Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 371: Whispered Worries

Rowena's gaze drifted down to Elowen's midsection as she asked softly, "At a glance, you can't tell at all."

Elowen replied, "It hasn't even been three months yet."

Rowena blinked in surprise. "Still that early?"

Elowen let out a quiet sigh. "Last night I really had no choice. The former Crown Princess kept pressing and provoking me. I had to reveal the pregnancy."

Rowena caught the key point immediately. "The former Crown Princess?"

Tilting her head, Elowen said, "Didn't Adrian mention it? At the banquet in the palace last night, Daphne offended His Majesty. She's already been stripped of her title as Crown Princess and confined to the Secluded Wing."

Rowena's brows knit together. "That... I hadn't heard."

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Bran walked straight in and bowed respectfully. "Your Grace, Your Grace. Lord Jett has arrived."

Cassian inclined his head slightly. "Show him in."

When Quin entered, four well-dressed matrons followed behind him, their expressions composed and respectful. Several servants and maids remained outside the doorway.

Quin stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings to Your Grace."

Elowen asked, "Lord Jett, why have you brought so many people?"

Quin smiled as he answered, "Last night, when His Majesty learned that Your Grace is expecting, he was overjoyed. In his excitement, he remembered to grant gold and jewels, but forgot about these matters. It wasn't until this morning, when Her Majesty went to pay her respects and mentioned it, that His Majesty realized he ought to send capable attendants to care for Your Grace."

A flicker passed through Elowen's thoughts. "Were these people chosen by Her Majesty?"

Quin replied, "Her Majesty does not currently oversee the inner palace, but she recommended a few. Beatrice and Margery have both served several princes and princesses before. There are also a few honest and steady maids. Lady Elira, who now holds the Queen's Privy Seal, recommended several as well. As for the rest, I selected them according to His Majesty's instructions."

As he spoke, Quin presented a carefully recorded roster.

Elowen accepted it with a gentle smile. "You've worked hard, Lord Jett. Please be sure to convey my thanks to His Majesty, Her Majesty, and Lady Elira."

Quin nodded cheerfully. "Of course."

Holding the roster in her hand, Elowen thought silently.

There are so many different people backing them. Untangling all of that would be a real headache.

Warren spoke up beside them with admiration. "His Majesty truly keeps Your Grace in his thoughts. And Her Majesty is so gracious and virtuous."

Elowen's mind turned over the words. Whether she is truly being gracious or has other motives... that remains to be seen.

After offering a few more instructions, Quin took his leave and returned to the palace to report.

For the moment, Elowen could not determine the background of these new servants, so she simply instructed Gerda to take them away and arrange quarters first.

Cassian knew that Elowen and Rowena had once been close. Wishing to give them some private time to talk about matters of the inner chambers, he called to Warren and steered him toward the study.

Elowen glanced sideways at Elara.

In the past, Elara would have found every possible excuse to follow them to the study, just to steal another glimpse of Cassian.

Yet today she did not even lift her head.

And it did not look like she was pretending.

How strange.

Had the Christmas truly changed Elara's nature?

"Your Grace, there's something I should tell you."

Rowena spoke gently.

Elowen turned toward her. "What is it?"

"To be honest, my husband and Adrian are barely acquaintances. They've hardly seen each other in years. Yet today Adrian was unusually enthusiastic, pulling him aside to talk for quite a while. The conversation circled around and eventually came to Your Grace. He even mentioned your pregnancy. At the time I was happy to hear it, of course. But afterward, the more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed. It almost felt as though Adrian intentionally wanted us to know."

Elowen paused.

"Afterward we stopped by the church and overheard several people talking. A few of them were discussing Your Grace's pregnancy as well. The news spread far too quickly. That's why I thought it best to come tell you right away, so I brought my husband with me."

At that, Elowen laughed softly. "Lieutenant Wrenner clearly didn't think that far ahead. You're the observant one."

At the mention of her husband, Rowena's expression turned faintly disdainful.

"He's hopelessly simple. Otherwise, how could he have been captured by the Nordians and held there for so many years? That man... someone could cheat him blind and he'd probably still thank them for it."

She shook her head with a sigh.

"Sometimes I even think that living as foolishly as he does might actually make life rather carefree."

Elowen could not help laughing.

Rowena was still just as clever and amusing as ever. "Enough about him."

Rowena turned serious again and looked at Elowen with concern. "We just saw Lord Jett. If the queen persuaded His Majesty to send all these attendants to serve you, this will soon become common knowledge. When that happens, Duskmoor Manor and Your Grace may appear dazzling and favored, but in truth you'll become the focus of everyone's attention."

She lowered her voice slightly.

"Your Grace, you must be careful from now on. Your Grace has always been kind. You never resented my daughter's admiration for His Grace. Instead, you've shown patience and consideration. I'm deeply grateful for that. The three of us were able to spend the Christmas in Vanelle thanks to Your Grace's generosity."