Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 458: A Place to Stand

Seren's breathing gradually steadied, though a trace of grievance lingered. She sniffed and muttered, "You said it wouldn't be that bad... My knees were so swollen I couldn't walk for days. They still ache if I press on them..."

Rosaline's expression tightened again, and she gave Seren a light tap on the forehead. "You earned that. That punishment wasn't meant to break you, it was meant to wake you up. So you'd remember what choices lead you into trouble and which people aren't worth trusting."

She paused, her voice sharpening as Alyssa came to mind. "That girl knew exactly what she was doing. She praised you, flattered you, made you feel special. None of it was real. You were easy to sway, and you had access to the study. That made you useful. And you let yourself be used. A few kind words and you handed her everything. Meanwhile, she stayed out of sight while you took the fall. If that doesn't teach you something, I don't know what will."

Seren lowered her head, her voice small. "I know... I really do..."

"At least Her Grace saw through her early," Rosaline said, her tone easing again. "So you got out before things went further. You paid a price, but you learned something. If you listen from now on and keep your head straight, you won't end up like that again."

"I will," Seren said quickly. "I'll listen, I promise."

She hesitated, then asked in a smaller voice, "Do you think... I could go back to the study?"

Rosaline felt the answer before she spoke.

The study was too important. Trust, once broken, didn't come back so easily.

"That's not something I can promise," she said carefully. "It depends on you, and more importantly, on Her Grace."

The light in Seren's eyes dimmed again.

Rosaline softened with a quiet sigh. "I'll ask for you tomorrow. That's all I can do."

Seren nodded quickly, relief breaking through her worry. "Thank you, Rosaline. I won't mess up again."

Watching her like this, Rosaline felt a knot of conflicting emotions she couldn't quite put into words, and all she could do was hope that this time, the lesson had finally taken root and would force Seren to grow up.

The next afternoon, sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the study at Duskmoor Manor, warming the rows of ledgers spread across the desk.

Elowen had nearly finished her work. She leaned back slightly, stretching her arms to ease the stiffness in her shoulders.

Rosaline stepped forward, steadying herself before lowering into a deep, formal bow.

"Your Grace," she said, her voice respectful and controlled, "my sister Seren has reflected deeply on her mistakes. She understands where she went wrong and regrets it sincerely. She hopes to make amends and serve you properly again. If it pleases you, would you consider giving her another chance?"

She lowered her head further, holding the posture without moving, her pulse loud in her ears.

The thick woven carpet beneath her softened the pressure, but it did nothing to steady her nerves.

Elowen rested her cheek lightly against her hand, her gaze calm and unreadable. When she spoke, her tone was even, almost cool. "No. I have other plans for the study."

Rosaline's heart sank, though she kept her posture steady.

As expected.

Rosaline knew there was no chance Elowen would allow a maid who had already made a mistake to return to service in the study.

Just as that quiet bitterness settled in her chest and she prepared to lower herself in thanks and withdraw, Elowen spoke again.

"The girl named Scarlet who came back with me a few days ago, you've seen her. I haven't decided where she fits yet, so I'll have her assist in the study for now and see how she manages."

Scarlet?

Rosaline's thoughts stirred.

She knew exactly who that was, the woman Elowen had brought back from the Stargazer Pavilion, someone with a rather unusual background.

Placing her in the study wasn't a casual decision. It meant Elowen intended to keep her close and shape her into someone she could trust.

Still...

Scarlet probably couldn't read a single line.

But once Elowen had spoken, it wasn't Rosaline's place to question it.

"As for Seren," Elowen said, her tone shifting slightly, "I'm assigning her to the conservatory. She used to tend the potted plants in the study, and she did it well. She has a knack for it, and more importantly, she enjoys it. Tell her to focus on that. If she does her work properly, she'll be treated fairly."

Rosaline blinked, surprise giving way to relief.

The conservatory wasn't as prestigious as the study, but it was steady work, and more importantly, it meant Seren hadn't been cast aside.

If anything, Elowen had seen exactly where she belonged.