Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 284: Mess

Elowen finally opened her eyes. "That sounds like a mess to sort out."

Cassian smiled and kissed her again. "It's nothing too serious, only complicated. Matters like this are never simple. Even if he hadn't released him, it wouldn't have been resolved quickly."

Elowen nodded faintly.

The exhaustion from earlier still weighed heavily on her. She shifted into a more comfortable position. "Sleep."

Cassian touched her cheek and asked softly, "Just sleep?"

Elowen's voice blurred with drowsiness. "Too tired. Just sleep."

"Alright."

Cassian said nothing more. He wrapped an arm around her from behind and fell asleep with her.

The next morning, when Elowen woke, the space beside her was empty.

Mira came in to help. Elowen yawned and asked, "Where's Cassian?"

Mira gathered the bed curtains. "He left early this morning. He didn't say where he was going."

Elowen paused, then motioned Mira closer and whispered in her ear, "Go to the north side of the city for me. I need you to look into something..."

At the Crown Prince's Wing, Alaric returned from the morning council still dressed in his formal court attire, a richly embroidered doublet belted at the waist, his posture straight and composed.

The moment he stepped through the doorway, he saw Tristan waiting beneath the covered walkway. Tristan stepped forward at once.

Alaric cast him a brief glance. Something important.

Without slowing, he walked straight into the inner study.

Tristan followed and closed the door behind them.

He bowed and lowered his voice. "Your Highness, there's been movement."

Alaric lifted his chin slightly. "Go on."

"This morning His Grace left the manor as usual and headed north of the city," Tristan reported steadily. "About half an hour later, Mira slipped out through the side gate of Duskmoor Manor and went toward Elmwood Alley as well. Our people saw her at the entrance of the alley. She lingered there for quite some time before leaving."

Alaric's lips curled faintly.

Mira had served Elowen for years. Elowen trusted her completely.

If Mira had seen it with her own eyes, Elowen would believe it.

Which meant Elowen would believe Cassian truly kept another woman elsewhere.

Alaric's mood improved immediately.

But even that was not enough.

He wanted Elowen to be utterly disappointed in Cassian before she finally turned to him with her whole heart.

Alaric considered it briefly before asking, "What month is it now?"

Tristan blinked once but answered immediately. "Your Highness, it's November."

"November..." Alaric repeated thoughtfully, tracing his finger lightly across the surface of the desk.

Then he looked up. "Falconcrest Manor's heir, Piers. His wedding should be soon, shouldn't it?"

At Duskmoor Manor, Elowen finished breakfast and, with nothing urgent demanding her attention, settled down to read.

After sitting on the daybed for a while, she began to feel cold.

Vanelle had grown colder recently. Only a few days earlier she had been at Sunspire Hill, surrounded by the warmth of the hot springs. Returning to the city so suddenly, her body had not yet adjusted.

She didn't feel like getting up herself, so she called out, "Mira, bring me a blanket."

Mira answered and went to the wardrobe to find a fur throw.

"Duchess, Miss Ashcroft has arrived," Cora announced softly from outside.

Elowen turned toward the sound. "Let her in."

The curtain rustled as Sylvia entered.

She wore a new outfit. Her face looked fresh, pink and pale. The anxious tension that once lingered in her expression had disappeared, replaced by a bright and lively look.

She bowed properly. "Sylvia greets you."

Elowen sat up, smiling as she looked Sylvia over. Sylvia finally looks like the young noblewoman she's meant to be.

Elowen set her book aside and reached out to help her up. "Get up. We're family. You don't need to stand on ceremony."

But when Elowen's fingers touched Sylvia's wrist, she felt something smooth and solid.

She looked down.

Sylvia wore a matching pair of bangles, clear and richly colored, clearly expensive.

Elowen let out a small sound. "New bracelets?"

Sylvia's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her eyes. "This morning Duchess Yvonne invited me to her residence. When I left, she placed these on my wrist herself..."

Elowen understood immediately. She patted Sylvia's hand with a smile. "She must be very fond of you. She's already treating you like her future daughter-in-law."

Sylvia looked up. "I owe it all to you... to what you've taught me."

Elowen tilted her head slightly. "Why thank me? I haven't taught you anything."

They had not even known each other for very long.

"I mean it," Sylvia said firmly. "If it hadn't been for you that day... I would have panicked. I never would have dared to drive that pin into his chest."

Elowen's expression softened. "No, Sylvia. That courage wasn't something I gave you. It was always there. You carry the Ashcroft blood. Your father died fighting for the realm, and he was a brave man. Elspeth rides and shoots with fierce skill, and Selene stands strong in the palace as well. That strength runs in your blood, and it has nothing to do with me."