Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 466: A Name That Shouldn't Matter

Cassian gave a slight shake of his head. "No need. Today was mostly about settling the escort lists for both sides, along with the banquet that follows the negotiations. All of that will be announced sooner or later."

Elowen nodded, listening.

"Alaric put forward a few names," Cassian continued. "Galen, for one, and several others who are clearly tied to his circle."

Elowen let out a quiet huff. "He's not wasting any time, is he? Already trying to plant his people in the middle of it. Makes you wonder what he's scheming this time."

A faint curve touched Cassian's lips. "Even he knows better than to make it too obvious. If the delegation were entirely his faction, people would start talking. So he added another name to balance it out."

Elowen tilted her head slightly.

"Dominic," Cassian said. "Deputy of the King's Works. One of Rodney Jones's protégés. That puts him firmly on Elira's side."

A sharp clink broke the moment.

Elowen turned toward the sound.

Scarlet stood nearby, holding a lacquered serving tray with two cups of freshly brewed coffee. Her hand must have trembled, because the cups had knocked together just enough to make that sound.

A few drops of hot coffee spilled over, landing on the tray and splashing against the back of her hand, turning the skin red almost instantly.

Her face went pale for a brief second, but she quickly lowered her eyes and steadied herself, though her breathing grew uneven.

Cassian's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his expression tightening ever so slightly.

Elowen spoke gently. "Careful. Did you burn yourself? Just set them down on the desk."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Scarlet placed the cups down, her movements controlled despite the tension in her hands.

When she finished, Elowen added, "That's all for now. You can go. If it stings, ask Mira for some salve."

Scarlet didn't move right away.

She lifted her head and looked at Elowen, something conflicted flickering in her eyes. Her lips parted slightly, as if she meant to speak, then hesitated.

"Your Grace..." Her voice came out dry.

Elowen turned toward her. "What is it? You've got something on your mind?"

Scarlet's lashes trembled, and for a moment it seemed like she might say it.

Then she pressed her lips together and shook her head, the resolve draining out of her expression. "No... it's nothing. I was careless."

Elowen studied her for a moment but didn't push. "All right. Go get some rest. You're not needed here."

"...Yes, Your Grace."

Scarlet lowered her head in a formal bow before turning to leave, her steps just a touch too hurried to be completely composed.

Only after the room fell quiet again did Elowen settle back beside Cassian, a small smile curving her lips. "I've had Scarlet and Nikki helping out in the study for now. And let me tell you, Scarlet is something else. She can't read, but her memory is astonishing. Mira showed her around this morning, and after a single look, she remembered where everything was and what it looked like."

Cassian listened, faint amusement in his expression. "With a memory like that, give her a few months of study and she'd be at the top of the lists. At worst, second place."

Elowen laughed softly. "That's exactly what I said."

The study grew quiet, filled only with the low murmur of their voices and the occasional birdsong drifting in from outside.

Later that day, Cassian left to attend to his duties.

Elowen remained behind, curled up on the cushioned window seat, absorbed in Tales of the Fox Spirit.

The story pulled her in completely, its twists and turns unfolding one after another until she lost track of time.

By the time she finally looked up, night had already settled in.

She covered a small yawn, rubbing at her neck before closing the book and setting it aside, preparing to return to her chambers.

Just then, the candlelight flickered.

Elowen glanced up.

Scarlet was walking into the study.

She wore a simple blue overdress, her hair neatly arranged, her brow tightly drawn, her lips pressed into a pale line.

At first, Elowen assumed she had come with a request but felt too hesitant to speak, so she softened her tone. "What is it? It's late. Do you need something?"

Scarlet took a slow breath, as though steadying herself.

She stopped a few steps away, then lowered herself into a deep, formal bow, her posture rigid with determination.

"Your Grace, I've gone over this again and again, and there's something I feel I have to tell you. It may be important, or it may be nothing at all, but if I keep it to myself, I won't be able to rest."

Elowen straightened slightly, her expression turning serious. "Go on. I'm listening."

Scarlet drew in another breath before speaking, her voice careful and deliberate.

"The man His Grace mentioned earlier, Dominic, the Deputy of the King's Works... I've seen him before."

Elowen stilled.

Scarlet continued, "Back when I was at the Stargazer Pavilion."

Elowen hadn't expected that.

She gave a slow nod, signaling for her to continue.