Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 321: Family Memories

Elowen was still thinking about how to answer when Cassian spoke again. "I worked with your father, you know. He was strict, but brilliant. Didn't laugh much, either. But the second someone mentioned your mother, his ears turned red."

Elowen couldn't help smiling. That was exactly like her father.

Cassian tipped his head, thoughtful. "So that's where you get it. Blushing must run in the family."

She laughed softly. "I've always thought so."

"And your brother—I met him once or twice. He always looked lazy, but when it mattered, he was the most dependable man in the room. Sharp tongue, too. Nobody could win an argument with him."

She chuckled. "Only if my mother wasn't there. One look from her, and he'd shut right up. Later, he was even more afraid of my sister-in-law. She didn't even have to glare. He was scared anyway."

Cassian lifted his brows. "I met your sister-in-law, but never your mother. She wasn't from Vanelle, was she?"

Elowen shook her head. "She was originally from Falkriver."

"Falkriver," Cassian repeated, turning the name over in his mind. That was at the southwestern edge of Avenlor. Back in the previous king's reign, Falkriver hadn't even belonged to the kingdom. It was Elowen's father who led the campaign that brought it into Avenlor's territory—and, Cassian now realized, the same campaign that brought Elowen's mother home.

He said thoughtfully, "Your mother's family has always been something of a mystery in Vanelle. His Majesty and I both looked into it once. Didn't find much. All I know comes from Hugh. He said the Wynnes were famous healers."

Elowen looked up, surprised. "Doctor Dray knew my grandfather? Or just knew of the family?"

Cassian shook his head. "No idea. Hugh never explained. He only said the Wynne family helped him once, and he owed them. That's why he agreed to treat your knee—because of that connection."

Elowen's thoughts tangled. She had gone to Falkriver as a child, but her memories of it were blurry. She definitely didn't remember ever meeting Hugh, and none of her relatives had mentioned him before. That's weird.

Just then, the carriage came to a gentle stop.

"We're here."

Cassian got down first, then turned and offered Elowen his hand. The moment she tried to step down, her legs nearly gave out—they still hadn't fully recovered from the night before. Cassian quietly steadied her, solid as a wall, almost lifting her to the ground.

Hale Manor looked much as it always had—quiet and stately, the main gates shut, only a side door left half open. There were no guards in sight, only Regan sitting on a stool, teasing a dog at his feet.

"Regan!" Elowen called.

Regan looked up in surprise. The second he saw her, he scrambled to his feet and nearly stumbled over himself. "Miss—Miss Hale! You're home!"

Behind her, Cassian had settled into his wheelchair. He still kept up the act outside the manor. Bran started pushing him forward. It took Regan another moment to recognize him, and when he did, he looked even more flustered. "D-Duke of Duskmoor! You're here too?"

He started to bow, but Elowen quickly stopped him.

"Regan, there's no need for that," she said. "You don't have to stand on ceremony with me."

His eyes reddened at once. "You're home, Miss. It would've been nice to know in advance..."

As she reassured him, Elowen bent down and stroked the dog's soft head. She smiled gently. "This isn't anything formal. The last time I came back, the duke was ill and couldn't come with me. Now that he's better, we came together to pay our respects."

Regan nodded quickly. "Yes... yes, of course." He stepped aside, voice shaking with emotion. "Your... your father and mother, and your brother... they've been waiting for you..."

Elowen felt the weight of his words settle deep in her chest. A sharp sting pricked at the back of her nose, and for a moment she thought she might cry.

They continued deeper into the Hale Manor.

The estate looked much as it always had. By Theodric's command, because the Hale family had given their lives in service to the realm, the manor had been left untouched. Though no one lived there anymore, a steward and a few servants still remained to maintain the house, keeping the rooms in order so that it would not fall into ruin.

Elowen walked on slowly. Perhaps because Cassian was beside her, her emotions felt unusually raw today.

They passed the long corridor where soldiers used to come and go at all hours. Now it stood completely silent.

They also passed the study where her uncles had once gathered, laughing and arguing late into the night. Elowen glanced toward it as they walked by. The doors were closed, the paint on the wood faded and worn with time.

The bleak air of late autumn and early winter made the whole place feel even more desolate.

In the courtyard stood the pear tree her brother had planted the year he married her sister-in-law. Now the branches looked thin and brittle, as if the tree itself had begun to wither.

Elowen stopped beneath it.

She stood there for a long time, looking up at the tree, a sudden heaviness settling over her.

For quite a while, she said nothing.

Regan, trying his best to comfort her, said, "We... we water it every day, but... but it just won't thrive."

Elowen managed a faint smile. "My brother was never good at gardening. He killed my mother's orchids every year. No one really expected the pear tree to survive, either."

She took a careful breath, then turned to Regan. "It's alright. Let's go."