Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 492: Where It Truly Leads

The memory came back to her with unsettling clarity.

In her previous life, at this same point in time, Cassian had been unconscious, and the entire court qualification trials process had been handed over to Alaric.

She had been in the Crown Prince's Wing then.

She remembered hearing about it, a disruption during the court qualification trials. Not large enough to shake the kingdom, but significant enough to matter.

At the time, she had not thought much of it.

Now, she saw it differently.

Iris had been involved.

And if that was the case, then everything happening now pointed in one direction.

This was never about Cassian alone. It was about the court qualification trials.

Elowen's fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the table.

That changed everything. She could not afford to wait and see what would unfold.

She had to act first.

In the royal study, Theodric was working through a stack of reports when something crossed his mind.

"Cassian."

By the window, Cassian lounged comfortably against a cushioned seat, completely absorbed in the book in his hands.

The title was clear. Ode to Springlight.

His wife's work.

And precisely because of that, he had avoided reading it in front of her. Elowen was far too easy to fluster, and he knew she would not last a moment before turning red and snatching it away.

Now, with nothing to do but wait inside the palace, he finally had the chance to read it properly.

And he was enjoying it far more than he had expected.

The writing was clean, vivid, full of quiet intelligence. The title she had been granted suited her perfectly.

Which was why he did not respond at all.

"Cassian," Theodric called again, louder this time.

Cassian finally made a vague sound of acknowledgment, though his eyes never left the page. "Mm. What is it?"

This part is exactly how she thinks. She didn't even change it.

Theodric set his pen aside. "I asked you something."

Only then did Cassian glance up, clearly distracted. "Go on."

"The court qualification trials are next month. You're not in a position to oversee them. Who do you think should take your place?"

"There's no shortage of capable men in court," Cassian replied, entirely unbothered. "You have options."

"Do you have a recommendation?"

Cassian considered for half a heartbeat, then said lightly, "Let Ella do it."

Theodric stared at him, then let out a short laugh. "Have you lost your senses? That's the court qualification trials. You want your wife in charge of it?"

He waved a hand dismissively. "Go back to your book."

Cassian smiled, completely unbothered. "You asked."

He was only half serious.

But only half.

The truth was, there were not many who truly fit the role. The position required authority, credibility, and enough weight to keep others in check.

Which meant, in the end, it would have to be given to one of the princes.

And that was exactly the problem.

Recommending either one would only complicate things further. So he said the one thing no one could take seriously.

Still, in his mind, neither of them came close to Elowen.

Theodric gave a short scoff. "I'll decide."

Cassian let the matter drop, shifting back into a more comfortable position, ready to continue reading, before something else occurred to him.

"Your Majesty, one more thing."

"What is it now?"

"When you issue the decree regarding my punishment," Cassian said, his tone suddenly far more deliberate, "could you do it sooner rather than later?"

Theodric raised a brow. "You're eager to be punished?"

"Not exactly," Cassian replied. "But once it's settled, I can leave properly. Ella is alone at the manor, and she's expecting. She's been worrying all day. I'd rather get back to her."

Theodric fell silent for a moment, then let out a quiet breath that could have been a laugh.

He's being held here under suspicion, and somehow he's still lounging around reading storybooks, like that's what matters most to him.

At this point, it's hard to tell if he's being detained... or simply enjoying a comfortable stay at court.

Theodric glanced at him. "So, shall I have the decree drawn up now?"

Cassian answered quickly, "Not just yet."

Theodric raised a brow. "What is it now? Changed your mind again?"

Cassian lifted the book slightly. "I'm not finished with this. It's quiet here. If I go back now, she'll be right there, and I won't get through a single page without her getting embarrassed."

That did it.

Theodric let out a short, sharp laugh. "Get out of my sight as soon as possible."

By the time evening settled over Duskmoor Manor, the last light had faded from the sky.

Iron wall sconces cast a steady glow along the corridors, their flames flickering gently against stone.

In the dining hall, a full meal had been laid out, each dish prepared exactly to Elowen's taste, still warm, still fragrant.

She sat alone at the table.

But the sight of it did nothing for her appetite.

The weight in her chest lingered, dull and persistent, leaving her with no desire to eat at all.