Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 727

Chapter 727 The Oracle of Nordia

Theodric sat alone in his study for a lofig time.

Fished

The candles gradually burned low, their wirks growing long and charred. The flickering flames cast his shadow against the wall, making it dance in the shifting light. He remained perfectly still, frozen like a

stone statue.

Only after what felt like hours did he finally speak, his voice raspy and exhausted. “Quin.”

Quin quickly pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Your Majesty‘.

The emperor rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Come. We are going to Elira’s.”

With a quick nod, Quin hurried out to prepare the carriage.

Over in Elira’s palace, most of the candles had already been extinguished.

Elira had removed her hairpins and jewelry, changing into a simple, plain nightgown. She sat before her vanity as a maid gently combed out her hair. The bronze mirror reflected a well–kept face, her features as delicate as ever, yet nothing could hide the faint trace of exhaustion beneath her eyes.

Matilda stepped inside from the outer hall. “Your Highness, His Majesty is on his way over.”

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Elira paused slightly.

Lowering her voice, Matilda added, “I expect His Majesty and Duke Cassian have finished their discussion. I heard the Duke has already left the palace.”

Elira sighed. “I wonder how it went.”

Matilda offered a small smile. “This is a matter of grave importance. Even for Duke Cassian, escaping unscathed would be impossible. He will have to pay a heavy price.”

Elira tilted her head slightly. “And yet, I haven’t heard of any official decree being issued.”

“It’s late,” Matilda explained. “Even if an order was given, it won’t be formally announced until tomorrow morning.”

Elira fell silent, glancing at her reflection in the mirror one last time.

Judging by the time, he would be here any moment. She stood up, smoothed down her gown, and walked to the palace doors to greet him.

Just as she took her place, Theodric strode in. His expression was cold and grim, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Elira’s heart sank slightly, but she maintained a flawless, graceful smile as she curtsied. “Welcome, Your Majesty.”

Theodric didn’t look at her. He marched past her straight to the head of the room and sat down.

“Everyone out. Leave me alone with Elira.”

Chapter 27 Oracle of Nordia

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Finished

At his command, the maids and attendants flooded out of the hall. The heavy doors clicked shut, leaving only the emperor and Elita in the vast, quiet palace room.

Elira wore a gentle, dutiful smile as she stepped forward to help Theodric aut of his coat.

The emperor raised a hand to stop her, his voice cool. “No need. I won’t be staying long”

Elira’s hands froze midair for a fraction of a second before she slowly drew them back. Standing before him, an inexplicable panic began to stir in her chest.

Theodric’s gaze drifted over to her, and he spoke abruptly. “So. Your people smuggled the news out of Duskmoor Manor, and you were the one who had it passed to me.”

It wasn’t a question, but a flat statement of fact. Neither of them specified what “it” was, but they both knew exactly what he meant.

Elira s fingers tightened against her sleeves. She neither denied it nor admitted to it.

Theodric kept his eyes fixed on her, his tone dropping a few degrees colder. “I used to think you were kinder and gentler than Delphine. But it seems you are no different. Just as calculating, and just as willing to use any means necessary to get what you want.”

His words were like a poisoned blade, cutting deep into Elira’s chest.

Her eyes immediately rimmed with red. She looked at him, her gaze a mix of fierce defiance and deep hurt. “Your Majesty, I did find out, and I did have the word passed to you. But I do not believe I did anything wrong. Elowen is the Oracle of Nordia. Shouldn’t Your Majesty be informed of something so significant? You call me calculating, but have I ever harmed a single woman in this palace over all these years? Never. In fact, whenever any of them faced difficulties, I was always the first to offer my full support. Your Majesty knows this well. Everything I have done recently was for Caelan, and above all, for you. My devotion to my son and to you is absolute, yet you accuse me of using any means necessary. To hear you say such things truly breaks my heart.”

As she spoke, tears began to fall, tracing dark, wet patterns onto her bodice.

Watching her weep, Theodric did not soften or relent. He simply looked at her with a flat, calm expression that held a trace of pity.

“Cassian and his wife are leaving Vanelle now. Tell me, Elira–does that absolute devotion of yours feel any better?”

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