Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 373: Borrowed Strength

Elowen lowered her gaze to look at him.

Cassian wore an innocent expression and tapped his own leg. "Some of the people sent here are spies for Her Majesty and Lady Elira. I have to pretend I can't walk properly."

Elowen tilted her head. "And how exactly are those two things connected?"

But she did not linger on the question. A playful smile curved across her face.

"Still, Cassian, even if you weren't pretending, if you wanted me sitting on your lap, I'd gladly do it."

A quiet satisfaction warmed Cassian's chest. He leaned forward and kissed her lips.

The kiss left a faint blush on Elowen's cheeks. She rested her arms around his shoulders.

"...Actually, Mrs. Wrenner said something similar earlier."

"Hm?"

"She said Adrian deliberately told her about my pregnancy." Elowen spoke thoughtfully. "I think the Baker family knows Elara likes you. They probably believe jealousy might drive her to harm me or the child I'm carrying. And it seems they didn't only tell them. Now the entire city of Vanelle knows."

"She's always been perceptive," Cassian said simply. "Far more so than Lieutenant Wrenner."

He paused before adding, "The Baker family and Her Majesty act as one. This was her decision."

Elowen was not surprised.

"Of course. She can't sit by and watch the Crown Prince's Wing be suppressed forever. Only if her son becomes king can she become the Dowager Queen."

Cassian nodded. "Exactly."

"I have to admit," Elowen said, "it's a clever move. She earns praise in front of His Majesty and, at the same time, places watchers right here in our household."

Elowen had received two groups of visitors today and was beginning to feel the strain. As she spoke, she leaned forward and rested against Cassian's shoulder.

Cassian immediately turned his head toward her. "Tired?"

"Just a little," Elowen murmured.

"Then rest," Cassian said softly. "Ella."

Elowen frowned slightly. "But those people from the palace still need to be assigned their duties."

"I'll handle it," Cassian said easily.

"But I'm the Duchess here," Elowen muttered. "The household is my responsibility. If I hand it all over to you, wouldn't that be improper?"

Cassian thought for a moment. "Then I'll wear your clothes."

Elowen burst into laughter at that. Leaning against his shoulder, she brushed her cheek lightly against his neck.

Cassian carried a faint scent of soap, mixed with the gentle fragrance of the resin incense that often burned in their chambers. Beneath it lingered something distinctly his own, crisp and cool, like snow melting under the first breath of spring.

Elowen liked it very much. She could not resist taking a slow, deep breath.

After a moment's pause, she inhaled again.

Cassian chuckled. "Do I really smell that good?"

"Not exactly."

Elowen laughed under her breath. "I'm stealing your energy."

Cassian blinked. A crooked smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. "No wonder I suddenly feel tired."

He lowered his head slightly, his voice soft and teasing.

"I suppose I should take some back."

Then he kissed her. Elowen's eyes curved with quiet happiness. She wrapped her arms around Cassian's neck and kissed him back.

It was a long while before they finally pulled apart.

Cassian brushed his nose lightly against her cheek. He liked her far too much to resist. He kissed the corner of her mouth again.

"Hungry?" he asked gently. "Lunch will be soon. I'll cook something for you."

Elowen tilted her head. "But Your Grace is supposed to be limping right now. Wouldn't cooking expose the act?"

Cassian looked unconcerned. "Even a cripple can cook."

Elowen laughed.

"No need. You've been cooking for me lately, but we do have Martha in the kitchen. We pay her well. If she never gets to do any work, she'll feel uneasy. And she's an excellent cook. I really like her food."

She added, "I heard she came early this morning. It's the first day of the Christmas."

Cassian's lips curved slightly.

"That's because you're easy to like. She's fond of you as her Duchess and worried you might go hungry."

Elowen flushed faintly at the praise. Before she could say anything, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside.

"Your Grace! Your Grace, something's wrong!"

Mira's voice came breathless from beyond the door. "Martha and Beatrice are arguing in the kitchen!"

Elowen froze.

Beatrice?

If she remembered correctly, Beatrice had only arrived today with Quin. She had also been recommended by Isla.

And she is already arguing with someone in the household?

Elowen frowned.

A flicker of anger passed through Cassian's eyes. His voice turned cold.

"A servant wouldn't dare cause trouble on her first day here without someone behind her."

Elowen understood immediately. She stood up.

"I'll go take a look."

Cassian moved as if to follow, but Elowen shook her head gently.

"I'll see what's happening first. If I can't handle something this small, then I don't deserve to be your Duchess."

She paused, then added with a small smile.

"And if I can't manage it, I'll secretly send Anson to fetch you as reinforcements. When that happens, Cassian, you must come save me."

The corner of Cassian's mouth lifted. He squeezed her fingers lightly. "Deal."

Elowen left with Mira, heading toward the kitchen.