Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 424: Not Tonight

"Stop talking."

Elowen's voice cut clean through his words.

The attendant froze, shrinking back instinctively.

Moments ago she had seemed relaxed, almost playful. Now there was a sharp edge to her presence that made it hard to even look at her directly.

From above, a man's voice drifted down, smooth but edged with irritation.

"No need to make a spectacle of it."

The men on the stairs immediately stepped back, lowering their heads.

Elowen moved forward and looked up.

A young man stood there, dressed in deep blue, a folding fan turning lazily in his hand. His expression carried the easy confidence of someone used to getting his way.

Elowen's lips curved faintly.

Of course it's him.

Rowan.

Rowan took his time walking down a few stone steps, positioning himself above the woman who had fallen to the ground.

He bent slightly at the waist and, with the end of a slender wine stirrer he had been idly holding, tipped her chin upward, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"Scarlet," Rowan said, his voice smooth in a way that lingered unpleasantly, "I know you've always wanted to attend me."

Scarlet's body trembled, almost too faint to notice.

"My lord..."

"But tonight," Rowan cut in before she could continue, his tone leaving no room for refusal, "I want the girl."

His gaze shifted toward Nikki, slow and deliberate, openly appraising.

"Young, untouched, something new. That's far more interesting."

He paused, letting the tip of the stirrer trace lightly along Scarlet's jaw before withdrawing it, a cruel smile forming.

"If you're jealous, or worried about her, that's easy enough to fix," he added casually. "The two of you can attend me together tonight. I don't mind the extra company."

"N-no... my lord, she really can't... she's too young..."

Scarlet's face had gone completely pale as she tried to plead with him.

Rowan's eyes narrowed, and whatever false warmth had been there vanished completely.

"You know I don't have much patience," he said, his voice turning cold. "If I hear you refuse me one more time, you'll spend the night attending my companions instead. There are over a dozen of them, and I promise you they won't be nearly as considerate as I am."

Scarlet jolted, her shoulders shaking violently.

Nikki lifted her head.

Her wide eyes were filled with fear, but her voice came out steady despite it. "Scarlet... it's alright. I can go."

Rowan's lips curved with satisfaction.

"See? Even she understands how things work better than you do."

"No."

Scarlet bit down hard on her lip.

"No."

Rowan clicked his tongue softly and straightened, his expression turning cold. "You really don't know when to stop."

He turned to the men nearby and gave his order without hesitation.

"Take her to the back. If she won't cooperate, then let her entertain all of you tonight. Just don't go so far that it becomes a problem."

"Yes, my lord!"

The men stepped forward immediately, their expressions shifting into something crude and eager.

One of them grabbed Scarlet roughly by the arm and dragged her up from the floor.

Another reached for Nikki, who had gone stiff with fear.

Right at that moment, a clear, sharp female voice cut through the tension.

"Let them go."

Rowan had been casually toying with the stirrer in his hand, waiting to enjoy the scene unfolding in front of him.

He had not expected anyone to interrupt.

Especially not now.

His patience snapped. He frowned and turned toward the voice, irritation already spilling into his words.

"And who exactly do you think you are, stepping into—"

The last word never came out.

His gaze met hers. The insult died in his throat.

Rowan froze. Elowen stood there, her expression calm, her voice steady and cold.

"My name is Elowen."

The moment her name was spoken, Nikki, who had been trembling, suddenly lifted her head.

The men, however, did not recognize the name. They only knew Rowan's authority, and seeing a stranger interfere, they instinctively stepped forward.

"Who do you think you are, sticking your nose into Rowan's business?" one of them snapped. "If you know what's good for you, step aside."

Rowan snapped back to himself, his expression changing instantly as a flicker of alarm crossed his eyes.

"You idiots," he barked sharply. "Step back. All of you."

The men froze.

"Take a good look before you speak," Rowan continued, his tone tightening. "This is the Duchess of Duskmoor."

The title hit the room like a sudden shock.

Voices rose in surprise, then quickly dropped into hushed whispers.

Inside a private room nearby, a server had been leaning near the door, watching the commotion outside. The moment he heard Rowan say "Duchess of Duskmoor," he went completely still.

If the woman outside was Duchess of Duskmoor...

Then the man inside had to be...

The realization hit him all at once.

That means His Grace is here too.

A chill ran through him as he slowly turned his head.

The man beside him stood motionless, his gaze fixed outside, resting steadily on Elowen.

Light from the glass windows reflected across his sharply defined profile, illuminating features so striking they almost seemed unreal, yet the coldness in his expression made him feel distant, like someone no one would dare approach.

The server only dared to look for a moment before a cold sweat broke across his back, his legs already starting to feel unsteady.

Over on the other side, Rowan had already composed himself. He stepped forward and gave a proper bow, his tone turning respectful.

"My apologies, Your Grace. I didn't recognize you at first."

He paused, then continued, his voice smooth but probing.

"But I was under the impression Your Grace would be attending the royal banquet this evening. I didn't expect you to be here instead, taking an interest in a place like Stargazer Pavilion."