Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84 The Price of Words

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Panic seized Daphne. She cast a desperate, pleading look at Alaric. “Your Highness! Please!”

Alaric’s brow furrowed with displeasure.

He was already in his uncle’s bad graces. Her drawing attention to him now would only make things worse.

But then he remembered-she was Azure. A flicker of pity stirred within him. He wet his lips. “Uncle, four hours-is that not too severe?”

Cedric, still on his knees, also looked up imploringly. “Yes, Your Grace! Daphne is delicate! She can’t take it!”

Cassian remained unmoved. “She is delicate, unable to endure four hours of kneeling. Is my Duchess, then, so robust that she deserves to be slandered and bullied by the likes of you?”

His words hung in the air, silencing everyone.

Even Elowen was taken aback.

Cassian’s tone brooked no argument. “Take her. Four full hours.”

Seeing his unyielding harshness, Daphne suddenly turned to Elowen, sobbing, “Your Grace! Please! Have mercy! We grew up together! You used to share your pastries with me, give me the finest fabrics!”

She was calling her “Your Grace” now.

How ironic.

Where was that memory when you were alluding to my past with Alaric in front of Cassian?

“My lord,” Elowen spoke up, “perhaps a lesser punishment today?”

She wasn’t softening out of pity. She remembered what Mira had reported-Daphne had been starving herself for days to achieve a slender figure. Four hours of kneeling would likely

break her.

And Daphne was here as an invited guest of the Crown Prince, seemingly favored by the King and Queen as a potential Crown Princess.

If Cassian punished her too severely on Elowen’s behalf, would it cause friction with the King and Queen?

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19:14 Fri, Feb 13 TTD

Chapter 84 The Price of Words

She added softly. “If she were to faint or worse, die, it would be rather troublesome.”

Cassian nodded slightly. “You make a valid point

Her suggestion was the only one he considered.

Bran paused obediently at the doorway, awaiting further orders.

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Daphne’s heart lifted with a secret sigh of relief. Of course. Elowen is soft-hearted, always clinging to old sentiments.

Though it irked her to see Cassian heed Elowen so readily, at least she was spared.

“All right then,” Cassian decided. “Bran, you and the others will keep watch. If she faints, pour water on her and continue.”

Daphne stared, frozen.

“If she dies, then the kneeling is over. Find a coffin and return her to the Garretts.” His tone was disturbingly casual.

Daphne’s face turned ashen. She nearly fainted on the spot.

Bran, perfectly serious, asked, “What sort of coffin, Your Grace?”

“Your choice. An expensive one is fine. We’re not short of funds.”

“Understood.” Bran resumed dragging the struggling Daphne out.

Her cries and pleas echoed, ignored by Cassian.

Bran offered some practical advice. “Save your strength, lady. You’ll need it if you’re to

survive.”

Daphne’s sobs hitched.

He then added, almost conversationally, “What kind of coffin do you prefer? What wood? If you die, I’ll pick one you’d like.”

Daphne’s legs gave way. She couldn’t even muster the energy to cry.

A heavy silence fell over the room. No one found it strange. No one dared object.

This was the Duke of Duskmoor as he was known-ruthless, decisive.

It was how he had secured the throne for Theodric and cowed all opposition.

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19:14 Fri, Feb 13 TTD.

Chapter 84 The Price of Words

Recent peace and his coma had made people forget his true nature.

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It was in this moment that a sliver of fear pierced Elowen’s heart. She realized the vast power imbalance between her and Cassian.

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