Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 495: Close Quarters

Elowen let out a soft, sleepy hum and shifted under the covers, turning into Cassian as if guided by instinct, her body settling comfortably against his.

It took her a moment to fully wake. When she finally lifted her gaze, her eyes were still unfocused. "Lunch?"

Cassian looked down at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I came in at midday. Had to keep bothering you for a while before you finally stirred."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest, her voice warm and unguarded. "That's because you're here. When you're around, I don't have to stay on edge, so I sleep deeper."

That answer clearly pleased him.

He lowered his head slightly, brushing his chin against her hair in a slow, absent gesture. "Well, I've been sidelined for the time being. Looks like you're stuck with me."

A soft laugh slipped from her. "That sounds like a good deal to me."

They stayed that way for a long while, unhurried and entirely at ease, as though the outside world had been pushed far beyond the walls of the manor.

Eventually, Elowen tilted her head up, her expression turning more thoughtful. "How long is this confinement supposed to last? Did His Majesty give you any indication?"

Cassian's tone remained calm, almost indifferent. "At least until the truth comes out and clears my name. He'll need time to settle the court and smooth things over with Nordia."

She nodded slowly, then straightened a little, something clearly clicking into place.

"There's something I should have told you yesterday," she said, her tone sharpening with focus. "I've been thinking it through carefully. What Iris did, arranging that attack on Prince Roderic and shifting the blame onto you, it doesn't feel like the end goal. It feels like a setup for something bigger."

Cassian's gaze settled on her, attentive but quiet.

"I think they're aiming at the court qualification trials," she continued. "You're the one who usually oversees them, but now that you've been pushed out, that responsibility will pass to someone else. And realistically, the Crown Prince is the obvious choice."

Cassian gave a slight nod. "That matches my thinking."

Elowen leaned in a little closer, her voice lowering, though not out of fear so much as habit when discussing strategy. "I've already set things in motion. One group is tracing the origin of the arrowhead. Another is keeping an eye on Dominic. Scarlet mentioned a few gaming houses he frequents, and men like him always leave a trail if you watch long enough."

She paused briefly before continuing. "As for Nordia, what happened to Prince Roderic is unfortunate, but mourning won't change anything. This is the kind of situation you turn to your advantage. I've already reached out to Zachary and Flowira. They both suspect something is off, so for now they're holding their position and waiting for my signal."

When she reached the next point, her voice faltered slightly.

Memories from another lifetime surfaced, unbidden.

She had seen this play out before. She had heard conversations she was never meant to hear.

But there was no way to explain that now.

I can't tell him I already lived through this once. He'd think I've lost my mind.

She hesitated.

Cassian didn't press her. Instead, he reached out and tapped lightly at the tip of her nose, his tone shifting into something teasing and easy. "So, what's going on in that head of yours, Ella? You've got something else planned."

She laughed and nudged him lightly. "Why does everything I come up with sound suspicious to you?"

He placed a hand over his chest as if offended. "All right, fair enough. Let's call it a well-crafted plan."

His eyes lingered on her, warm with amusement. "So tell me, what is it?"

Elowen curled her finger at him, inviting him closer.

He leaned in without hesitation.

She rested a hand on his shoulder and spoke softly into his ear, laying out her idea in a low, steady murmur.

As he listened, the ease in his expression faded into something sharper, more focused.

When she finished, he turned his head slightly and answered just as quietly.

Elowen's eyes lit up at once. She leaned closer again, adding to the plan, her tone quick with excitement.

They stayed like that for quite some time, their voices low, their heads nearly touching, refining each detail between them.

Only after they were done did Elowen suddenly pause, then let out a small laugh. "You realize we're in our own room, right? Why are we acting like this is some kind of secret meeting?"

Cassian didn't miss a beat. "Because it makes it more interesting."

Then, after a brief pause, he added with clear intent, "Speaking of interesting, did you enjoy last night?"

The memory hit her instantly.

Color rushed to her face, spreading fast enough that even the tips of her ears turned red.

She pressed her lips together and turned her head away. "I'm hungry. I'm getting up."

Cassian knew exactly where her mind had gone and chose not to push further. He let it drop with a quiet chuckle as he rose from the bed. "All right, I'll behave. Come on, let me help you get dressed."

He moved with practiced familiarity, retrieving her clothes and helping her into them with steady, unhurried hands.

As he adjusted the ties and smoothed the fabric, his palm brushed lightly over the gentle curve of her abdomen. Something seemed to occur to him, and he glanced up. "Your birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?"

Elowen looked at him, surprised. "How did you figure that out?"

A faint smile touched his lips. "I pay attention to you."

She muttered under her breath, almost unconsciously, "Not everything..."

Not the parts that matter most. Not the life I've already lived once.

Cassian caught it. "Something I'm missing?"

She shook her head.

He didn't push, only saying lightly, "Then we'll celebrate it properly this time. And while we're at it, we can start turning the tide."