Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 406: The First Move

Her voice had barely faded when the familiar sound of wheels rolling across polished wood approached from the corridor.

Cassian entered seated, maintaining the appearance he had chosen to present to the outside world.

The door closed behind him.

Without hesitation, he rose to his feet and crossed the room, reaching for the bed curtains and drawing them back with an easy, practiced motion. "You're awake."

The moment Elowen saw him, everything from the night before came rushing back with startling clarity.

Her face flushed instantly.

Cassian noticed at once, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Still embarrassed?"

He brushed his fingers lightly along her cheek, the warmth beneath his touch unmistakable.

Elowen covered her face, her voice slipping through her fingers. "I can't stop replaying it. This is entirely your fault."

His smile deepened. "You'll get used to it, Ella."

Then, as if nothing about the moment was unusual, he reached for the clothes set aside nearby. "Are you hungry? I had them prepare something light. You should eat before you start your day."

He began helping her dress with quiet efficiency, movements unhurried and natural.

Elowen hesitated, then looked up at him, still flushed. "When you said I'd get used to it... what exactly did you mean? That this is going to be... frequent?"

Cassian gave a soft laugh. "Not quite."

She relaxed, just a little.

No... that'd be too much.

Cassian adjusted the outer layer over her shoulders, his tone turning thoughtful. "What I meant is that there is more than one way to approach it. There is no reason to repeat the same thing every time."

Elowen stared at him, speechless.

Several seconds passed before she managed, under her breath, "You are unbelievable."

It was meant as criticism.

It did not sound like it.

Cassian seemed entirely pleased as he rested a steady hand against her back. "Sit up a little. Let me finish."

Her face still warm, she complied.

After breakfast, Elowen worked through the household accounts before settling down with a book.

Halfway through, her attention drifted.

Her gaze lifted toward the shelves.

The story in her hands was decent, but it did not hold her the way her own writing did.

She set it aside.

Using the excuse that she needed uninterrupted quiet, she dismissed the attendants from the room.

Once she was alone, she crossed to the shelves and opened the hidden compartment with practiced ease.

She looked inside.

Then frowned. Something was off. The manuscript did not sit quite the way she remembered leaving it.

Wait... did someone actually go through this? Or am I misremembering?

Lately, her thoughts had not been as sharp as they once were. Details slipped more easily. Reactions lagged behind where they should have been.

Maybe I'm imagining it.

Even so, caution won out.

She decided she would ask discreetly later.

For now, she took the manuscript and returned to the window, settling into the light to read through it again from beginning to end.

The more she read, the more certain she became.

It was far stronger than Tales of Luminara. The urge rose again, stronger this time.

She wanted it published. She wanted it read.

Willow Breeze Bookshop was no longer an option. That door had closed.

After a moment's thought, she wrapped the manuscript carefully and called out, "Anson."

He entered promptly. "Your Grace."

"The man I asked you about yesterday. Finn. What did you find?"

"His background is clean, Your Grace," Anson replied. "He supports an elderly mother and has a wife and two young children. His family has experience with engraving and printing, and he is literate."

Relief eased through her.

That was exactly what she needed.

She rose at once, the wrapped manuscript held close. "Prepare a carriage. I'm going out."

The carriage rolled out from Duskmoor Manor and made its way to Cloudmere Lane, stopping in front of a modest bookshop.

The moment Elowen stepped down, Finn rushed out to meet her.

He stopped short in front of her, visibly shaken, hands clasped tightly as if bracing himself. "Your Grace, I owe you an apology. I made a serious mistake that day. I should never have sold you that book without checking it properly. If there is any punishment, I accept it. I only ask that you show mercy for the sake of my family."

Elowen blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I'm not here to hold you accountable for that. You can relax."

She gave him a look, slightly puzzled. "And there's no need to make it sound like a confession at trial."

Finn searched her expression, trying to gauge whether she meant it.

Slowly, he let out a breath.

"Your Grace... you haven't read The Begonia Hairpin, have you?"

Elowen kept her expression steady. Not only did I read it... Cassian actually read it out loud.

Outwardly, she remained composed. "Not yet. Why do you ask?"

Finn's entire posture loosened with relief. "That's good. That's very good."

He forced a small laugh. "No reason. Just thought I should check."

Elowen gave a casual nod. "I bought quite a few books that day. I haven't gotten through all of them yet."