Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 407: The Reveal

Finn nodded quickly and leaned in a little, lowering his voice like he was offering sincere advice. "Your Grace, that story you picked up earlier really isn't worth your time. If you'll take a humble suggestion, go home and get rid of it. Toss it in the hearth and be done with it. No reason to let something like that ruin your evening. I'll return the money to you shortly."

"There's no need," Elowen said calmly, steering the conversation elsewhere. "I came today for something different."

Finn straightened at once, hand pressed to his chest. "Whatever it is, Your Grace, if it's within my ability, I'll see it handled properly."

She glanced around the shop floor. "Let's step inside."

Once they entered the back room, Elowen motioned for Mira and the others to remain outside.

With the door closed and only the two of them inside, she took a moment before speaking, weighing her words. "I have a friend who recently finished writing a story. She's thinking of having it printed and sold, but it's been a long time since she's worked with any bookshops, so she isn't sure who's reliable these days."

The moment Finn heard this, his whole demeanor shifted, alert and eager. "A friend of Your Grace must have real talent. Do you happen to have the manuscript with you? Let me take a look first. If it's strong, I'll do everything I can here, small as my shop may be, to see it properly published for you and your friend."

Elowen handed him the manuscript she had been holding. "This is the one."

Finn quickly wiped his palms against his tunic before taking it carefully with both hands. He opened to the first page with visible respect.

After reading only a few lines, his eyes widened, and he looked up at her in disbelief. "Your Grace... you're Azure?"

Elowen paused, clearly caught off guard.

Finn froze, realizing what he had just blurted out. "No, I mean... Your Grace, your friend... is Azure?"

Elowen said nothing, simply watching him.

Under that steady gaze, Finn grew flustered, letting out an awkward laugh as he scratched the back of his head.

A faint smile curved at her lips. "Since we'll be working together, there's no reason to keep this hidden. Yes. The friend I mentioned is me."

Finn stared at her for a heartbeat, then nearly bounced in place. "It really is you!"

"How did you recognize it?"

"It's the handwriting, Your Grace. I once had the rare chance to see one of Azure's original drafts. I never forgot it. The way the letters flow, the balance, the confidence in every stroke. This manuscript is exactly the same."

Elowen nodded lightly. "That explains it."

Finn looked at her with open admiration. "Your Grace, you might not realize this, but you're my favorite writer. My wife feels the same way. Truth be told, we met because of Tales of Luminara. We kept running into each other over that book, and before long, we found ourselves building a life together. We even named our youngest daughter Lumi."

A quiet warmth spread through Elowen's chest.

She smiled, her expression soft. "I'm honored."

Finn continued, growing more animated. "You haven't released anything in years. My wife and I always felt something was missing. People came up with all kinds of rumors. At one point, they claimed the Crown Princess was Azure, but I read that story, and it didn't hold a candle to your work. I said right away it couldn't be true, and it turns out I was right."

His voice thickened with emotion. "I never thought I'd see the day you wrote again. And now I'm standing here, holding your new manuscript."

Elowen let out a small, easy laugh. "I simply didn't have the time before, and nothing really pushed me to write."

She nodded toward the pages in his hands. "Go on, take a proper look. If you think it works, we can talk about what comes next."

"Of course, Your Grace."

Finn adjusted his posture, suddenly serious, and began reading from the first page again.

He quickly became absorbed.

Watching him, Elowen felt her own nerves creep in.

What if he doesn't like it? What if I misjudged it completely?

Even the scenes she had once felt proud of now seemed less certain in her mind.

Then suddenly, Finn let out a quiet laugh.

Her fingers tightened slightly.

As he kept reading, his eyes gradually reddened. He lifted a hand and brushed them quickly, clearly trying to hide it.

Time passed.

At last, he reached the final page. He stared at the closing lines for a long while without speaking.

Elowen pressed her lips together. "If it doesn't work, you can say so. Just... be a little gentle about it. I can handle it, but I'd still rather not hear it too harshly."

Finn blinked, as if snapping back to himself, and looked up at her. "Your Grace, this manuscript..."