Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 410: No More Secrets

But Cassian heard her.

He paused for a brief moment, then let a look of surprise settle naturally across his face. "What? Ella, that was you? You're serious?"

Elowen went quiet.

Something felt off.

She couldn't quite explain it, but his reaction didn't feel entirely real. Still, she couldn't pinpoint why, so she decided not to dwell on it.

A faint flush crept across her cheeks. "I know it sounds a little hard to believe, but it's true. I chose the name because my grandfather once gave me a piece of land with a lake on it. It's called Lake Azure."

Cassian nodded. "That explains it."

She hesitated, then asked softly, "Do you believe me?"

"Yes."

No pause. No doubt.

Elowen let out a small breath and continued, "I've also started writing a new story."

Cassian lifted his brows, looking even more surprised. "A new one? Really? How did I not notice at all?"

Elowen fell silent again.

That strange feeling came back. She stared at him without blinking.

Cassian met her gaze. "Is there something on my face?"

Elowen narrowed her eyes slightly. "Cassian... you already knew, didn't you? About me writing stories."

He was just about to deny it.

She cut in immediately, her tone turning sharp, though her eyes carried a warning more than anger. "If you lie to me, you're going to regret it."

Cassian let out a low laugh. "Ella, you really are sharp."

That was enough.

Elowen knew she was right.

A rush of heat climbed straight to her face, spreading so fast that even her ears burned.

"And very cute," Cassian added, reaching out to lightly pinch her flushed cheek.

Elowen bit her lip and shot him a look. "So you did know."

"Not entirely," he said, eyes warm with amusement.

She looked at him, waiting.

Cassian held her gaze for a second before continuing, "I didn't just know you were writing. I knew you were Azure."

Elowen froze.

Her eyes widened, and when she spoke again, her words stumbled over each other. "What? That's... that's not possible. You knew? How would you even know that?"

Her expression shifted, suspicion flashing across her face. "You had your people look into me."

"How could I do that?" Cassian replied, looking almost wronged. "I figured it out."

Elowen frowned, unconvinced. "You figured it out? That's not something you just guess."

Cassian gave a small nod. "First, your handwriting and the manuscripts signed by Azure are nearly identical."

Elowen immediately covered her face.

I can't believe I overlooked something that obvious.

"Second, some of the stories in Tales of Luminara feel very close to what happened between you and Alaric. Then there was Elias. The way he showed up around the Crown Prince's wedding was a little too convenient. And afterward, you were the only one who met with him privately."

He didn't go on.

He didn't need to.

That was already more than enough.

Cassian looked at her. She still hadn't moved, her face hidden, though the tips of her ears and the curve of her neck were flushed a soft pink.

"I knew you'd be embarrassed," he said, his voice easing. "I wasn't planning on saying anything. But you did warn me not to lie."

Elowen slowly parted her fingers, peeking at him through the small gap.

That small, hesitant gesture softened something in his expression.

"Ella," he said gently, "I'm not telling you this for any other reason than honesty. I actually think what you're doing is a good thing. It shows your talent. And your writing really is good. The stories are engaging, and the way you write stays with people."

He continued, his tone steady and sincere. "Tales of Luminara was given to me by Theodric. He wanted me to read it and learn from it. Even he thinks there's real insight in what you've written."

Elowen stilled.

For a brief moment, it felt like even her breathing paused.

Something in her chest loosened.

Maybe being discovered wasn't as terrible as she had imagined.

Slowly, she lowered her hands, revealing her face.

The candlelight caught the softness in her eyes and the faint color still lingering on her cheeks. The embarrassment hadn't fully faded, but it made her look even more delicate, more real.

Cassian's gaze softened. He reached out and gently brushed his fingers along her cheek.

"As for Isla," he said calmly, shifting the conversation, "she's actually not that difficult to understand."

Elowen looked up at him. "Really?"

Cassian nodded. "The Baker family has held power for generations. Isla grew up as the eldest daughter in that kind of household, which means everything about her life was shaped from the beginning. Education, manners, reputation. She wasn't just raised well, she was raised to represent something."

He continued at an even pace.

"When Theodric took the throne, he needed the support of established noble families. Marrying her secured that. So the moment she entered the palace, she stood at the very top. And after that, she gave birth to Alaric. That made her position even more secure. Her daughter is also the one most favored. She's lived a life where everything has come easily to her, where things have always gone the way she expected."