Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 421: Missed Chances

Elowen's expression shifted as understanding clicked into place. "Okay, that explains it. No wonder I never heard a thing about it."

Then her eyes lit up again as she turned to him, curiosity sparkling. "Wait a second. If Stargazer Pavilion belongs to you, then technically it's mine too, right? So if I go there from now on, I don't have to pay at all?"

Cassian inclined his head slightly. "That's right."

Her face brightened instantly, but the excitement didn't last. It slipped away just as quickly, replaced by a deep, theatrical sigh.

"Honestly, Cassian, if I'd met you earlier, things would've been so different. Back then, my friends and I used to stand outside that place all the time, just staring up at it. Everyone would be like, 'Yeah, no way, we can't afford that.' And then I'd just walk straight in like I owned the place, turn around, and go, 'Relax, dinner's on Miss Hale tonight.'"

She pressed her lips together, already mourning the lost opportunity. "That would've been incredible. They would've been so jealous."

She let out a long, heartfelt sigh, clearly still hung up on it.

Cassian watched her, the softness in his gaze impossible to hide. A quiet laugh escaped him.

"Ella," he said, voice low and warm, "I liked you long before now. If you'd ever told me you wanted that, I wouldn't just cover the bill. I would've handed you the whole place without thinking twice."

Elowen closed her eyes, lifting a hand like she needed to physically block the thought. "Stop. Just stop. You're making it worse."

By then, they had stepped out of the narrow lane and into the open street, where candlelight spilled across everything in a golden glow.

Cassian's tone softened. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"Stargazer Pavilion."

He took her hand and guided her forward. After a few steps, Elowen suddenly slowed, something clearly bothering her.

"Wait," she said, lowering her voice. "Are you sure this is safe? What if someone recognizes you?"

Everyone believed Cassian couldn't walk and always moved around in a chair. Tonight, he moved with complete ease, and that alone felt like a risk.

Cassian didn't look concerned. "It won't be an issue. Very few people have ever seen me up close. And the ones who have, the ones who are actually allowed to stand in front of me and look me in the eye, aren't the kind who spend their evenings wandering festival streets."

"Even the guests at Stargazer Pavilion?"

"Even them," he replied evenly. "Most of them are mid-ranking officials or wealthy merchants. To the average person, that's impressive. But they still aren't the kind of people who would ever be granted an audience with me."

Elowen slowed her steps.

She turned her head, studying him under the warm candlelight. His profile looked sharper somehow, more distant, more untouchable.

He had always been so easy with her that she had gotten used to seeing only that side of him.

She had almost forgotten the rest.

The Duke of Duskmoor. Theodric's own brother. A man who held real power, whose name carried weight across the realm.

The kind of man people meant when they spoke about someone standing just beneath the throne.

Her husband.

The thought settled heavily in her chest, leaving her quiet for a moment.

They moved along with the crowd as the street grew brighter and more crowded.

Lanterns and oil lamps hung along the street, their warm light spilling across the crowd and softening the night into a lively glow. Voices, laughter, and the buzz of merchants filled the air, blending into something rich and full of life.

"Fresh copies of Ode to Springlight, just off the press! Azure's newest work, don't miss it!"

"Finest cosmetics in the city! The Duchess of Duskmoor's personal favorite! They say His Grace fell for her because of this very shade. Try our 'Blushing Peony' and you might just find yourself a husband who dotes on you the same way!"

The voice carried clearly through the crowd.

Elowen stopped without thinking and turned toward the source.

The shop assistant caught her glance immediately and broke into an eager grin. "Miss, with looks like yours, you should really try our newest shade. Who knows, His Grace might take one look at you and decide he has to have you as his second wife."

Elowen froze for a beat.

Then she muttered under her breath, "What a shameless sales pitch."

Cassian heard it. A low, amused laugh slipped from him as he leaned slightly closer. "Want me to have the place shut down?"

Elowen couldn't help smiling. "No, it's just marketing. He's not actually doing anything wrong. Let him be."

Cassian's lips curved faintly. "You're generous, Ella."

She took his hand again, about to head toward Stargazer Pavilion.

"Your Grace! Duchess of Duskmoor!"

A voice called out from behind them, bright with excitement.

Elowen's entire body went tense.

Already? Someone recognized me?

Her fingers tightened around Cassian's hand instinctively.

But the voice continued, almost shaking with excitement. "It's true, the Duchess of Duskmoor is Azure. It's confirmed. Word came straight from the palace. His Majesty acknowledged it himself and even granted her the title Lady of Grace and Virtue right there at the banquet."

Elowen paused, then let out a small breath.

Oh. Not me. Just rumors.

"Are you sure? Don't tell me it's another fake like Daphne last time."

"This came from the palace, and His Majesty personally granted the title. There's no way that's wrong."