Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 720

Chapter 720 Hale Is an Excellent Surname

For a long time, Irisquldn’t find her voice. Her eyes stung as they slowly filled with tears.

Caelan smiled gently. “Why are you crying now?”

Iris bit her lip. “I’m not…”

*

Overjoyed, he leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

Iris stared at him for a moment before wrapping her arms around his waist of her own accord. It wasn’t that she had never done this before, but in the past, it had always been an act, a piece of seduction. Tonight, it came entirely from the heart.

Figh

Caelan held her close, holding her naturally as he whispered, “All right, let’s get some sleep.”

Iris murmured an agreement and closed her eyes in his embrace.

The moonlight drifted through the window lattices, draping over them like a thin veil. Wrapped in his warmth, Iris let down her guard and stripped away her armor for the first time in her life, drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep.

A few days later, an imperial decree sent shockwaves through all of Vanelle.

The Emperor had ordered that Caelan’s secondary consort, Iris, be elevated to primary consort. She was to be granted the surname “Hale,” entered into the royal registry, and afforded all the rights and privileges of her new rank.

The sudden announcement set off a flurry of gossip throughout the court. Some praised Caelan’s devotion, while others murmured that it breached protocol, but with the decree already issued, no one dared speak out openly.

Yet, few knew that it was actually Elowen who had suggested granting Iris the name, Hale.

That day, Elowen had gone to the palace to pay her respects to the Emperor. Upon entering the study, she happened across Caelan kneeling on the floor, earnestly pleading with his majesty to appoint Iris as his primary consort.

The Emperor had pondered in silence for a long time, his eyes searching Caelan’s face, before finally relenting. “Her birth is too low; making her a primary consort goes against protocol. I will grant your request, but she has been a servant for many years and has a given name but no family name. I must bestow a surname upon her to elevate her status.”

Overjoyed, Caelan bowed repeatedly in gratitude.

The Emperor tossed out a few names, but none seemed quite right.

Watching from the side, Elowen smiled warmly. “Your Majesty, why not let her take my name, Hale? I may not amount to much myself, but my father and brother have certainly proven their merit on the battlefield. Besides, Hale has a nice ring to it.”

The Emperor caught himself, then smiled. He looked at Elowen for a poignant moment before nodding.

Chapter 726 frole is an Excellent Surname

Fry well. Fris Hale. It has a good ring to it. I approve”

Once everything was serted, Elowerrand Caclan walked out of the study together.

Caelan turned to her, his voice low. “Elowen, I know you came to the palare today mostly because of Iris’s pregnancy, but I have a favor to ask. When you see her later, please don’t mention the decree just yet?

Elowen arched an eyebrow. “You want to surprise her?”

With the tips of his ears turning a faint pink, Caclan nodded. He paused for a moment before adding quietly, “It’s just that… even though Iris married me and is always sweet and gentle, I still feel like there’s a thin weil between us. I can reach out and touch her, but I can’t quite see her true feelings. I keep hoping that if I treat her well-if I’m just a little better to her-I’ll finally be able to understand her completely.

Elowen fell silent for a moment, then patted the back of his hand.”Of course I won’t say anything: you have my word. But if you want my advice on the matter, I’ll tell you this: between husband and wife, sincerity is what matters most. Give her your whole heart, and it will be returned to you.”

Caelan bowed. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

True to her promise, Elowen didn’t say a word about the decree when she saw Iris later. She knew, however, that the news would bring Iris immense joy. Happiness had a way of melting the coldest armor, and she was sure Iris would gradually open her heart and let Caelan in.

By the time the official announcement of Iris’s elevation swept through the city, Elowen was in the back room of the Silverloom Exchange, reviewing the ledgers with Scarlet and Finn at her side.

Scarlet couldn’t hide the grin tugging at her lips. “Well, Your Grace, it looks like you’ll have even more influential people in your corner now.”

Elowen smiled and nodded.

Scarlet stole a glance at her, then murmured, “Come to think of it, Your Grace, I don’t have a surname either.”

Elowen tilted her head, looking at her.

Without beating around the bush, Scarlet said bluntly, “Back at the Stargazer Pavilion, the boss just tossed the name Scarlet at me. No family name, and no one ever bothered to ask.”

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