Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 461: The Truth Unmasked

Elowen felt a ripple of unease and gestured lightly toward Zachary. "Didn't you say you'd taken a liking to someone? He made a point of coming to see you today."

Elara paused, then followed her gaze.

The moment she saw Zachary, she went still, tilting her head as she searched her memory with surprising seriousness, as if trying to piece together a half-forgotten dream.

Then her expression brightened in sudden clarity. "Oh, right. I did fall for someone."

Elowen blinked, completely thrown off, and turned to look at Rowena.

Wasn't she supposed to be so lovesick she could barely function...

Rowena pressed her fingers to her temple, clearly at a loss.

What on earth did I end up raising...

Zachary turned to Elowen, his tone measured. "Your Grace, what I need to say next is... rather personal."

Elowen understood immediately and gave Mira and Anson a subtle look.

They both inclined their heads and slipped out without a sound. Rowena followed, pausing only to close the door behind her with quiet care.

Elowen hesitated for a brief moment, wondering if she should excuse herself as well.

Before she could decide, Zachary had already risen and was walking toward Elara.

The moment passed, and she remained seated by the desk.

Elara lifted her slightly flushed face to look at him. Up close, he was even more striking than she remembered, his features sharp and almost dazzling in a way that made it hard to look away.

She gathered herself quickly and spoke in a soft, earnest voice. "You might not remember me. I'm Elara Wrenner. My father serves under His Grace, the Duke of Duskmoor."

Elowen lowered her gaze slightly.

Oh, he knows exactly who you are. He knows your father very well.

After all, your father is being held under his authority... and not gently treated.

Zachary stepped closer, and Elara's words began to tumble out a little faster. "That day at the manor, when we first met, I nearly lost my footing, and you caught me just in time. I fell for you right then. I know we barely know each other, but feelings can grow, can't they? Look at His Grace and Your Grace. They hadn't even met before they married, and now everyone in Vanelle talks about them."

Elowen's lips pressed together faintly.

We've already met. And it's not like he slowly fell for me. He was into me from the very beginning.

Zachary stopped just a step away from Elara.

He stood slightly taller, lowering his gaze to meet hers, and let out a quiet breath that carried a hint of resignation. "We can't be together."

The color faded from Elara's cheeks. "Why not?"

Instead of answering, Zachary reached for her hand and gently guided it to rest against his chest.

Elara froze for a heartbeat, her thoughts going blank.

Then, almost without thinking, she pressed lightly, her fingers testing the shape beneath the fabric as if trying to understand what felt... off.

Her eyes widened all at once.

From where she sat, Elowen watched the reaction and found her thoughts drifting in a completely different direction.

Is it really that solid...

The first time I touched Cassian like that, I reacted the exact same way. It's unfair how... surprisingly firm it is.

"You... you..." Elara's voice trembled, her words catching as if her tongue had forgotten how to move. "You're a... woman?!"

Elowen's eyes widened a beat later as realization hit her just as hard.

She looked from Elara to Zachary, then back again, trying to make sense of what she had just heard.

Zachary gave a small nod. "I am not Zachary."

Her voice shifted naturally now, no longer disguised, clear and bright with a softness that could not be mistaken.

"I am Flowira. My brother and I exchanged places."

She continued calmly, "Miss Wrenner, I truly appreciate your feelings. But we are both women. There is no future for us."

Elara nodded slowly, though her expression had gone completely blank, the earlier warmth gone as if it had never been there.

After a brief pause, Flowira added gently, "So... would you mind letting go now?"

"Ah."

Only then did Elara realize she was still clutching her. She pulled her hand back as if she had touched a hot iron, her face burning as she stood there, unsure what to do with herself.

Flowira adjusted her collar with composed ease, then turned to Elowen and lowered herself into a formal bow, her posture smooth and deliberate, carrying both grace and sincerity.

"Your Grace, concealing my identity was never meant as deception. It was a necessity. Today, I've chosen to be honest with both you and Miss Wrenner. Partly to honor my word and clear up her misunderstanding, and partly because I trust your judgment. This matter carries serious weight, and I ask that you keep it in confidence. You have my deepest thanks."

Elowen had already steadied herself and inclined her head. "You have my word, Your Highness."

"Thank you." Flowira straightened and returned to her seat.

Elara remained where she stood, still processing.

Elowen glanced at her, concern softening her voice. "Miss Wrenner... are you holding up all right?"