Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76 Echoes of the Past

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Seline’s temper flared. “Why are you always contradicting me? Have you been the Hales’ lackey for so long you can’t stand to see your own daughter succeed?”

“How dare you! Who’s a lackey?” Galen’s face flushed with anger.

“Who else?”

Seline sniffed, then turned a beaming, proud smile on Daphne. “My good girl, I’ll take you to buy new gowns this afternoon.”

Her eyes swept over her daughter critically, and she frowned. “Though you do look a bit plump. No supper for you tonight. And nothing tomorrow either. Only water. You’ll keep that

until the boating trip.”

up

Daphne stared. “Nothing at all?”

Galen sputtered, “Are you trying to starve her to death?”

Seline rolled her eyes. “What do you know? A few hours of hunger won’t kill anyone! A slimmer figure looks more graceful. The Crown Prince will be more taken with her!”

Galen still disapproved. “Elowen was always slender as a reed. Didn’t make His Highness favor her.”

“That was Elowen’s fault!” Seline’s voice rose. “How could she compare to our daughter? All she knew was how to get into trouble! My girl is refined, cultured, and talented! Having her eat less is for her own good! Do you think I’d harm my own child?”

Daphne stepped in to smooth things over. “It’s alright, Father. Missing a meal or two won’t

hurt.”

She turned a sweet, determined smile on her mother. “I’ll do my very best, Mother. I’ll make sure His Highness has eyes for no one else! I won’t be less than Elowen!”

…

The current weather was unsuitable for planting vegetables; anything sown would likely wither

in the heat.

So, the vegetable garden idea was tabled for the moment.

Furnishing the rooms took priority.

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Chapter 76 Echoes of the Past

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The furniture Cassian ordered was of the finest quality, not all available in Vanelle, requiring shipment from elsewhere.

While the items were in transit, Cassian had the rooms emptied, the windows enlarged for better light, and the walls freshly painted and whitewashed.

Elowen, claiming to oversee the work, mostly stayed in the shaded corridor, sipping cool minted pea broth.

Cassian, meanwhile, spent the afternoon quietly in his study, finishing Tales of Luminara and learning a thing or two about “wooing a wife.”

At dinner, Elowen asked, “My lord, where will we go the day after tomorrow to pay our respects to General Ashcroft?”

“East of the city,” Cassian replied. “Near Miren Lake. There’s a wooded hillside by the lake where many fallen soldiers are buried.”

He paused, a thought occurring to him. “I’ve heard a new lakeside tavern opened there recently. They offer pleasure boats. After we pay our respects, we could go for a boat ride.”

The suggestion of a boat ride was inspired by a scene in Tales of Luminara where the protagonists drifted on a river at night.

Luminara, slightly intoxicated, had looped her arms around Alrik’s neck, risen on her toes, and initiated a kiss.

The scene was vividly, sensually written and had left a deep impression on Cassian.

The thought of Elowen initiating a kiss…

Cassian didn’t dare dwell on it. Even the idea made his heart race.

But a boat ride together on the lake was undeniably romantic.

Hearing the name “Miren Lake,” however, gave Elowen a start.

In her past life, she had gone to Miren Lake. For a boat ride.

It was mere days after Maerwyn’s birthday feast. In the wake of the foul frame-up, Alaric had shunned her entirely-refusing all meetings, all words.

Theodric, catching wind of the bitter rift between them, proposed a day of leisure to mend their bond, and the spot he chose for it was a gentle boating excursion upon Miren Lake.

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Chapter 76 Echoes of the Past

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She had

gone with Alaric. They encountered the Garrett siblings there-Daphne and her brother, Cedric Galen.

Elowen had overheard Cedric slandering her own brother. Without a second thought, she marched over and flung a cup of wine in his face.

A scene erupted. Alaric arrived, and in front of everyone, he chastised her for causing trouble. “Why can’t you be more sensible, like Daphne?” he had demanded.

She could never forget the humiliating heat on her face or Cedric’s gloating smirk.

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