Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80 I Saw Elowen!

“Would you prefer to dine in the tavern, or on the water?” Cassian asked.

“The tavern!” Elowen answered without hesitation.

“Alright.”

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Cassian’s gaze shifted to the now-chastened servant, who scurried off to make arrangements.

He ran into the tavern manager, who hissed at him, “I told you! His Highness is here! No outsiders! What are you doing?”

The servant looked miserable. “Manager, not outsiders. It’s the Duke and Duchess of Duskmoor…”

The manager froze, his voice dropping to a tremble. “The Duke… Duke Cassian is here? Hurry! The finest wine, the best dishes! Immediately!”

The servant wiped his brow. “Yes, sir!”

The manager wrung his hands, a mix of terror and excitement warring within him.

A Crown Prince was one thing, but the Duke of Duskmoor? One was more formidable than the

other.

If he could please them, especially the Duke, his fortune was made!

Due to Cassian’s wheelchair, they were seated in a private room on the ground floor.

Bran wheeled Cassian in first, with Elowen following.

This entrance was witnessed by a young nobleman returning from the privy to his party upstairs.

He didn’t see Cassian at the front, only Elowen entering behind. And he recognized her.

He hurried back to his private room on the second floor, a conspiratorial grin on his face. He sidled up to Cedric. “Cedric, guess who I just saw?”

Cedric was busy lavishing praise on the guest of honor, Alaric, and was impatient. “The place is cleared out. Who could you possibly see? Don’t bug me.”

The young man chuckled, “I saw Elowen!”

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12:57 Thu, Feb 12 A

Chapter 80 I Saw Elowen!

His voice carried. Cedric heard. So did Daphne, and so did Alaric.

Alaric’s brow furrowed.

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Daphne raised a hand to her lips. “Oh my, could it be Elowen heard His Highness was here and followed him?”

Alaric remained silent.

Daphne sighed delicately, “His Highness even cleared the venue to prevent such intrusions. She must have used her status as Duchess of Duskmoor to force her way in. The poor servants couldn’t stop her…”

Alaric still didn’t speak.

He hadn’t cleared the venue to keep Elowen out, but to avoid gossip about him being seen alone with Daphne.

To him, Daphne lacked Elowen’s striking beauty; she was merely pleasant-looking.

But she was Azure, her family was acceptable, and his father was pushing. So here he was.

What he hadn’t anticipated was Cedric inviting his friends along. He’d been annoyed since their arrival.

As he heard Elowen was here, a strange, unexpected thrill of anticipation stirred in his chest.

“Your Highness,” Cedric offered, puffing out his chest, “allow me to take a couple of men and escort her out. She won’t disturb you and Daphne.”

Alaric glanced at him. “You?”

Cedric smirked, “Elowen sees me as her brother. She’ll listen to me.”

But Alaric didn’t want Elowen to leave. He wanted to see why she was here. Would she seek him out?

With that thought, his lips moved. “Leave her be.”

Cedric looked puzzled. “Why?”

Another young nobleman at the table snickered, “Could it be Your Highness is worried about her getting her feelings hurt?”

Alaric’s face darkened instantly.

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Chapter 80 I Saw Elowen!

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Cedric shot the man a warning glare. “Don’t talk nonsense! His Highness has no feelings for her! Why would he care?”

Alaric’s expression was cold. “Her feelings are of no concern to me. But she is married to my uncle now. If she feels slighted, she’ll complain to him. I’d rather not displease my uncle.”

Daphne looked at Alaric with wide, understanding eyes. “Exactly. Your Highness and the Duke are uncle and nephew, with the closest bond. In the future, when Your Highness ascends, the Duke will be your staunchest supporter. Women can be so jealous. It would be a shame if an outsider damaged that precious family tie.”

Cedric snorted in agreement, “That’s why choosing a wife is so crucial! Marry the wrong one, like that Elowen, and your household will be in turmoil. My sister is the best-gentle, virtuous, perfect for managing a home and supporting her husband.”

Alaric offered no opinion on that.

Daphne allowed a shy, pleased smile to touch her lips.

Another young man at the table suddenly spoke up, sounding confused, “But wasn’t Elowen’s marriage to the Duke arranged by His Majesty? By that logic, doesn’t that mean His Majesty set the Duke up?”

Daphne’s smile faltered for a split second.

Alaric shot the speaker a sharp, displeased look.

The young man belatedly realized his blunder and clapped a hand over his mouth.

Cedric quickly tried to smooth things over with a forced laugh. “Alright, alright, enough of that! Let’s just enjoy our meal.”

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