Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 506: No Turning Back

He paused briefly, his tone turning more contemptuous. "When Ella married you, it was because of your status. Your influence. Now that all of that is gone, do you really think she'll stay willingly? Without power, without rank, how exactly do you expect to compete with me? What are you using to take her from me?"

Before he could finish, a sharp force struck his leg.

Alaric had no time to react. He stumbled forward, nearly losing his balance, barely managing to steady himself before falling.

Anger surged as he turned, ready to demand who dared...

Then he saw her.

Elowen stood there, lowering her foot, her brows drawn tightly together.

"Finished?" she said coldly. "If you are, get out. And stop coming in here to push him around."

The word him landed harshly in Alaric's ears.

That should have been him.

Alaric forced himself to steady his breathing. "Ella... I came because I have something to say."

Her frown deepened. "You've been crossing the line more and more lately."

Every time he says my name, it's unbearable.

She didn't bother hiding her irritation. "Someone get him out."

The guards stepped forward immediately, restraining him from both sides.

Alaric didn't struggle. He simply looked at her without blinking.

Her face held nothing but dislike.

"At the engagement banquet," she said flatly, "if I truly cared about rank, why wouldn't I have chosen you? If I had said I wanted the Crown Prince, do you really think your father would have refused?"

Her gaze was sharp. "I didn't choose you because I don't like you. You irritate me. Seeing you is exhausting. So where exactly is all this confidence coming from?"

The words struck deep, a dull ache tightening in his chest.

His voice turned hoarse. "Ella... I made mistakes. I regret them. Today is your birthday. I brought you something. I just want you to forgive me."

Elowen let out a soft, incredulous laugh. "One gift, and you think I'll forgive everything? That would take something impossible."

She was about to have him dragged out when she suddenly paused.

"Oh, wait," she said. "There is one thing you could give me. That might work."

Alaric's eyes lit up instantly. "What is it? Whatever it is, I'll find a way to get it for you."

Elowen stood in the warm sunlight, her figure almost glowing.

But her expression was ice-cold, her voice carrying no warmth at all.

"Your head."

Alaric froze, his pupils widening in disbelief. Elowen tilted her head slightly. "What, can't do it?"

Her tone turned colder. "Then get out."

At her command, the guards dragged him toward the door.

As he was pulled away, he heard her voice soften behind him. "Why were you just sitting there letting him talk like that?"

She was speaking to Cassian. Alaric paused for a fraction of a second before it clicked.

So that's what that was. He saw her coming.

That sudden restraint, that silence, it had all been intentional.

He had been putting on an act.

Then Cassian's low voice followed. "I don't have much left now. I didn't want to cause you trouble. It was just a few words. It didn't matter."

Alaric nearly lost control.

"Cassian, you—"

The guards dragged him out before he could finish, his voice fading from the room.

Inside, Elowen spoke calmly, "Ignore him. He's just noise."

Cassian nodded easily.

Her gaze shifted to the chessboard. "You were playing with Hugh?"

"Mm," Cassian replied. "Halfway through. You called him away."

Elowen explained, "Something came up. Edmund's granddaughter was speaking badly about my novel behind my back. Maerwyn overheard and slapped her. Her face swelled badly, so as the host, I had to show some concern. I asked Hugh to take a look."

Cassian's expression softened slightly. "You handled it well."

Then he opened his arms toward her. "Come here."

Elowen stepped forward, reaching for his hand.

The moment she touched him, he turned his wrist and gently pulled her closer.

The movement was controlled and precise. She came to a stop right in front of him, catching the faint scent on him.

Cassian tilted his head up slightly, his voice low. "Before you came back, I already said what needed to be said to him. I only stopped when I saw you."

There was a subtle note of wanting credit in his tone.

Elowen blinked, then lowered her voice as well. "I know."

She did know. They were married. They loved each other. And now, she carried his child.

She knew exactly what kind of man he was, cold, sharp, and untouchable to the rest of the world, and yet with her, he was steady, gentle, and unwaveringly devoted.