Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 389: A Morning Visitor

Elowen understood that she always had to think a step ahead.

If resentment or suspicion ever began to point toward her, the safest strategy was to redirect it before it took root, turning that tension inward so it would fracture among the people creating the trouble.

Beatrice had approached her at exactly the right moment, which allowed Elowen to guide events quietly into a trap that looked completely natural.

Judging by the outcome, the arrangement had worked beautifully.

After that incident, life inside Duskmoor Manor became noticeably calmer.

That morning, while Elowen and Cassian were eating breakfast together, Bran stepped in from outside. His expression looked hesitant, and he kept stealing glances at Cassian as though he wanted to speak but could not quite decide how.

Cassian noticed immediately.

He lifted a brow and looked at him with mild curiosity. "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"

Bran hurriedly waved his hands.

"No, Your Grace. That is not it. It is just that... someone has come to visit the manor."

Cassian let out an amused breath. "When has this place ever been short on visitors?"

Bran lowered his voice. "The person who arrived today is Lady Aveline."

Cassian paused briefly. Understanding came to him at once.

Now he knew why Bran had hesitated.

Aveline had a son she treasured above everything else, a young man named Kaelan.

And Kaelan happened to be someone who had once harbored feelings for Cassian's cherished duchess.

Bran asked cautiously, "Your Grace, would you like to receive her?"

Cassian looked at him with faint disbelief. "Are you trying to insult me?"

Bran blinked in confusion for a moment before panic set in. "No, no. That is not what I meant. I was asking whether we should receive Aveline."

Cassian gave a low chuckle.

"Why ask me? Ask the duchess. Do you honestly think Aveline came here at this hour to see me?"

Bran instinctively glanced toward Elowen.

Elowen lifted her gaze. Her expression remained perfectly calm, and a composed smile appeared on her lips.

"Since Aveline came personally, there is no reason not to meet her," she said. "Please escort her to the Great Hall and invite her to sit for a moment. I will be there shortly."

After speaking, she set down her bowl and spoon and made as if to stand.

Cassian looked at the bowl of oatmeal she had not finished. His brows drew together slightly.

"Are you full already?"

"Not yet."

Elowen grinned at him. "I will meet Aveline first and then come back."

Cassian had only begun to frown when Elowen's voice softened immediately. "Cassian, wait for me here. I will be quick, alright?"

Cassian looked at her quietly.

When his wife spoke in that gentle, coaxing tone, there was no room left for irritation. Any trace of temper dissolved before it could even appear.

All he could do was answer with helpless affection. "Alright."

Elowen's eyes curved into a bright smile as she stood and headed toward the Great Hall.

The moment Aveline saw her enter, she rose from her chair immediately.

"Your Grace."

Elowen glanced at her and could not help feeling slightly surprised.

Aveline wore no cosmetics today, and her clothing was unusually plain. Her complexion looked poor. Her face was pale and worn, with clear shadows beneath her eyes.

"Aveline," Elowen greeted with a polite smile.

She gestured for her guest to sit before taking the seat of honor herself.

Without wasting time on pleasantries, Elowen asked directly, "You came so early this morning. Is something urgent?"

Aveline sighed deeply, exhaustion evident in her voice.

"I will speak honestly, Duchess. I came today because of my disappointing son, Kaelan."

Elowen remained calm and attentive. "Please go on."

Aveline forced the words out with visible difficulty. "Kaelan has long held feelings for you that he never should have had."

Her voice trembled slightly. "But he understands that you are now His Grace's lawful wife and the mistress of Duskmoor Manor, so he has never allowed himself to act improperly. He spends every day at home preparing for the royal examinations in the spring."

She paused briefly.

"I know he has always carried you in his heart. When we heard the news that you were expecting a child, I deliberately kept it from him because I feared he would not be able to bear the shock."

Her throat tightened.

"Yet somehow, two days ago, he learned about it from somewhere. Since then he has completely collapsed. He has been burning with fever and drifting in and out of consciousness. A royal physician examined him and said the illness comes from deep distress of the heart combined with a chill. The sickness came on suddenly and violently."

Tears gathered in her eyes.

"I truly do not know what else to do. I hoped the duchess might show some compassion and come with me. Even if you only see him briefly and speak a few words to persuade him to take care of himself, at least it might help him hold on to his life."

By the time she finished speaking, her eyes were glistening with tears.

Elowen listened quietly and frowned faintly.

"Aveline," she said gently, "I am not some breathtaking beauty capable of enchanting the entire world. It seems unlikely that someone would become so deeply attached to me. Could Kaelan perhaps be troubled by something else?"

Aveline shook her head through her tears.

"How could that be? He studies for the examinations every day. Whatever he needs, I provide it. Other than you, what worry could he possibly have?"

Elowen considered the situation for a moment but could not find a clear answer. In the end, she sighed softly. "In that case, I will go with you and take a look."

Aveline's face brightened with relief. "Truly? The duchess is willing?"

Elowen nodded. "Of course."

When Ember, the young horse, had once been in danger, Kaelan had been the only person who stepped forward to help.

Although things had not ended well afterward, Elowen had never forgotten that act of courage.

She added with a slightly apologetic smile, "However, I must trouble you to wait a little longer. I was still having breakfast just now, and His Grace is waiting for me."

Aveline nodded repeatedly. "That is perfectly fine. I can wait. Please take your time, Duchess. There is no hurry."