Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 167: Learning Her

Elspeth glanced at Cassian and said, "Tell me something, do you actually know what your wife is into?"

Cassian paused, caught slightly off guard, and only then realized he did not have an answer. In their day to day life, Elowen was always composed and easy to get along with, never asking him for anything.

The one time she mentioned wanting something, it was just to grow a few things in the courtyard. That hardly counted.

The truth was, he did not really know her, or maybe she had never let him get close enough to see what mattered to her. The thought settled in, leaving a quiet, bitter weight he could not quite shake.

Seeing him go quiet, Elspeth understood. "You two just got married. This is when you're supposed to be figuring each other out. Besides, I'm here. I'll be staying in Vanelle for a while, so I can spend time with her and see what she likes."

Cassian looked up at her. "You and Marquess of Havenstead fought again?"

Elspeth let out a short, cool laugh. "Fought? Who said we fought? We're doing great. Couldn't be better. Respectful, considerate, the perfect couple. People in Rivenshire can't stop talking about us."

Cassian said nothing. That settles it. It has to be a serious fight.

There was a good chance she had even taken a swing at Marquess of Havenstead.

Other people might not know, but he did. On the surface, Elspeth seemed distant and composed, but in reality, she had a temper and never hesitated to act on it.

"Forget him," she said, waving it off. "We're talking about your wife."

"She's young enough to be my daughter. I always thought if I had one, I'd dress her in the finest gowns, pick out the prettiest pieces for her, spoil her properly. Instead, I ended up with two sons. But now, I've got Elowen."

At the mention of Elowen, her expression softened with genuine affection. "That poor girl. No scheming, no guard up, just kind to a fault. She doesn't even try to defend herself, just takes everything on her shoulders. I misunderstood her earlier and almost gave her a hard time."

A faint smile touched Cassian's lips.

His wife was anything but naive.

Elspeth continued, fully wrapped up in her own thoughts. "Her mother passed from grief, didn't she? Then from now on, she's half mine. I'll make sure she's taken care of."

Elsewhere, Elowen knew nothing about this.

After parting ways with Piers, she headed back toward the hall to rejoin the banquet. Halfway there, a soft, overly sweet voice drifted through the corridor.

"Your Highness, wait up."

The sound made her skin crawl instantly. She recognized Daphne's voice right away, which meant Alaric was with her, and her good mood dropped on the spot.

The voice came from the shorter path ahead, so Elowen turned the other way instead. A few extra steps were worth it if it meant not running into the two of them.

After putting some distance between them, the voice finally faded. Elowen let out a quiet breath, but thinking back to that tone, she still pulled a face.

How did anyone even talk like that?

Or was that what men liked?

Cassian... Does he like that too?

Still thinking, she turned the corner and nearly walked straight into someone. She stopped short, and when she looked up and saw Alaric, her brows pulled together in irritation.

She had not expected him to come this way after all, and the detour she had taken ended up meaning nothing.

For a split second, something like relief flickered in Alaric's eyes, but it disappeared almost immediately. He stood there, frowning slightly, his tone deliberately cool. "What are you doing here?"

Elowen answered evenly, "Her Majesty sent me an invitation. As your aunt, I was expected to attend."

"This is my engagement banquet," Alaric said, watching her closely. "You don't have anything else to say?"

He searched her face, looking for even a hint of disappointment.

There was none.

"Congratulations," Elowen said, her tone polite but distant, without the slightest trace of emotion.

Alaric's jaw tightened. "That's it?"

Elowen thought for a second. "Then I hope everything goes well for you. A big family and all that."

Alaric almost choked.

He was getting engaged to someone else. Shouldn't she feel something?

And she was standing there wishing him well?

Before he could say anything else, a soft cry came from behind.

"Ow!"

Elowen turned to look.

Daphne had fallen to the ground, one hand clutching her ankle as if she had twisted it rushing over. She looked up at Alaric, eyes glossy, voice soft. "Your Highness, it really hurts. Could you help me up?"