Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 370: A Chance Encounter

"Your Grace." At that moment Anson stepped inside from outside.

He had just returned from sending out Elowen's letter.

"Lieutenant Wrenner has arrived with his wife and daughter," he reported. "They say they've come to offer greetings."

Zachary understood immediately and rose to his feet. "In that case, since Your Grace has guests arriving, my sister and I will take our leave."

"All right," Elowen said with a smile. "I won't see you out. Travel safely."

Zachary led Flowira away the same way they had entered.

Around that same time, Lieutenant Wrenner and his family arrived at the manor.

Elara walked behind her parents with her head lowered. Her steps were unsteady, as if her thoughts were somewhere far away.

She had spent the Christmas at the nearby estate. Being so close to Cassian had secretly filled her with joy.

In Tales of Luminara, the author Azure had once written something she treated like sacred truth.

Azure wrote, If you love someone with enough persistence, the clouds will part eventually, and the moon will appear.

But early that morning, news spread from the palace.

Something had happened during the Christmas Eve banquet. First, the Crown Princess had been stripped of her title. Second, the Duchess of Duskmoor was expecting a child.

The news struck Elara like a thunderclap.

With an heir on the way, Elowen's position at Duskmoor Manor would only become more secure.

And her own love... Didn't that mean it had no future at all?

Today was the Christmas day. Elara followed her parents to Duskmoor Manor to offer greetings, her heart cold and hollow.

She couldn't even force a smile. She would never marry Cassian.

And from now on, she would probably never love anyone this deeply again.

Lost in thought, she accidentally stepped on a smooth pebble beneath her shoe. Her balance slipped.

A startled cry caught in her throat as her body tipped backward.

She was certain she was about to fall hard. But suddenly an arm caught her firmly at the back.

"Careful, miss."

The voice was clear and pleasant. Still shaken, Elara lifted her eyes.

They met a pair of deep green eyes.

The person holding her was a young gentleman dressed in a pale silver robe, a gray traveling cloak draped over his shoulders. His features were refined and luminous, the kind of beauty that drew attention instantly.

Once she steadied herself, he released her at once.

He stepped back two paces, leaving a proper distance between them, his manners impeccable.

Elara felt as if something had slammed straight into her chest.

Heat crept onto her cheeks. She lowered her lashes, her voice barely audible.

"Th... thank you."

Zachary smiled gently. "It was nothing. Please don't worry about it."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Elara stood there with flushed cheeks, unable to resist watching his retreating figure for several moments.

Her love... It seemed to have returned.

Hugh heard that more guests had arrived and decided not to linger. He picked up the medicine bowl and left.

Elowen had finished the medicine, though several candied plums remained on the small dish.

They were honey-preserved plums, plump and pleasantly sweet with just a hint of tartness.

She couldn't resist and ate them slowly, one after another.

"Your Grace, congratulations!"

The voice arrived before the man himself. Lieutenant Wrenner strode in with booming laughter.

"I heard the wonderful news that the Duchess is expecting. Our whole family came to offer congratulations!"

Elowen looked puzzled.

How did Lieutenant Wrenner hear about my pregnancy so quickly?

Cassian asked, "You've already heard?"

Warren laughed. "I think half of Vanelle already knows." Cassian's eyes narrowed slightly. "And who told you?"

The lieutenant scratched his head. "That part I can't quite remember..."

Rowena proved more reliable. She smiled and explained.

"This morning we went to the church to offer prayers. On the way we ran into Adrian Baker. He mentioned it."

"Adrian Baker?" Cassian repeated quietly, tapping his finger lightly against the table.

"Yes," Rowena continued. "The youngest cousin of Her Majesty. I hear he currently serves at the Ministry of Rites."

Elowen tilted her head and looked at Cassian.

Cassian was already looking at her.

Their expressions were nearly identical, each carrying a trace of something subtle and complicated.

Warren, oblivious, continued cheerfully.

"At first I thought the Duchess must be resting after yesterday's banquet and suggested we visit later. But my wife insisted that good news should be congratulated as soon as possible, so here we are."

Elowen smiled.

"You're very thoughtful, Mrs. Wrenner."

"We came in such a rush we didn't have time to prepare anything grand," Warren said, giving a sheepish grin. "But this morning we did ask the church for a blessing charm, and we brought along an old mountain ginseng root. It may not be rare, but... it's offered with a sincere heart."

He presented both items to Elowen. Given Cassian's rank, Duskmoor Manor lacked for nothing.

But sincerity mattered most. Elowen accepted the gifts with a smile.

"I like them very much. Please, sit. Let's talk for a while."

Cora soon brought coffee along with several delicate pastries.

As Elowen watched, she noticed Elara lifting her cup and taking small sips. Yet her gaze kept drifting toward the doorway outside.

The gesture surprised Elowen.

In the past, Elara's eyes had always found Cassian whenever she had the chance.

"Your Grace," Rowena asked politely, "how many months along are you now?"