered calmly and respectfully.

“You are a prince of the realm, Your Highness. Naturally I should show proper respect.”

45

Caelan laughed softly.

“You really do know how to talk your way around everything. Every answer sounds flawless. You’re clearly trying to avoid me, and somehow nobody can accuse you of being rude.”

Iris merely pressed her lips together without speaking.

Caelan leaned casually against the stone table, looking/far too relaxed.

“If you’re really this clever, though, how are you still letting yourself get pushed around?”

Iris looked up in confusion, uncertain what he meant.

Caelan continued leisurely.

“When the Duchess of Duskmoor asked my mother to transfer you here, Mother may not have assigned you any important duries, but she certainly never intended for you to spend your days hidden away in the rear courtyard preparing drinks. Earlier, I asked Tamsin where you were. Do you know what she told me?”

Iris silently guessed the answer already.

Most likely that she was lazy, constantly avoiding work, and had disappeared somewhere again.

Caelan continued slowly.

“She said you were always slacking off and impossible to find whenever there was work to do. Then she added that since you were personally brought here by Lady Elira, she didn’t dare criticize you too harshly and could only tolerate your behavior. After that, she invited me to sample the drinks.”

His eyes settled steadily on Iris.

“The moment I tasted it, I knew you were the one who prepared it. I’ve had Tamsin’s mulled wine before, and it’s nowhere near this refined. Even if she practiced for another month, she wouldn’t suddenly

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Chapter 654 The Blossom He Waited For

improve this much overnight.”

+5 Fearis

Iris answered quietly, once served in the Crown Prince’s Wing, so naturally my position is sensitive. Tamsin keeps me working in the rear courtyard and away from attention because she’s trying to protect me. I’m very grateful for that consideration.”

She sounded entirely sincere.

Caelan laughed outright.

“You can tell that story to me if you want, but don’t start convincing yourself it’s true too.”

Iris’s lashes trembled faintly.

Meanwhile, Caelan seemed to be in an unusually good mood. Gathering his robes, he sat down directly on the small stool where Iris had been sitting moments earlier.

“You don’t need to worry,” he said casually. “Tamsin’s already been punished.”

Iris froze.

Caelan continued unhurriedly.

“I praised the drinks and asked how she prepared them, but her answers were full of holes. Mother only listened for a few moments before realizing she was taking credit for someone else’s work, so she ordered Tamsin back to her chambers to reflect on her behavior.”

Instead of relief, however, Iris frowned slightly.

He’s only made things worse for me.

Caelan suddenly turned toward her fully.

“Iris, when I invited you to become one of my advisors before, I meant it sincerely. I told you that if you

my

mother’s residence.” were willing, all you had to do was leave a peach blossom outside

His voice lowered slightly.

“Every single day, I checked those doors myself. I watched the blossoms open, I watched them fall. From late spring into early summer, I waited for that flower from you. But even after the very last peach blossom in the palace had withered away, I never found the one you were supposed to leave.”

Iris stayed silent.

Caclan continued quietly.

“Later, when everything happened at the Crown Prince’s Wing. I assumed you’d be caught in the disaster too, so I went looking for you. But Mother had already moved faster than I had and transferred you here before I arrived. I never once mentioned you to her before that day. When I finally asked why she had done it, that was when I learned the truth.”

His gaze rested steadily on her.

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Chapter 654 The Blossom He Waited For

That was also the day I realized you chose the Duchess of Duskmoor over me.”

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