Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 497: A Name That Still Matters

Albert blinked, clearly still foggy, his expression slow to catch up. "The Duchess of Duskmoor... who's that supposed to be?"

Liam shot him a look, a little sharper, a little quicker on the uptake. "You're kidding, right? That's Elowen."

Elowen.

The name hit harder than it should have.

Albert froze for a split second, then straightened slightly as the haze of last night's drinking cleared from his mind far faster than before.

Her.

Liam, meanwhile, was already thinking ahead, his tone more practical. "With the Duke stripped of his title, I doubt many people will bother showing up to her celebration. It doesn't exactly sound like an event worth attending."

Clarisse let out a soft laugh, the kind that carried just enough edge to make the correction unmistakable.

"You're behind on your information," she said smoothly. "The Duke may have been stripped of his title, and the estate has been reassigned, now officially known as Hale Manor, but that doesn't change her standing. The title 'Lady of Grace and Virtue' was granted to her personally by His Majesty and Queen Isla. That rank doesn't disappear just because her husband fell from favor."

She paused just long enough for the point to settle.

"And more importantly," she continued, her tone turning almost light, "she's Azure. The author everyone in Vanelle can't stop talking about. People admire her far beyond the court. She doesn't rely on the Duke to hold her place."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted, deliberately settling on Albert.

She took in the way his expression had gone slightly distant, the way something unspoken flickered behind his eyes.

For the first time that morning, she felt a trace of satisfaction.

So it does get to you after all.

The corner of her lips lifted.

"When the day comes, make sure you're dressed properly," she added, her tone easy but carrying quiet authority. "Whatever his current situation, the Duke still commands real wealth, and that kind of influence doesn't vanish overnight. The celebration will be anything but modest. Anyone who matters in Vanelle will be there."

Her gaze moved between the two of them, measured and deliberate.

"So try not to embarrass the family."

The invitation made its way into the royal residence as well.

Isla held the parchment between her fingers, reading it once, then again, her brows drawing together.

After a moment, she asked, "Did she send one to Elira too?"

The attendant beside her shook her head. "No, Your Majesty. This was delivered only to your court. Nothing was sent to Lady Elira."

Isla let out a faint, humorless laugh. "Careful. Very careful."

Anyone paying attention knew where Duskmoor's loyalties had once leaned. And yet this time, Elowen had followed court etiquette perfectly, acknowledging only the Queen.

The attendant lowered her voice. "Will Your Majesty attend?"

"I have no intention of going," Isla replied sharply.

Just seeing that title written out so formally was enough to sour her mood. Granting it in the first place had clearly been a mistake.

If anyone deserved blame, it was that useless Daphne.

The attendant hesitated, then ventured, "The princess hasn't spoken to you in quite some time. If you mentioned the celebration to her, she might—"

That only made things worse.

Isla's hand snapped, and the invitation was flung onto the stone floor. "I carried her, raised her, and now she turns on me over an outsider. And I'm the one who's supposed to smooth things over?"

Before the attendant could respond, footsteps sounded outside.

Alaric entered the chamber.

Since the decree had stripped Cassian of his title, his mood had been noticeably lighter, and that satisfaction still lingered faintly in his expression.

Then he noticed the invitation on the floor.

He slowed. "What's that?"

"Your Highness, it's—"

The attendant started forward, but he had already crossed the distance, bending to pick it up.

He opened it, and his eyes landed immediately on the name at the bottom.

Lady of the First Rank, Duchess of Grace and Virtue.

The trace of a smile on his face disappeared.

Isla, still irritated, didn't bother softening her tone. "What do you want?"

Alaric didn't answer. He held up the invitation slightly. "Why throw this away?"

Isla stiffened, then her anger flared again. "Because I felt like it. Do I need to explain myself to you over a piece of parchment?"

His gaze moved from her face back to the invitation, his tone calm but edged. "She followed every rule. She knows exactly who holds authority in the inner court, and she sent this to you alone. And you toss it aside without a second thought."

He looked at her directly. "So I'm curious. What has she done that's so unforgivable you won't even accept a properly delivered invitation?"

"You—"

Isla's breath hitched, her hand trembling. "Your sister is already testing my patience, and now you've come to do the same. Do you all think you can defy me now?"

Alaric's voice stayed even. "I came to pay my respects. I asked because I happened to see this."

Isla let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "Pay your respects? You heard about the celebration and came here hoping I'd agree so you could attend. Don't pretend otherwise."

Alaric met her gaze, then smiled faintly, almost lazily. "You're the one who taught me how to behave properly. You said I should show her respect when I address her. Now she's hosting a formal celebration and has extended an invitation to the Queen. As Crown Prince, it would reflect poorly on the royal family if I didn't attend."

He paused, his voice lowering just enough to carry weight. "And beyond that, if I don't go, I might lose my chance to bring a future Crown Princess into the palace."