Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 387: The Trap

"It's nothing," Elowen said with a faint smile as she settled back into her chair and returned her attention to the book resting in her hands.

Rosaline did not press the matter further. She withdrew quietly from the room, firmly pulling Seren along with her when she stepped into the corridor.

Their voices carried faintly through the half-closed door.

Rosaline's tone was sharp with irritation.

"It's already dark outside, and Her Grace is still reading in the study. How could you not think to bring more candles? Haven't you learned even that much?"

Seren muttered under her breath, clearly displeased.

"She doesn't care about us anyway. Why should we run over there trying to serve her?"

Rosaline immediately snapped at her.

"Watch what you're saying. She is the Duchess of Duskmoor. You are a servant in this household."

What followed sounded like a stern lecture. Their footsteps gradually moved farther down the corridor, and before long their voices faded beyond hearing. Elowen could no longer make out what Rosaline continued saying to her sister.

The following morning, just after Elowen woke, faint voices drifted through the window.

Gerda stood outside in the courtyard scolding two young attendants who had come from the palace. From the sound of it, they had carried out their work carelessly and without the attention expected of them.

Inside the chamber, Cassian stood behind Elowen, slowly arranging her long hair as he drew a comb through the dark strands.

A quiet smile appeared on his face.

"You've set quite a few things in motion," he said lightly. "When do you intend to reveal the outcome?"

Elowen's eyes curved with amusement. "Very soon."

After a brief pause, she added thoughtfully, "Still, there is something worth mentioning. Rosaline, the attendant who came from Lady Elira's household, handles her duties carefully. She has never shown even the slightest complaint, and every task she receives is completed properly."

Cassian gave a small nod. "Lady Elira has always been skilled at training people."

He then glanced toward the cloak rack nearby. "Ella, which cloak would you like today?"

Elowen considered for a moment before answering. "The amber one. It gives a more commanding impression."

Cassian let out a low chuckle and leaned forward to kiss the corner of her lips. "Ella looks commanding no matter what she wears."

Elowen lowered her voice slightly. "Really?"

Cassian appeared to think for a moment, his gaze deepening with playful intent.

"There might be an exception."

His tone remained calm.

"If you were wearing nothing at all, dignity would probably disappear rather quickly. And if you were dressed in nothing but a silk underlayer, dignity would still be difficult to maintain. That would look far too tempting."

Elowen's face instantly flushed bright red. She quickly covered his mouth with her hand.

"I'm carrying a child," she protested softly. "You are absolutely not allowed to say things like that in front of the baby."

After finishing their preparations, the two of them shared breakfast together.

When the meal ended, Elowen ordered a chair brought out beneath the covered corridor overlooking the courtyard. She then had all the attendants who had come from the palace summoned before her.

When the message reached them, the reaction was far from enthusiastic.

They gathered in loose clusters, slowly making their way toward the courtyard in small groups. Complaints and grumbling rose along the path.

"The tasks here are assigned without any thought, and not a single coin of reward has been given. Back in the palace we were respected members of the household, yet here at Duskmoor Manor we are treated as if we are beneath everyone else. What kind of future does that leave us?"

"Exactly. We cannot even get close to the real masters of the house. All we ever do are meaningless errands."

"At least Beatrice warned us ahead of time. Otherwise we would still be working ourselves to exhaustion for nothing."

Beatrice walked at the center of the group, surrounded by people speaking with admiration and complaint.

Listening to them filled her with quiet satisfaction.

This was precisely the outcome she had hoped for. It was also the result Isla had instructed her to achieve.

Even so, her outward expression remained humble.

"Oh please, don't say things like that," she replied with a soft sigh, waving her hands modestly. "We are all servants in the end. There is no need to thank me. I simply could not bear watching everyone be treated unfairly."

Then she added with an expression of concern.

"Still, she is the Duchess of Duskmoor, and we were personally sent here by His Majesty and Her Majesty. We represent the dignity of the palace. Even if Her Grace is young and occasionally overlooks us, we cannot allow the reputation of His Majesty and Her Majesty to suffer. At the very least we must continue carrying out our duties so that appearances remain respectable."

Her words sounded thoughtful and balanced, the kind of speech that made her seem considerate and responsible.

The surrounding attendants immediately began praising her.

"Beatrice truly has a generous heart."

"Not long ago the Duchess embarrassed her in front of everyone, and yet she still speaks so fairly. I cannot help feeling angry on her behalf."

"In the future we should stay close to Beatrice. At least she will guide us."

The satisfaction in Beatrice's eyes was almost impossible to conceal.

By the time the group finally arrived in the courtyard, their formation had become completely disorganized.

Some stood in scattered clusters while others drifted off to the side. Nothing remained of the orderly arrangement they had shown only a few days earlier.

Edith stood behind Elowen, watching the entire scene with a stern expression.

Her voice rang out sharply.

"You were all trained in the palace, yet look at the attitude you are showing here. The expressions on your faces and the way you carry yourselves. Have you forgotten every rule you were taught?"

Toward the back of the group, one of the younger attendants muttered under his breath.

"Of course the ones who received money stand tall. The rest of us have not received a single coin. Hard to look energetic when your stomach is empty."

Edith's eyes flashed with anger as her sharp gaze swept across the crowd. "Who said that? Step forward."

The courtyard immediately became quiet.

At that moment, Elowen spoke gently from her seat, "If you truly have no desire to listen to me, then I will not force you."

Her gaze moved calmly across the gathered attendants. "Beatrice is here, isn't she?"

Beatrice had not expected to be singled out so suddenly. Her heart skipped, though she quickly stepped forward and inclined her head.

"I am here, Your Grace."