Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 490: What Holds

Finn nodded quickly. "Your Grace, even if you hadn't said that, I would still trust you completely."

Elowen gave a small nod and asked about the shop's recent business.

Finn answered carefully, going through everything in detail.

When they had nearly finished, Mira stepped in quietly from outside and leaned close, lowering her voice. "Your Grace, the Crown Prince's carriage has already left."

Elowen's expression remained steady. "All right."

She rose and smoothed the folds of her skirt. "See that everything here is put back in order and settle everyone down. I'm heading next door for a bit."

Finn responded at once. "Of course, Your Grace."

He stood to walk her out, then hesitated before speaking again. "Please take care of yourself. Leave the shop to me. You don't need to worry about anything here."

The door was opened from outside.

Elowen stepped out, her hand resting lightly on Mira's arm.

She had just reached the entrance when she spotted two familiar figures approaching.

The woman in front was dressed simply, her expression gentle and warm.

Her aunt.

The moment she saw Elowen, her face lit up with relief. She hurried forward, taking Elowen's hands and looking her over carefully. "Ella, there you are. I was already planning to come by the manor today no matter what. Then I heard the commotion from the tavern and asked around. As soon as I heard you were here, I came straight over."

Elowen smiled softly. "I'm fine. I'm sorry to have worried you."

Her aunt let out a quiet breath and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

She was not alone.

A young man stood beside her, tall and composed, his features clean and refined.

Elowen looked toward him. "Josh, did you receive the letter and the books I sent over a few days ago?"

Josh stepped forward and inclined his head respectfully. "Yes, Your Grace. I received everything and have already gone through them carefully. Thank you for thinking of me. And thank you for taking in Nikki. With her at the manor, my mother and I are both at ease. We do worry sometimes that she might trouble you or disrupt your peace."

Elowen shook her head with a small smile. "Not at all. Nikki is thoughtful and well-behaved. She keeps me company. If anything, the house feels livelier with her there."

As they spoke, they moved together to a quiet private room upstairs in the tavern next door, one that overlooked the street but remained comfortably secluded.

An attendant brought in a cup of fine coffe along with a selection of small pastries, then withdrew, closing the door behind him.

They had already exchanged greetings outside, so once seated, her aunt got straight to the point.

"Ella, we've heard what's been happening at Duskmoor Manor. I've been worried sick. I reached out through a few acquaintances to get word from the palace, and Josh went to speak with Edmund."

She lowered her voice slightly. "What we're hearing is far more reassuring than the rumors going around. The attack on the Nordian prince is serious, and suspicion may be circling your household, but those who understand the court don't believe His Majesty is blind to what doesn't add up. Even if he needs to hand down some form of punishment to satisfy appearances, it likely won't be severe. At the end of the day, he does not turn lightly against his own blood."

Elowen had already reached the same conclusion earlier that day. But hearing it now didn't feel unnecessary.

Instead, something in her chest softened.

For just a moment, her eyes grew warm.

Being alive like this... it really is something worth holding on to.

And having another chance at it... even more so.

In her previous life, she had believed she had lost everything. When Alaric turned away from her, she had let herself fall into despair, as though nothing else in the world could matter.

But the world was far larger than that.

A person did not live on love alone.

Family, friendship, and the quiet, steady presence of people who cared, all of it woven together into something that held firm when everything else felt uncertain.

All of it came together, thread by thread, forming something strong enough to hold her up.

This life had shown her that.

Given her more than she had ever seen before.

The lingering disgust from earlier had already faded, replaced by something steadier, warmer.

Her hatred for Alaric remained.

If anything, it ran deeper.

But it no longer had the power to shake her.

Elowen nodded. "Thank you, both of you, for everything you've done. To be honest, I'm not too worried about His Grace. His Majesty is fair, and His Grace is innocent. The truth will come out."

Her gaze steadied, clear and composed. "What matters now is that we don't sit back and wait. We need to find out what really happened."

Her aunt studied her for a long moment, emotion flickering in her eyes, then let out a soft breath. "Ella... you've truly changed. Sometimes when I look at you, I'm reminded of your mother when she was young. Decisive, clear-headed."

A faint smile followed. "But you're not only like her. You've also got that quiet strength your sister-in-law has. Gentle on the surface, but unshakable underneath."