Pausing for a second, she continued, “Ronan abandoned Flowira to claim the title of Archduke’s heir. Malkor didn’t despise him for being ungrateful; he saw it as proof of his own blood. To Malkor, power trumps love every time.”
Beside her, Flowira’s face paled slightly, though she showed no deep heartache.
Elowen pressed on, “So when you approach him, don’t look like a love-struck fool. Make him/realize that showing your face at the Crimson Lantern last night exposed your wolf emblem. You aren’t begging for s mercy-you’re warning him that disowning you creates a bigger scandal.”
Thomas nodded softly.
“Once he buys your story and welcomes you as his son, that’s when you ask to inspect the Crimson Lantern. The excuse is simple: you want to see House Harrow’s true assets and prove you’re worthy of the heir’s seat.”
After a long silence. Thomas finally said, “I understand.”
Elowen shook her head, “I doubt you truly do.”
Thomas looked up.
Elowen said, “When you see Samantha, you cannot acknowledge her.”
Thomas’s breath caught in his throat.
Elowen’s voice turned cold, almost merciless, “At least while inside that brothel, you can’t show her an ounce of favor or special treatment. Do so, and you’ll get her killed alongside yourself.”
Thomas turned paper white. It took seconds for him to force a single word past his gritted teeth. “Fine.”
Right then, a guard entered to report. “Your Highness, Ronan has awakened.”
Flowira’s fingertips quivered.
Valessa’s face darkened, “Perfect timing.”
Elowen glanced at Thomas, “Let’s move.”
Thomas blinked, “Me too?”
Elowen smirked, “Aren’t you learning how to be Malkor’s son? Might as well inspect his other one.”
Down in the secret chamber, Ronan was awake.
Bound tightly to the cot, his lips were cracked and his face pale, yet dark defiance still burned in his eyes
Seeing Valessa and Flowira walk in, a violent tremor shook his eyes.
“Flowira…”
Flowira stood rigid near the entrance, remaining silent.
Chapter 822 Face to Face
Ronan struggled against his bindings, the chains rattling softly.
He murmured weakly, “You escaped… How did you get out?”
Elowen strolled in with a lazy posture, “Never mind how she escaped. You’d better figure out how you’re getting out.”
Ronan narrowed his eyes as his gaze landed on Elowen.
“Oracle.” He let out a bitter sigh. “I underestimated you. You really have some tricks up your sleeve.”
Leaning back against the pillow, his voice rasped. “Save your breath. Archduke Malkor has only one son and he’s satisfied with me. He will never abandon me, and he’ll tear this place apart to fetch me, even if it means war with the Oracle.”
Elowen burst into a dry chuckle, “Keep holding onto that dream.”
Ronan’s gaze darkened, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Elowen offered no explanation, merely smiling. She simply turned her eyes to Flowira.
“Your Highness, anything else to say to him?”
Flowira shook her head, “Nothing. My fiancé died long ago.”
A flash of sharp pain glinted in Ronan’s eyes.
Flowira turned on her heel and walked out.
Elowen cast a fleeting glance at Ronan before turning to leave as well.
Behind them, chains clashed wildly. Ronan screamed hoarsely, “Flowira! Elowen!”
But the heavy door slammed shut, sealing all cries inside the chamber.
Once outside, Thomas suddenly spoke up, “I know how to handle Malkor now.”
Elowen raised an eyebrow, “Do you now?”
Thomas nodded.
Elowen gave him a lingering look, “Good. You may go then.”
Offering her a final look, Thomas bowed low to her, Valessa, and Flowira, then turned and departed without another word.
Watching his figure vanish down the hallway, Valessa murmured, “Do you trust him that much? If he turns on us, we’re finished.”
Elowen gave a sweet smile. “My judge of character hasn’t failed me yet. Thomas won’t betray us.”
!
Chapter 622 Face to Face
Ronan struggled against his bindings, the chains rattling softly.
He murmured weakly, “You escaped… How did you get out?”
Elowen strolled in with a lazy posture, “Never mind how she escaped. You’d better figure out how you’re getting out.”
Ronan narrowed his eyes as his gaze landed on Elowen.
“Oracle.” He let out a bitter sigh, “I underestimated you. You really have some tricks up your sleeve.”
Leaning back against the pillow, his voice rasped, “Save your breath. Archduke Malkor has only one son al he’s satisfied with me. He will never abandon me, and he’ll tear this place apart to fetch me, even if it mea war with the Oracle.”
Elowen burst into a dry chuckle. “Keep holding onto that dream.”
Ronan’s gaze darkened, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Elowen offered no explanation, merely smiling. She simply turned her eyes to Flowira.
“Your Highness, anything else to say to him?”
Flowira shook her head, “Nothing. My fiancé died long ago.”
A flash of sharp pain glinted in Ronan’s eyes.
Flowira turned on her heel and walked out.
Elowen cast a fleeting glance at Ronan before turning to leave as well.
Behind them, chains clashed wildly. Ronan screamed hoarsely, “Flowira! Elowen!”
But the heavy door slammed shut, sealing all cries inside the chamber.
Once outside, Thomas suddenly spoke up, “I know how to handle Malkor now,”
Elowen raised an eyebrow, “Do you now?”
Thomas nodded.
Elowen gave him a lingering look, “Good. You may go then.”
Offering her a final look, Thomas bowed low to her, Valessa, and Flowira, then turned and departed without another word.
Watching his figure vanish down the hallway, Valessa murmured, “Do you trust him that much? If he turns on us, we’re finished.”
Elowen gave a sweet smile, “My judge of character hasn’t failed me yet. Thomas won’t betray us.”
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice
Excellent literary piece!...