Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 459: Letter from Rivenshire

At Duskmoor Manor, Rosaline immediately lowered herself into a deep bow, her posture respectful and composed. "On Seren's behalf, I thank you, Your Grace. You've shown such kindness to those in your service. Seren will devote herself fully to the gardens and make sure everything is kept just as you wish."

Her admiration for the young Duchess deepened all over again.

Elowen carried herself with an easy grace that could be mistaken for casualness, yet every decision she made followed a clear and deliberate order. Problems were removed before they could fester, and people were placed exactly where they were most useful.

It made perfect sense that Lady Elira had chosen to stand with her.

Just then, the sound of quick, lively footsteps echoed from the corridor, followed by a bright, breathless voice. "Your Grace! Your Grace!"

Mira hurried in, cheeks flushed, holding a sealed letter high in her hand. "A letter just came for you. It was sent from Rivenshire by express rider, they didn't waste a moment getting it here."

Rivenshire.

Elowen's eyes lit at once. Her aunt.

She straightened in her seat. "Let me see it."

Mira stepped forward eagerly and placed the letter into her hands. Elowen took it without delay.

Rosaline, reading the room at a glance, dipped into a quiet bow and withdrew without a sound.

Elowen broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.

Mira hovered nearby, curiosity getting the better of her, though she kept her voice low. "What does Lady Elspeth say, Your Grace. Is she asking after you?"

Elowen read carefully, her gaze steady. "She says Ode to Springlight is selling faster than the shops can keep up with in Rivenshire. At first she assumed it was just another forgettable tale written by some self-important scholar and paid it no mind. Then she heard the author was me, and it startled her so much she had every copy she could find bought up and delivered to the house. She piled them into a single room and had the steward read it aloud to everyone, even the old gatekeeper had to stand and listen."

Mira let out a soft laugh, her eyes crinkling. "That sounds exactly like Lady Elspeth."

Elowen continued, her tone gentler now. "She's also taken Nina in formally and placed her under the Ashcroft name. She wanted a name that would truly suit her, so she invited several well-regarded scholars in Rivenshire and had them search through old texts before settling on one. She named her Lirien. She's arranged tutors to teach her reading, and she's been training her in riding and archery. No lessons in music or painting. She says Nina prefers being on horseback, so she even bought her a young mare."

Elowen paused, her fingers still resting lightly on the page.

Mira's smile faded as she glanced at her, her expression softening.

They both understood what lay beneath those words.

In the letter, Elspeth had written "Ella, I cannot quite explain it, but Nina reminds me so much of you as a child. Teaching her to read, riding out with her, watching her grow from timid and unsure into someone bright and open, it feels as though I have been given the chance to raise you properly all over again. Ella, I am truly happy. It makes me think your mother must have felt the same kind of joy."

A faint sheen of tears gathered in Elowen's eyes.

Mira quietly reached for a handkerchief and dabbed them away.

Elowen drew in a steady breath before continuing. "Nina has read Ode to Springlight too, and she loved it. Her face turned red as she said she wants to become a woman general someday, to lead soldiers into battle and protect the people. She wants her name to strike fear into anyone who means harm, so that the moment they hear it, they would rather run than do wrong."

This time, Elowen let out a soft laugh.

Mira nodded with feeling. "That's because your stories truly change the way people think, Your Grace."

Elowen glanced at her. "What makes you say that?"

Mira took a moment, choosing her words carefully, her sincerity plain. "The stories I used to hear, whether from traveling players or in town squares, always made it seem like a woman's whole life was meant to end in a good marriage. Everything they learned and hoped for was about managing a household and pleasing a husband. But after reading your stories, Nina wants to become a general, someone who protects others. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with a quiet life like that, it's just... it feels like many girls are told from the very beginning that there is only one path for them. They never even realize they might have other choices. Like becoming a commander. Or a scholar. Or writing stories, like you. Or even more than that. They could stand on their own and shape a life for themselves without relying on anyone else."

Elowen smiled, tilting her head slightly. "And you. What do you want for yourself?"

Mira's cheeks flushed. "I don't want anything else. I just want to stay by your side and serve you."

Elowen laughed softly and reached out to pinch her cheek.

"Your Grace."

Anson stepped in quickly, his expression more serious than usual. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "The Fourth Prince of Nordia has arrived. He is waiting in the receiving chamber."

Elowen's gaze sharpened slightly. She folded the letter with care and tucked it safely inside her gown before lifting her chin.

"Bring him to the study."

Before long, Zachary was shown in.