Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87 Stay the Night

Was it because she paid respects to her father and spoke her heart?

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Back at Duskmoor Manor, as they descended from the carriage, a sweet, floral fragrance wafted through the air.

A lovely young woman rushed toward the wheelchair, her voice soft and melodious. “Cassian! You’re finally back!”

Her voice was like a nightingale’s song, utterly charming. “I’ve been waiting for ages…”

Elowen looked toward the source of the voice. A girl of about sixteen or seventeen in a pale yellow round-neck gown stood there, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

She stood before Cassian’s wheelchair, gazing at him with sparkling eyes.

Cassian’s first reaction was to turn his head and look at Elowen.

Following his gaze, the girl beamed a bright, friendly smile at Elowen. “You must be the Duchess! So beautiful-you look every bit the general’s daughter.”

Elowen offered a polite smile in return, about to respond courteously.

Before she could speak, the girl quickly turned her attention back to Cassian, her tone turning coy. “Cassian, Mother and I traveled so far to get here! The journey was so hot and stuffy, and we almost ran into some very bad men! Thank goodness for the guards you left us. They protected us so well…”

Elowen instinctively sensed a faint but definite undercurrent of animosity, subtle but present.

Cassian’s gaze kept drifting to Elowen. His tone was even as he asked, “Where is your mother?”

“She’s in the reception hall. I just… I missed you so much. When I heard you were back, I came straight here. Cassian, aren’t you happy to see me?”

Cassian didn’t answer that. Instead, he turned fully to Elowen, his voice softening. “Go and rest first. Our visitors are the wife and daughter of a former lieutenant of mine. They likely have matters to discuss.”

The girl seemed to remember herself. “Oh, Duchess, please don’t misunderstand! There’s absolutely nothing between Cassian and me! He’s only good to me because he sees me as a little sister.”

Elowen nodded with a smile. “I get it.”

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19:15 Fri, Feb 13 TTD

49%

Chapter 87 Stay the Night

The girl insisted on pushing Cassian’s wheelchair to the reception hall herself.

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Bran couldn’t dissuade her. Fortunately, she lacked the strength and soon grew tired, wiping her brow and handing the task back to Bran.

She walked beside Cassian, chattering in a playful, slightly petulant tone.

Elowen listened to the fading sound of her voice as she led her own attendants back to their courtyard.

“Your Grace, please don’t take it to heart,” Cora said softly, hurrying to walk beside Elowen. She worried for Elowen.

“That young lady’s surname is Wren. Her father was His Grace’s first lieutenant, and also one of his martial instructors.”

Elowen glanced at her. “If I recall, Lieutenant Wren is currently in Nordia, isn’t he?”

Cora nodded. “Yes…”

Elowen knew the story.

Cassian’s most seasoned lieutenant had pursued enemy forces deep into Nordian territory on his orders, only to be captured in a trap.

The Nordians, impressed by his skill and loyalty had tried to persuade him to switch allegiance. He had never yielded and had remained under house arrest in Nordia for years.

Since then, Cassian had taken care of his wife and daughter.

Cora watched Elowen’s expression. “His Grace doesn’t feel anything particular for Miss Wren. They must have something important to discuss with him today. Miss Wren is young, probably doesn’t fully understand the boundaries between men and women yet, so she’s a bit too familiar with His Grace…”

Elowen nodded. “I know. I understand.”

Back in their courtyard, Elowen inspected the newly furnished rooms, found no issues, and sat down with the household ledgers again.

Evening fell.

Elowen grew tired from the accounts and longed for bed.

But then she remembered Cassian’s words about “getting accustomed” to each other. She pushed the thought aside and forced herself to keep reading at the table.

III

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Chapter 87 Stay the Night

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She didn’t know how much time had passed when she found herself propping up her head with one hand, her eyelids feeling like lead weights, irresistibly closing.

“Your Grace.” Mira’s voice was soft.

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