Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 481: A Dangerous Turn

Elowen didn't move right away after waking. She stayed where she was for a few quiet moments, letting her thoughts settle before slowly pushing herself upright.

"Mira," she called.

Footsteps came quickly from the outer chamber, hurried and uneven, and Mira stepped inside.

"You're awake, Your Grace."

Elowen looked at her, taking in the tension she hadn't quite managed to hide.

"What happened?" she asked, her tone calm but direct. "You don't look like everything's fine."

Mira hesitated, her hands tightening slightly at her sides.

That hesitation was enough.

There was only one thing that could leave her like this.

Elowen let out a quiet breath. "This is about His Grace, isn't it?"

Mira froze for a second, then slowly lifted her head.

Elowen met her gaze without wavering. "You don't need to hold back. If something's happened at court, it won't stay contained for long. I'd rather hear it clearly now than pick through rumors later."

Mira's eyes reddened almost instantly. "Your Grace..."

Elowen didn't rush her. The morning light fell softly across her face, but it did nothing to soften the steadiness in her expression.

After a moment, Mira spoke in a low voice. "His Grace has been detained at the royal residence."

Elowen's fingers tightened slightly against the bedding, though her expression barely shifted.

"Is this about Prince Roderic?" she asked.

Mira nodded quickly, wiping at her eyes. "Word from inside says Prince Roderic was badly injured. Every royal physician on duty was called in, and they worked through the entire night. They tried everything they could, but nothing worked. He passed just before dawn. His Majesty lost his temper on the spot, threw a drinking cup, and ordered a full investigation. The city watch, the High Court, and the royal guard have all been pulled in."

Elowen's voice remained even. "And how did this end up tied to Cassian?"

Mira lowered her voice further. "They're saying the scene didn't make sense. It was too clean. No sign of a struggle, no blood, nothing left behind. But somehow, the investigation led to His Grace. People are saying the prince offended him more than once at Hall of Imperial Grace, spoke out of turn, and pushed too far. So His Grace supposedly took advantage of the chaos last night and had him killed. They're saying he had the skill to do it cleanly and knew the city well enough to leave nothing behind..."

Her voice faltered, but she didn't need to finish.

Elowen already understood what kind of move this was.

It had been set up carefully from the start, with each step leading cleanly into the next, leaving just enough tension in place before everything was forced to a breaking point.

First the rumors, then the friction, and finally a death that demanded an answer.

Cassian had been pushed exactly where they wanted him, right into the center of a crisis that could not be ignored, with a charge that would be nearly impossible to shake once it settled.

And the way it had been done told her everything she needed to know.

This wasn't Alaric. He didn't plan like this.

This was Iris. Elowen let out a slow breath.

"I see."

Her voice was quiet, but steady enough that Mira's panic began to ease without her realizing it.

"Mira!"

Gerda came in quickly, her expression tight with worry.

One glance at the scene told her enough, and her face hardened immediately. "What were you thinking? Her Grace needs rest right now. Why would you bring this to her?"

Elowen turned her head slightly, her gaze clear and composed. "I was always going to hear about it. And I'm not someone who can afford to stay uninformed. If His Grace isn't here, then everything in this house depends on me. If I don't know what's happening, then we're already in trouble."

Edith stepped in behind, her tone flat but certain. "I said this wouldn't stay hidden."

Gerda shot her a look, then turned back to Elowen, her voice softening. "I was thinking of your condition. His Grace is only being questioned. His Majesty won't let anything happen to his own brother. Once the truth comes out, he'll be sent back safely. There's no need to carry this burden right now."

Elowen shook her head slowly.

"It won't be that simple," she said. "Anyone bold enough to set this in motion isn't aiming halfway. They want him finished, and they want this house dragged down with him. His Majesty may hesitate, but he still has to answer for a dead foreign prince in his capital. Once pressure builds, even if he wants to protect Cassian, it may not be enough."

She held Gerda's gaze, her voice steady.

"He's not coming back anytime soon."