Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 267: A Plea That Backfires

Elspeth's expression hardened at once. "Laurent is the one who crossed the line, so why are you the one running around begging for mercy?"

Anwen's face tightened further. Her lips parted as if she meant to explain, yet no explanation seemed able to leave her mouth without making things sound worse.

Elowen adopted a mild, almost guileless expression, as though the whole situation had simply confused her. "Lady Anwen told me it wasn't anything serious. I don't understand military affairs, and she cried so miserably that I couldn't help feeling awful for her."

Her tone remained earnest and gentle. "So I swallowed my pride and went to speak with Cassian, hoping he might say a word to His Majesty."

Elspeth's frown deepened into open irritation as she turned sharply toward Anwen. "That man is your husband. If he's the one who made a mess of things, then you should be the one pleading with Cassian. Why on earth would you push Ella into doing it? Because you think she's too kind to refuse?"

Anwen's face drained of color. She stood there trembling, humiliation written across every line of her expression, yet she could not find a single reply that wouldn't make the situation worse.

Elowen lowered her gaze, her lashes casting faint shadows that made her look harmless and almost sweet.

After this, she will think twice before coming to me again. That alone makes the trouble worthwhile.

"Mother."

Clarisse's voice drifted in from the covered walkway, slightly hoarse.

Everyone turned.

Clarisse stepped into the hall from the back courtyard, that broad-shouldered man following a step behind her.

The moment Yvonne noticed them, her brow creased faintly. The reaction was subtle, but unmistakable. She shifted her gaze away at once, as though looking at them for too long might leave a stain.

Elowen watched them as well.

Clarisse looked perfectly composed. Her gown was neat, her hair arranged with careful precision. Nothing about her appearance suggested anything improper.

It was almost impossible to connect the poised, elegant woman before them with the one Elowen had glimpsed earlier among the rocks behind the garden.

There was another thing Elowen could not quite understand.

Sharing a bed with a man was not purely miserable, but it was hardly comfortable either. Even afterward there was that lingering soreness, that strange swollen discomfort.

So why does Clarisse enjoy it so much?

The moment they left the hot-spring estate, the pleasant smile Anwen had been forcing onto her face vanished.

She strode straight to the carriage, then spun around. Her brows were drawn tight, her face dark with restrained fury as she glared at Clarisse.

"Where did you go just now?"

Clarisse showed no sign of hurry or concern. She casually smoothed a faint crease from her sleeve and answered in a tone as calm as if they were chatting about the weather.

"What exactly are you imagining? What could I possibly have been doing? I was just walking around. The scenery here is rather nice."

Anwen's expression darkened further, the vein at her temple pulsing as her temper threatened to break loose.

Clarisse let out a small laugh edged with open disdain. "You embarrassed yourself in front of everyone, so now you plan to vent it on me?"

She lifted her eyes and met Anwen's gaze directly. "Father's in serious trouble, and Cassian clearly has no intention of going easy on him. When the time comes, who do you think you'll be relying on? It certainly won't be him. It'll be me."

Anwen narrowed her eyes. "What exactly are you implying?"

Clarisse adjusted the bracelet at her wrist with an air of bored calm. "Once the family loses its standing, if you still want silk gowns and decent dinners, won't you simply marry me off to whichever wealthy house is willing to take me?"

Her tone remained flat and matter-of-fact. "That's how most families survive hard times. They trade their daughters for security. It's hardly unusual."

"You—" Anwen trembled with anger, but the words stuck in her throat.

Clarisse regarded her steadily. "There's no point arguing. If you want to save him, get in the carriage and come with me to the Royal Court."

"Go to the Royal Court?" Anwen frowned. "And what exactly would we do there?"

"To see His Highness."

Anwen's expression twisted. "Why would His Highness help? You know perfectly well he's never liked your father. We should be asking Her Majesty instead."

Clarisse gave a quiet snort. "And you think Her Majesty is any fonder of him? It's the same problem either way. His Highness is the better choice."

Anwen's frown deepened. "But everyone knows His Highness is wary of Cassian..."

Clarisse smiled faintly and lowered her voice.

"Mother, didn't you notice something at the wedding in the Crown Prince's Wing?"

Anwen stared at her without understanding.

Clarisse's lips curved slightly. "His Highness barely paid any attention to the Crown Princess that day."

She paused before finishing softly.

"He spent most of his time watching the Duchess of Duskmoor."

She shrugged lightly. "We're simply going to ask for help. That's all."

Anwen hesitated, uncertainty still written across her face. "Do you really think this will save your father?"

"You'll find out if we try."

Anwen had no better option. Even if Clarisse's plan felt dangerously uncertain, there was nothing else left for her to grasp.

With a weary sigh, she climbed into the carriage.

Not long afterward, they arrived at the Crown Prince's Wing.

The red palace gates opened slowly, revealing the austere complex beyond.

Inside the study, Alaric sat behind a heavy wooden desk, his expression cold and unreadable. A cup rested in his hand as he looked down at the mother and daughter standing before him.

Anwen's eyes were red with tears. Her voice trembled as she pleaded.

"Your Highness, please... for the sake of family, show mercy and help us. Save Laurent. Blood should count for something."

Alaric did not react.

He simply looked down at her with calm indifference.

He was not Elowen. And his heart was not easily moved.