Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 500: A Line You Don't Cross

The round-faced girl looked momentarily thrown, then recovered with a faint, amused smile. "All right then, explain it. What exactly makes her so admirable to you?"

Elara didn't hesitate. "Because she's Azure. I've read Tales of Luminara and Ode to Springlight more times than I can count. I never get tired of them."

The girl let out a soft scoff, her expression openly dismissive. "Those? They're just romantic stories people pass around for amusement. Entertaining at best, but hardly something worth taking seriously."

Elara's brows drew together, but before she could respond, the girl continued, clearly enjoying the sound of her own voice.

"My grandfather is Edmund, a scholar whose name carries weight across the realm. I was raised on proper learning, taught what truly matters. Stories that revolve around romance and personal entanglements don't hold any real value. Carrying one around would only make a mockery of my upbringing."

Elara felt her patience thinning. "If you don't like them, that's your choice. But why drag your family's name into it like that?"

The girl tilted her chin slightly. "Because it reflects standards. If we're being honest, the title Lady of Grace and Virtue should have gone to Clarisse of the Baker family. She's a true talent. As for the Duchess, those stories only appeal to girls who haven't been properly educated. No respectable lady spends her days buried in romance."

Elara's hand tightened at her side.

She really thinks she can talk like that and get away with it.

She took a step forward, ready to put an end to it, when a voice carried across the garden entrance.

"Her Highness, Princess Maerwyn, has arrived."

The tension shifted instantly.

Everyone turned.

Maerwyn stepped into view, dressed in deep rose silk threaded with gold, her posture effortless, her presence commanding without a word. A line of attendants followed behind her at a respectful distance.

She walked straight ahead, barely sparing a glance for the young ladies who inclined their heads as she passed.

As she neared the gazebo, the group quickly composed themselves.

"Your Highness."

Elara lowered her head as well.

Maerwyn didn't acknowledge them and continued forward, as if they weren't worth her time.

Elara glanced at the round-faced girl, then back at Maerwyn.

Then she made up her mind.

She straightened. "Your Highness."

Maerwyn stopped, turning back with visible impatience in her eyes, as though deciding whether this interruption was worth her attention.

Elara held her gaze, her pulse quickening, but her voice remained steady. "We were just talking about the Duchess. And her books."

That was enough to shift Maerwyn's interest.

"And what about them?" she asked.

Elara let out a quiet breath. "I admire her work. But Wendy here believes those stories are beneath notice. She said only girls without refinement would enjoy them, and that anyone who reads them regularly should feel ashamed."

Wendy's composure faltered. She opened her mouth quickly, clearly intending to explain herself.

She didn't get the chance.

Maerwyn's eyes settled on her, the warmth gone entirely, leaving something cold and sharp behind.

"Is that right?"

The words were calm, but they carried weight that pressed down on the space.

Wendy's lips trembled. "Your Highness, I... that's not what I meant..."

Maerwyn's tone turned cool and cutting. "I read those books as well. By your reasoning, that would make me unrefined too. I make a point of keeping up with Azure's latest work. So I suppose I've already embarrassed myself beyond repair."

"No, Your Highness, I would never dare imply that," Wendy said quickly, her voice tightening.

Off to the side, Elara finally felt the tight knot in her chest loosen.

At a moment like this, she wasn't about to stay quiet.

"Please don't be too hard on her, Your Highness," she said, her tone mild, almost considerate. "Wendy likely spoke without thinking. With a scholar like Edmund guiding her household, I imagine they value restraint and simplicity. Her own celebrations are probably very modest."

She let that settle before continuing.

"So seeing something like this today might have caught her off guard. It's only natural she'd feel a little unsettled. That might be why she started guessing at the Duchess's situation and dismissing her work."

Maerwyn let out a soft laugh, though there was no warmth in it. "Not be hard on her?"

Her gaze sharpened as it fixed on Wendy. "You question my taste and speak lightly of my aunt by marriage, and you expect me to let it go."

Her voice lowered, steady but edged with steel. "Do you honestly think your grandfather's reputation gives you the freedom to speak out of turn in front of me?"