Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 242: Unwelcome Truths

The words sounded right.

But they didn't feel sincere.

Elowen leaned toward Elspeth and murmured, "You heard that, right? Duchess Yvonne doesn't like Sylvia."

Elspeth nodded slightly. "That niece of Her Majesty, I've met her before. She really is impressive. I heard there was even talk of her becoming Crown Princess at one point."

Elowen only smiled. Clarisse might be perfect.

But she had already promised Piers. She would make Yvonne accept Sylvia.

No matter what.

Nearby, another lady laughed. "If you ask me, just don't end up picking someone like Azure. Who even knows what's real with her?"

The implication was obvious.

They were mocking Daphne.

The group burst into quiet laughter. Elowen's smile deepened.

Elspeth looked confused. "What is that supposed to mean? What happened?"

Elowen patted her hand lightly. "I'll explain everything when we get back."

The point was simple.

After today, Daphne had lost a lot of face. She wouldn't be causing trouble anytime soon.

That meant Elowen could finally shift her focus to Sylvia and Piers.

By the time the banquet ended, night had fallen.

Back at Duskmoor Manor, Elowen got busy settling Elspeth in, choosing a spacious courtyard for her, arranging attendants, making sure everything was comfortable.

More importantly, she planned to walk her through everything that had happened at the wedding, in full detail.

In the study, a shadow guard stood before Cassian.

"Your Grace, after leaving the hall, Her Grace met with Elias, then later encountered His Highness... and..."

He hesitated. "...she forced him to his knees."

Bran and Cassian spoke at the same time. Bran's voice was full of disbelief. "She really did that?"

Cassian's tone carried a hint of amusement. "Impressive."

Bran turned to look at him, stunned. Are you serious?

Cassian raised a brow, offering no explanation. The guard added, "Her Majesty was nearby at the time. She saw it happen."

Bran frowned. "Wouldn't that offend the Crown Prince's Wing? Her Majesty won't forget this."

Cassian sounded unconcerned. "He chose to do that. How is that her fault?"

Bran had no response.

Cassian asked instead, "She spoke with Elias earlier?"

The guard confirmed and repeated the conversation in detail.

Bran listened, then said, "That man knows his literature. Even quoting Blythe."

Cassian let out a quiet scoff, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Idiot."

It's obvious now, Elias and Ella go way back, and the real Azure... is his own duchess. Ella, how many more surprises are you still hiding from me?

The rain over Vanelle finally stopped.

Water dripped from the eaves, forming a steady rhythm as it hit the damp stone below.

After seeing Elspeth off, Elowen walked back across the courtyard.

Inside, Cassian sat in his chair, dressed in dark patterned fabric, reading under the soft glow of a glass lamp.

The flickering light softened the sharp lines of his face, giving him a calmer, almost scholarly air.

At the sound of the door, he looked up.

A faint smile touched his lips. "You're back. I thought you'd stay with your aunt tonight."

Elowen froze for a split second.

He got that exactly right. She had considered it.

She quickly recovered, stepping closer with a bright, almost overly sweet smile. "That's not true, Your Grace. You're being unfair."

Her voice softened, just a hint of playfulness. "I can't sleep properly without you."

Cassian only smiled.

Elowen crouched beside him, resting near the arm of the chair, looking up carefully. "So... the guards reported everything?"

Cassian gave a low hum. Her heart skipped slightly.

She chose her words with care. "So you know I spoke to Elias?"

Cassian remained calm. "I heard. He seems well-read. Even knows Blythe."