Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 381: A Brother's Quiet Move

After waiting patiently until the laughter had mostly faded, Cassian lifted his cup and took a slow sip before speaking again.

"Now that I think about it," he said in an even tone, "Ella and I are fortunate to receive such care from my brother. In truth, we should also thank Her Majesty."

Theodric seemed to be in excellent spirits and responded casually. "Oh? And why is that?"

Cassian set the cup down with unhurried composure.

"I heard that yesterday Your Majesty personally ordered several senior attendants and palace servants to be sent to our residence. It seems the idea originally came from Her Majesty."

Theodric nodded.

"That's right. On Christmas Eve I was so furious with that useless woman from the Garrett family that I only remembered to reward the two of you with gold and jewels. It completely slipped my mind that your household is about to welcome a child and will need capable attendants."

He chuckled faintly. "Fortunately Isla is thoughtful. She mentioned it at just the right moment. Otherwise I truly would have been negligent as an elder brother."

Cassian inclined his head slightly. "Her Majesty's contributions do not end there."

He continued calmly, "I have also heard that news of the Duchess of Duskmoor's pregnancy has already spread across all of Vanelle. It seems Her Majesty wished to share the happy news widely so the people might celebrate along with us."

Theodric's brows, which had only just relaxed, slowly drew together again.

He was no foolish ruler. A man who had spent decades at the center of power could hardly fail to understand the meaning behind Cassian's words.

His gaze deepened as his fingers tapped lightly against the desk before him.

"That arrangement of hers was not mentioned to me earlier."

His voice slowed with careful thought. "So those matters were entirely Isla's doing."

Cassian nodded lightly.

"That would seem to be the case. Perhaps after the Crown Princess was stripped of her title and the Crown Prince confined to the Crown Prince's Wing, Her Majesty began to view me with a certain degree of caution."

Theodric frowned slightly as he looked toward Cassian.

"If you feel uneasy about the people sent to your residence, I can issue an order at once and have them recalled. I will select another group with clean records and trustworthy backgrounds to send instead."

Cassian shook his head. "There is no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself. Ella has already made suitable arrangements for everyone who arrived from the palace."

Theodric raised his brows with interest. "The duchess arranged it?"

Cassian's lips curved faintly.

"Yes. The household is entirely under her management now. Everything runs smoothly and in perfect order."

Theodric turned toward Elowen, his expression openly approving. "You may be young, but you have remarkable ability."

Elowen lowered her gaze with a shy smile. "Your Majesty is too generous with praise. I merely observed how my mother and my sister-in-law managed their households and learned a few small things from them."

Her mother was someone Theodric knew little about beyond the fact that her family name had been Wynne.

Her sister-in-law, however, was another matter. "Your sister-in-law shares the same family background as Elira."

Elowen nodded. "Yes."

Theodric spoke without hesitation.

"Elira may appear gentle and soft-spoken, yet she governs the palace with considerable skill. It seems that talent runs in the family."

He leaned back slightly. "Tell me, how exactly did you arrange the people sent from the palace?"

Elowen hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

Cassian calmly spoke in her place.

"The attendants sent by Her Majesty and by Lady Elira were assigned to minor posts with little responsibility."

Theodric glanced sideways. "And the ones I personally selected?"

Cassian replied with complete honesty, "They were given the same arrangement."

Elowen blinked. Then she turned and shot Cassian an incredulous glare.

Have you completely lost your mind?

You might not value your life, but I certainly value mine.

To her surprise, Theodric suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Elowen looked up in confusion.

Theodric's expression showed no trace of forced politeness. He was clearly amused and genuinely entertained by the answer.

Elowen glanced back at Cassian.

He was smiling as well, his eyes resting lightly on her face.

"Did that frighten you?"

Elowen nodded slowly, then shook her head again.

Cassian lifted his hand and brushed his thumb lightly across her cheek. "I was joking. There's nothing to worry about."

A moment later, understanding dawned on her.

Although Theodric ruled the empire and Cassian served him, at their core they were still brothers.

Cassian could speak far more freely with him than anyone else would dare. Even a remark like that could be treated as a joke.

Theodric did not consider it disrespectful. He listened. And he laughed.

A quiet feeling of envy stirred in Elowen's heart.

She once had a brother too.

Most brothers and sisters were probably like this. When they were together they argued and irritated each other endlessly. Yet once they were apart, the longing only grew stronger.

Whenever Elowen quarreled with someone or found herself in trouble, Julian always stood firmly at her side, ready to support her without asking who was right or wrong.

If anyone dared to bully her, the tears in Elowen's eyes would barely have time to gather before Julian's spear had already sent the offender sprawling across the ground.

Once, in a moment of childish anger, Elowen had declared, "You're the most annoying brother in the world!"

Only later did she realize the truth.

Julian had actually been the best brother anyone could ask for. And the only brother she had.

Now she missed him terribly.

At the Crown Prince's Wing, the previous day had been the Christmas day.

As Crown Prince, Alaric had been required to preside over a long series of ceremonies and formal greetings. The obligations stretched endlessly until well past midnight.

By the time he finally returned to his chambers, exhaustion overtook him almost instantly the moment his head touched the pillow.

In his dream, Elowen was still his Crown Princess.