Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 362: Last Gift

This is the last gift I'll ever give you.

Elowen let her gaze drift across the hall once more before it settled on Alaric.

You're not getting away with this either.

Alaric seemed to feel the weight of her stare and turned toward her. His eyes were filled with a deep, unmistakable pain, the kind that might have stirred sympathy in someone else.

Elowen only rolled her eyes and looked away, unwilling to waste another moment on him.

He really does love putting on a show.

With the matter of the Crown Prince's Wing finally resolved, much of the anger in Theodric's chest had eased. His gaze moved slowly over the gathered nobles and ministers who still held their deep bows before the throne.

When he spoke again, his voice had softened slightly, though exhaustion lingered beneath it.

"Rise, all of you. This is a night meant for reunion and celebration. There is no need to remain so tense and spoil the occasion."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The hall answered in unison. One by one, the nobles and officials straightened and returned to their seats.

Even so, the mood within the hall could no longer return to its earlier ease. The celebration continued, but the laughter and conversation now carried a careful restraint.

By the time the banquet finally came to an end, the moon had already climbed high above the palace towers.

Theodric rose first from his seat.

Isla followed closely behind.

"Your Majesty," she began softly.

Theodric did not even glance back. "What is it? Have you come to plead for the Crown Prince?"

A flicker of unease crossed Isla's heart, though her expression remained poised and dignified.

"Your Majesty misunderstands. Tonight is the gathering, and as Empress it is only proper that I remain by Your Majesty's side."

Theodric gave no response.

Isla let out a soft sigh, then continued with gentle patience. "Your Majesty's wisdom surely sees that tonight's matter was entirely the doing of Daphne. Alaric has always been a straightforward child. He knew nothing of it. After his earlier mistake, Your Majesty has already confined him to the Crown Prince's Wing for quite some time, and he has come to understand his fault. What happened tonight was merely the result of Daphne's reckless actions dragging him into the matter."

"The Crown Prince may have known nothing about tonight," Theodric said suddenly.

Then he turned his head slightly and looked at her.

"But what about you, Isla? Did you know nothing either?"

Isla froze for a brief moment.

"During tonight's banquet, you and Daphne were practically echoing one another's words," Theodric continued coldly. "Did you truly believe I could not see through it?"

"Your Majesty, I..."

"And your Baker family," Theodric added, his eyes narrowing. "These past weeks you have grown remarkably close with the Garrett household, with Daphne, and with the entire Garrett family. Do you imagine that I have not noticed?"

His voice lowered, carrying a quiet warning.

Fear spread instantly across Isla's face.

"I would never dare."

Theodric let out a cold laugh and turned away.

"You will not attend me tonight. I will spend the evening in Elira's palace."

Isla no longer dared to speak. She could only watch as Theodric walked away, his figure gradually disappearing down the long corridor beyond the hall.

Daphne.

At that moment, Isla wished she could kill that foolish woman herself.

Even so, she understood the truth of what had happened tonight.

Daphne had indeed been foolish, but she had also clearly stepped straight into a carefully prepared trap.

Elowen.

Isla's gaze darkened.

She had underestimated that young woman.

Theodric had always trusted Cassian deeply. More than once he had spoken openly of how he would not object if the crown someday passed to Cassian instead.

It was only the court ministers who had protested, insisting that Cassian had no heir and that a ruler without descendants would threaten the stability of the realm.

Yet now Elowen was carrying Cassian's child.

If that child were born safely into the world, then the future of the throne might very well shift into the hands of that couple.

And there was still the matter of Cassian's legs.

If Cassian were ever to discover the truth behind what had happened to them, the Baker family would undoubtedly face his full wrath.

Isla clenched her teeth.

She could not afford to sit still and wait for disaster to arrive.

By the time Elowen and Cassian returned to Duskmoor Manor, the night had grown quite late. Even so, the manor remained brightly lit, lanterns glowing warmly beneath the eaves and along the stone paths. Festive decorations hung throughout the courtyards, reminding everyone that it was still the night of the celebration.

Gerda stepped forward to greet them.

"Your Grace," she said respectfully to Elowen, "Martha has been waiting here for you."

Elowen looked slightly surprised.

When she entered Stillwater Court, she immediately saw the plump cook standing nearby.

The moment Martha noticed Elowen and Cassian, she quickly wiped her hands on her apron and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Grace."

Elowen smiled faintly at her.

"It's Christmas Eve. Why didn't you return home to celebrate with your family? I gave everyone leave today."

Among the servants of Duskmoor Manor, some had no families left and were bound to the household for life, such as Anson, Mira, Cora, and Gerda.

Others worked under ordinary service contracts. The kitchen staff, including Martha, belonged to this group, which meant they were free to return home once their duties were finished.

Because it was Christmas Eve, Elowen had granted leave to many of them.

In her mind, a holiday meant for family reunions should be spent with loved ones whenever possible, and she was more than happy to make that possible for them.

Martha scratched the back of her head and gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

"I felt a little uneasy staying home, Your Grace. I was worried I might not have handled the matter properly."

She was referring to what had happened earlier that evening.

A few days before, Martha had suddenly asked to see Elowen and explained everything in careful detail.

"Your Grace, there's a neighbor from my hometown who now works in the kitchen at the Baker estate. Around noon today she came looking for me and asked whether I might want to earn a bit of extra money. She said someone outside greatly admired the Duchess of Duskmoor and was willing to pay five dollars just to hear about Your Grace's recent situation."

Elowen had found the wording rather amusing.

"That is certainly a clever way of putting it."

Instead of asking questions directly, they had disguised the request as admiration.

Though the price itself seemed rather stingy.

Only five dollars?

"My monthly wages from Your Grace are already three dollars," Martha had said proudly at the time. "And not long ago His Grace praised my bread dough and rewarded me with fifty dollars."

Her face had been bright with satisfaction.

"Fifty dollars could support my entire family for years. Compared to that, five coins truly isn't worth my attention."

Hearing those words, Elowen had looked at her with clear approval in her eyes.