Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 241: Something Changed

It felt like... he wasn't the same person anymore.

The thought struck Elowen out of nowhere, sharp and sudden like a lightning bolt.

What if... Alaric comes back too?

The idea sent a chill racing down her spine.

"Ella? ...Ella?"

Someone called her name a few times before she snapped out of it. She turned and saw Elspeth beside her.

Elowen curved her eyes into a smile. "Aunt, what is it?"

Elspeth studied her. "Where did you drift off to? I've been calling you."

Elowen waved it off casually. "Nothing serious, just thinking about a few things back at Duskmoor Manor."

She shifted the topic smoothly and slipped her arm through Elspeth's. "Did you just arrive? I didn't see you earlier."

Elspeth frowned slightly. "Something came up at home, and the rain didn't help. I ended up arriving late and missed the ceremony. How was it? Lively?"

Elowen let out a light laugh. "Very. If you have time later, come stay at Duskmoor Manor. I'll tell you everything."

Elspeth nodded. "That works. I was planning to stay there for a couple of days anyway."

Elowen caught something off in her expression. Looking closer, she realized Elspeth looked far more worn than usual.

"Aunt... did something happen at home?"

Elspeth had been holding it in for too long. Now that she started, she didn't stop.

"It's her again. This time she didn't just come alone, she brought her daughter with her. Nina, eight years old."

Her tone turned sharper. "The girl's always been fragile. Pale, thin, like she'll fall apart in a strong breeze. She clings to him constantly. Either she's asking for stories or insisting he spend time with her, making kites, playing games... It doesn't stop."

Elspeth's voice rose, frustration spilling over. "Even late at night, after we've already turned in, they send someone over saying the girl had a nightmare and won't calm down unless she sees him."

She exhaled sharply before continuing.

"Last night, I heard the first chapter of Azure's new book was already selling out, so I went out to get a copy. On the way back, I picked up some pastries, just trying to be polite. They're guests, after all."

Her expression darkened.

"And what happens? That girl eats them and gets sick. Vomiting, stomach cramps. This morning they call a doctor, and suddenly it's food poisoning. And guess what they say? That she only ate what I brought."

Elowen's brows drew together slightly.

Elspeth scoffed. "Lydia plays it nice, saying, 'Oh, I'm sure it has nothing to do with you.' But then Alistair turns around and asks me if there was something wrong with the pastries."

She laughed, bitter and sharp. "He actually suspected me."

Alistair. That was the name behind it.

Elspeth's chest rose and fell with the lingering anger.

Elowen asked quietly, "And then?"

Elspeth's voice turned cold. "I slapped him. Then I walked out and came straight to the Crown Prince's Wing."

Elowen blinked.

That solution was... direct.

She hesitated, then asked, "And Lydia... what exactly is her connection to him?"

Elspeth answered without pause. "He was close to his uncle and aunt growing up. They only had one daughter, Lydia. Before they passed, they left her in his care."

Her voice tightened. "And he takes promises like that seriously. Once he decides something, he won't let go. No matter what."

Elowen frowned slightly.

None of this had come up in her previous life.

That meant things between Elspeth and Alistair were far more complicated than she thought.

Elspeth waved it off. "I didn't tell you all this to make you worry. I just don't want to see their faces for a couple of days. Let me stay with you and get some peace."

Elowen answered immediately. "Stay as long as you want."

Elspeth added, "But sooner or later, I'm sending them back to Rivenshire. I'm not letting them stay here."

Then she seemed to remember something.

"By the way, Ella, the marriage at Falconcrest Manor was delayed for the Crown Prince's wedding. Now that it's done, Sylvia's situation should move forward soon, right?"

They had already stepped into the main hall.

Elowen was about to answer when voices drifted over. Yvonne was speaking with several ladies nearby.

"...now that the Crown Prince's wedding is finished, it's about time your sons start settling down too."

Someone laughed lightly. "Oh please, how could ours compare to yours? Your son is accomplished, and even his marriage was arranged personally by His Majesty. You're the one we should envy."

Yvonne only gave a polite smile.

Another woman leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You know, she actually had someone else in mind before all this. The queen's niece, Clarisse. Good family, well-educated, graceful... everything you'd want."

A flicker of regret crossed Yvonne's eyes, though her smile didn't falter. "What His Majesty arranged is naturally the best choice. Better than anything I could have chosen."