Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 726

Chapter 726 Safe Travels

Finished

Cassian straightened his back meeting Theodric’s gaze. “I know my presence has caused you a great deal of trouble. Your Majesty. Tommand the military, I have allies in court, and I hold the respect of the people. Even if I do absolutely nothing, simply standing here makes people uneasy. It makes you uneasy, it makes the Crown Prince uneasy, and it makes the ministers uneasy. As long as I remain in Vanelle, you will never be able to govern in peace, and the Crown Prince will never feel secure in his position. I don’t want to be a source of anxiety for you, nor do I want to hold the Prince back. That’s why Ella and I decided to leave a long time ago. She is just too kind-hearted, she wanted to make sure everyone around her was taken care of first. But now that Scarlet and Draven are married and the Silverloom Exchange is up and running, her mind is finally at ease. I can finally take her and the children away from Vanelle.”

The Emperor sat in silence, looking at his brother with a conflicted gaze.

His throat tightened, and when he spoke, his voice was thick. “Where?”

“We plan on going to Nordia,” Cassian replied.

Theodric’s eyes widened slightly. “Nordia?”

Cassian nodded. “Ella’s grandmother is there. She’s never met her, and she wants to visit. I also want to take her horse riding on the plains.”

Hearing this, a sudden wave of bitterness and sorrow washed over the Emperor. He stared at the unmistakable tenderness on Cassian’s face, remaining quiet for a long moment before speaking in a low voice. “Poppy and Phoenix are still so young. A journey that long won’t be easy on them.”

Cassian smiled gently. “I’ll take good care of them. So will Ella. You don’t need to worry, Your Majesty. If you ever miss me-or more importantly, if you miss the children-I’ll bring them back to visit regularly.”

Theodric knew perfectly well that once Cassian left, there was no telling when he might return. Yet he also knew that Cassian had no choice but to go. In fact, if Cassian hadn’t brought it up himself, Theodric would have eventually had to order them to leave Vanelle. Caelan was now the officially named Crown Prince, and the court demanded stability. Cassian simply commanded too much influence and power; keeping him here served no one.

Still, there was a world of difference between him enforcing the exile and Cassian volunteering to go. If the order came from the throne, it would be a banishment born of suspicion, a bitter fracture between brothers. But with Cassian suggesting it, it became an act of understanding, a sacrifice made for the greater good.

Theodric thought back to his own words just moments ago-the interrogation, the shouting, the accusations that Cassian didn’t view him as a true brother. Suddenly, he felt entirely unworthy of being an older brother.

“Your Majesty?”

Cassian spoke up again, his tone cautious. “Is there anything else you wish to know? If not, I should head back Your sudden summons tonight caught me completely off guard, and I rushed right out. Ella is still at the estate, and she won’t be able to sleep peacefully until I return.”

Theodric stared at him for a moment without replying, then finally stood up.

4:36 pm Pp.

Chapter 726 Safe Travels

Finished

He walked over to Cassian and reached out, pulling his younger brother up from the floor. “Cassian… I could never have reached where I am today without your help. You are a great hero of Avenlor, and you are my flesh and blood. Every bit of favor and every reward I’ve given you over the years was entirely earned. If anything, I always felt it wasn’t enough.”

Cassian’s smile was bright and genuine. The best reward you ever gave me wasn’t an estate, a title, or piles of gold and silver, Your Majesty. The greatest gift you gave me was marrying Ella to me.”

Theodric raised an eyebrow slightly.

Cassian’s smile widened. “If you hadn’t decreed our marriage, I never would have been able to call Ella my wife. Your Majesty, I would gladly lay down my life for you.” He paused, then added with a soft chuckle, “Though I’d prefer to stay alive. If I died, it would break Ella’s heart, and the last thing I ever want to do is cause her sorrow.”

Theodric blinked in surprise, then let out a laugh. He felt a profound sense of relief, mixed with a faint, quiet envy.

“Why would I ever ask you to die?” Theodric squeezed Cassian’s hand tightly. “You’re the only brother I have left. Beyond our roles as sovereign and subject, we are brothers first. I was just…”

I was just afraid.

Afraid that your achievements would eclipse the throne, afraid that you would one day threaten Caelan. He wasn’t just a brother; he was the ruler of an entire empire. He had no choice.

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