Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 295: Truth

Alaric's eyes ordered him forward.

And then the door opened from inside.

Cassian sat in his wheelchair, face as cold and controlled as ever. Bran stood behind him, hands on the grips, as if they were about to leave.

Cassian looked mildly surprised to find a crowd waiting.

Quin forced himself forward and bowed. "Duke of Duskmoor."

Alaric bowed too. "Uncle."

Cassian rested an arm on the chair's armrest. His voice was calm. "How did you find this place?"

Quin's discomfort sharpened. He didn't know how to answer.

Alaric said, "His Majesty has questions for you."

Cassian gave a flat hum. "Convenient. I also have matters to discuss with His Majesty."

Alaric's mouth lifted. "It isn't only you who needs to go."

Cassian looked at him.

Alaric said, "The young woman inside should come as well."

Cassian's brow tightened almost imperceptibly. "Who?"

Alaric laughed under his breath. "Uncle, at this point, why play dumb? We already know. His Majesty knows."

Cassian's frown deepened. "What?"

Alaric said each word clearly. "That you've been keeping a woman here."

Cassian paused. "A woman?"

Alaric continued smoothly, like a man certain he'd won. "Tell her to come out. His Majesty is waiting. If His Majesty is in a generous mood, she might even be granted a position. If not... her life could be at risk."

The room inside stayed quiet for a beat.

Then footsteps.

Someone came out.

Alaric stared into the doorway, triumphant.

What emerged wasn't a soft, beautiful woman.

It was a broad-shouldered man, tall, thick through the chest, darkened skin roughened by years of wind and grit. He wore a worn, plain robe. His face was soldier-handsome and weathered.

He scratched his head awkwardly, voice booming. "Your Highness... I'm married. My daughter is old enough to marry herself. And I'm a man. You're asking me to be a 'side consort' to the Duke of Duskmoor? That's... not appropriate. I don't want to, and I'm pretty sure the Duke doesn't want to either."

Alaric stood frozen.

His mind buzzed like it had been struck.

Quin's surprise flashed across his face for a moment. Then the palace veteran regained himself. He stepped forward and bowed. "Warren."

Warren immediately returned the salute with clasped hands. "Lord Jett."

"No," Alaric snapped, finally finding his voice. "You're a cover. There's still a woman in there!"

Warren started to speak.

Alaric shoved past him and stormed into the room, searching like a madman.

He yanked open the bed curtains, bent to check underneath, threw open cabinets, even looked up toward the beams, every corner that might hide someone.

There was nothing.

The food on the table was set for one.

Alaric's face drained as his sweat turned cold.

"Impossible," he muttered. "Where is she?"

Cassian stayed seated in the doorway, watching as if mildly entertained. He propped his cheek in his hand and offered, lazily, "Check the desk drawers too. Maybe she's hiding in there."

Alaric, out of his mind with frustration, actually did it. He yanked open a drawer.

Inside were a few local records and an inkstone.

Nothing else.

Only then did Alaric snap back to himself and realize how stupid he looked. A drawer couldn't fit a living person.

He'd been toyed with.

Shame crawled across his face.

"There was smoke," Alaric said, clinging to it. "And food. Someone was cooking. That's real."

Warren raised a hand, hesitant. "That was me. Back home I cooked for my wife all the time. After years in Nordia, I was worried I'd forgotten. So I've been practicing. Men can cook too."

Alaric whipped around and glared at him. "Then why are you hiding here?"