Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 124: A Calculated Weakness

The cold shoulder!

The three words fell like a massive boulder, crushing the air from the Duke of Falconcrest's lungs.

A Duke, before a Prince—especially one favored by the King and wielding immense power—was of little consequence.

A cold sweat instantly broke out on the Duke of Falconcrest's back. He dropped to his knees in panic. "Your Grace, please see reason! This was not my arrangement! I... I wouldn't dare!"

"How would you not dare?" Cassian arched a brow. "You and your wife host this lily-viewing feast. Even Mrs. Wrenner got the invitation, and then it arrived at Duskmoor Manor after a considerable delay."

The Duke of Falconcrest was stunned. "How could that be?! Your Grace, I swear by the heavens, I ordered my servants to deliver invitations to Duskmoor Manor first. Why it was delayed, I truly do not know. Today as well. I gave clear instructions: the moment you arrived, I was to be informed so I could greet you at the gate. How could I possibly have had someone lead you to the west wing?"

He sounded dead sure.

Cassian's gaze lingered on his face for a moment before withdrawing.

The Duke of Falconcrest remained on his knees, terrified that Cassian's anger would not subside.

But then, Cassian looked towards Elowen. The icy edge in his eyes and at the corners of his mouth melted like snow. Even his voice took on a gentle note. "You came looking for me, my lady?"

The abrupt shift in demeanor left the Duke of Falconcrest momentarily bewildered.

Elowen nodded. "I saw Bran. He said you were in the west wing to see me, but I hadn't gone there to wait for you. It seemed strange, so I came to find you."

A slight smile touched Cassian's lips. "Clever."

The praise made Elowen flush slightly.

"Come in," Cassian said, his tone shifting again.

Elowen blinked. Me? Inside?

"I have something to tell you," he added.

Seeing no reason to doubt him, Elowen stepped into the room.

"Close the door," Cassian instructed.

She obediently did so.

The moment the door latched, Cassian finally allowed a soft, suppressed cough to escape, as if he'd been holding it back for a long time.

Elowen hurried closer. "What is it? Are you alright, my lord?"

"I am not," Cassian said, his handsome face deathly pale. "I have been ambushed."

Elowen was taken aback. "Who ambushed you?"

In a flash of insight, a bold guess formed. "Was it Elara?"

Cassian looked at her with appreciative surprise, then gave a weak nod. "Yes. She had support. They lured me here, then used incense to render me helpless, at her mercy."

Elowen crouched halfway in front of him, worry heavy in her eyes. "My lord..."

"Fortunately, my shadow guards were with me. They intervened in time."

Elowen let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Thank God."

"But I was caught off guard. The incense left me weak. And she forced me to drink aphrodisiac wine."

Elowen frowned, her gaze shifting to the incense burner on the table.

Indeed, that was the strange scent she'd detected outside. So it was a trap!

An empty wine jug and two cups sat on the table.

She hadn't expected it to be an aphrodisiac and Cassian was forced to drink it...

...

Elsewhere, two shadow guards carried the unconscious Elara away from prying eyes, using concealed paths to swiftly exit Falconcrest Manor.

Following Cassian's orders, they were to return her home, where she would be placed under strict house arrest, never to step beyond her family's gates again.

As they traveled, one sighed, "A pity His Grace couldn't ascertain the mastermind."

The other replied, "This girl kept her mouth shut. His Grace couldn't exactly torture her for answers. If she won't talk, there's little to be done. But with this first attempt, there will surely be a second. His Grace will find the tail and follow it to the snake's head."

"Do you think the ones behind this are the same as those behind the assassination attempts?"

"Hard to say. The world is full of those who wish His Grace dead."

The first guard couldn't help a wry comment. "Today, however, Miss Wrenner didn't want his life. She wanted a night of passion. Even brought aphrodisiac incense and wine."

"Unfortunately for her," the second chuckled, "while that incense might be potent here in Vanelle, we've seen far worse. Those southern border women, so many fancy our Duke and scheme for a night with him. The drugs and poisons they use are much more potent."

"That incense is from the southern borders. His Grace has encountered it many times. He recognizes the scent instantly and is unaffected."

"Exactly! And the wine was just as useless. His Grace could drink an entire jug without his head spinning."

...

Back in the west wing, the door remained closed.

"I don't feel good," Cassian murmured, voice rough and low.

"Then... then..." Elowen stammered, wanting to ask what should be done.

But the answer was already painfully obvious.