Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 480: Before the Storm Breaks

Elowen did not panic.

Instead, she drew in a steady breath and turned to Mira. "Go find out what's happening. Don't come back until you have something clear."

"Yes, Your Grace." Mira rushed out at once.

Only then did Elowen lower her voice. "Princess, what's happening may not be aimed at Nordia at all. This may be directed at Duskmoor Manor. And because of that, your delegation has become the easiest piece to move."

Flowira stilled, then slowly nodded as understanding took hold. "You mean... my uncle is being used."

"The situation is still unclear," Elowen said, her tone firm. "But you need to leave now. Anson will escort you the way you came. Once you return, speak to Prince Roderic immediately. Tell him everything. He needs to be on guard."

A pause, then softer, "And so do you."

By now, Vanelle no longer felt like a capital at peace, but a place where something unseen was tightening its grip.

They reached the doorway just as Mira came rushing back, breath uneven.

The moment Elowen saw her face, something in her chest tightened.

"This better be clear," Elowen said quietly.

Mira swallowed. "Your Grace... there's been an attack."

Elowen's gaze sharpened. "On who?"

"Prince Roderic," Mira said, her voice trembling despite her effort to steady it. "He was ambushed on the road back from the palace. He's badly injured and hasn't regained consciousness. They've taken him back to the royal residence for treatment."

For a moment, Elowen said nothing.

Flowira's eyes widened, shock flashing across her face. "No... that can't be right."

She pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stay composed. There was no use asking a servant for details she couldn't possibly have.

"I need to go," she said quickly, turning to Elowen. "If anything changes, I'll come back at once."

Elowen nodded and stepped aside, giving Anson quiet but urgent instructions before seeing her out.

When the door closed, she turned back. "Where is His Grace?"

Before Mira could answer, footsteps approached again.

This time, they were unhurried, steady, deliberate.

The warm glow from the corridor's iron sconces cast a long shadow across the floor, slipping through the narrow opening of the door, where it stretched inward in a shape that was unmistakably tall, broad, and achingly familiar.

A hand pressed gently against the wood, easing the door open.

Elowen looked up.

Cassian stepped into view, his features sharp in the low light, his dark eyes softening the moment they found hers.

"Cassian."

She moved toward him at once. "I've figured it out. The treaty didn't fall apart on its own. Someone inside the palace is behind this, feeding Roderic lies."

Cassian's expression softened further, a faint curve touching his lips. "Alright. I hear you."

He had already suspected as much.

But he let her say it.

Because it mattered to her.

"The King has summoned me," he continued. "I have to return to the palace immediately. Roderic's been attacked, and no one knows if he'll make it. This is bigger than it looks, and it's going to pull in more people before it's over. I may not be back tonight."

His gaze lingered on her. "Get some rest. Don't wait up. If you can't sleep, have Hugh prepare something mild to settle your nerves. You shouldn't be exhausting yourself right now."

Elowen looked up at him, searching his face.

He had already turned to go, but then he stopped and reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against her cheek.

"Ella," he said quietly, "do you remember what I told you? I don't lose."

Elowen nodded.

His gaze deepened. "And one more thing. You're stronger than you think. You don't need me standing beside you every moment. If I'm not here, you decide what happens next."

Then he was gone.

His dark cloak disappeared into the night beyond the doorway, his figure swallowed by shadow as he moved past the reach of the firelight.

Elowen stood there, watching long after he had vanished.

A draft slipped through the corridor, cool against her skin, and she finally stirred.

Something about him had felt too calm.

Too certain.

He already knows. Or worse... he's been waiting for this.

"Your Grace..." Mira's voice came softly from behind her.

Elowen turned, her expression steady once more. "I'm fine. Go ask Doctor Dray for a calming draught."

Mira hesitated, then nodded quickly. "Right away."

The medicine worked faster than she expected. Sleep took her deeply, without dreams.

And when she woke, the room was already filled with morning light.