Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 287: Pattern

His hair was brushed back and secured with a simple silver circlet, and a finely worked belt rested at his waist.

He'd tried on at least ten outfits to choose this one. He'd spent almost two hours on it.

He knew he was handsome, so he'd even applied a thin layer of powder to brighten his complexion, more alluring, more polished.

Alaric's mouth tipped up. She won't be able to take her eyes off me.

He finished his bow and looked up at Elowen.

What he saw wasn't admiration.

Elowen's expression was flat. She looked at him the way she might look at a robot.

Alaric's confidence faltered.

Is the robe wrong? Is the powder too much? Is the hairpiece crooked?

Elowen only looked at him twice before turning her eyes away.

He was, objectively, striking, tall, well-built, handsome. He stood there and drew attention without trying.

If this had been the past, before Elowen's heart had finally gone quiet, she would've been flustered, her gaze stuck on him.

But she'd looked at Cassian long enough. She'd seen Cassian stand again when his legs improved, straight-backed and steady.

Beside that, Alaric seemed rather unimpressive. To be perfectly honest, he didn't even come close to Cassian.

Elowen started walking into the manor grounds.

Alaric quickened his pace to follow. "Running into you here really is fate."

Elowen gave him a lukewarm hum and kept going.

"I have something to say," Alaric pressed.

"We don't," Elowen said coolly, "have much to talk about."

Alaric's frustration surged. He went straight for it. "I know Cassian keeps a woman outside the manor."

Elowen stopped dead.

She turned, brows knitting. Her expression went complicated in an instant.

Alaric caught the shift and smiled, barely. He glanced back.

Tristan stepped forward and offered an elegant food box.

Alaric said, "The cakes from Allen's on Fairlight Street. You used to love them. Someone waited in line a long time. They're still warm."

Elowen didn't even look at the box.

Alaric stared at her. "I brought you cakes. You're not happy?"

Elowen asked, "Why would I be happy?"

Alaric sounded like he expected praise. "I got them for you. The line took nearly two hours. It's cold out now. That's not an easy line to stand in."

Elowen's voice stayed calm and level. "First, you didn't stand there. Your servant did."

Alaric blinked.

"Second, I don't even like Allen's. It's too sweet. You like it. Back then I ate it because you wanted it."

Alaric froze again.

"And last," Elowen finished, "I ate before I came. I'm not hungry. Keep them."

The words landed hard.

Alaric visibly deflated, as though the breath had been driven from his lungs.

After a moment he forced his voice steadier, smaller. "I was trying to be good to you."

Elowen finally gave him a short laugh. "In your head, sending someone else to freeze in a line for two hours, then showing up dressed like you're here to model, is 'being good to me'? Say it out loud and tell me it doesn't sound ridiculous."

A cold gust swept through the courtyard and slapped Alaric's face. He flinched, blinking, suddenly sharper.

He clenched his jaw. "Fine. Then what about Cassian? The woman he's keeping?"

Elowen said stubbornly, "That might not be true."

Alaric's eyes narrowed. "With your personality, you already sent someone to check. You know whether it's true."

Elowen went still.

Alaric's gaze darkened. "Daphne's been watching Duskmoor Manor. She found it first. Then she told me."

He lowered his voice, stretching out each word. "I really do want to do something for you."

Elowen pressed her lips together. "Why?"

Alaric looked at her for a long time. "I've told you. More than once. I like you. I was young. I didn't understand myself and I did a lot wrong. Now I do understand. Even if you married Cassian. Even if I married someone else. What I feel for you hasn't changed."

Elowen didn't answer.

"When I heard about the woman, I was shocked," Alaric continued, as if he meant every word. "And I hated it for you. You married him and he does this so soon? You're good to the bone. How could he betray you?"