Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 522: Not So Peaceful

Cassian let out a low laugh. "That might be what you want, but tonight isn't going to be quiet."

Elowen blinked. "What do you mean?"

Before she could react, Cassian pulled her in with one arm, drawing her fully into his lap. He leaned in close, his lips near her ear, and murmured something too low for anyone else to hear.

Elowen's face flushed instantly. She pushed at him, but there was no real force behind it, more instinct than resistance.

Her hands ended up against his chest, fingers brushing, then lingering, tracing over the firm lines there.

Soft and warm against her touch, the feeling settled in, easy and lingering. She didn't pull away.

Lowering her voice, she said, "Cassian... it feels like you've gotten broader lately."

His voice dropped, roughened slightly. "I used to be in better shape. After being stuck in bed and in that chair for so long, I lost some of it. Lately I've had time again, so I've been training."

His gaze settled on her, dark and steady. "Do you like it, Ella?"

Elowen nodded honestly.

That was all the answer he needed.

He lifted her easily, settling her more securely against him, and the moment stretched, slow and unhurried.

Time slipped.

By the latter half of the night, Elowen's voice had gone soft, her eyes damp as she pressed lightly against him. "I'm done... I really am..."

Cassian's hand moved to her cheek, his thumb brushing gently along her skin. "I'm not."

Elowen shook her head, stubborn despite everything. "No. I'm sleeping."

He looked at her for a long moment. Then he sighed. In the end, he let her go.

It had been meant as punishment, but as always, he gave in to her instead.

There was no helping it.

He had spoiled her himself.

Cassian leaned in and kissed her cheek softly before pulling the covers up around her. His voice was quiet, warm, carrying something deeper beneath it.

"Happy birthday, Ella. May you have a long, full life."

...

Alaric had drunk far too much.

By the time he was in the carriage, he was already barely conscious, completely disoriented. He had been sick several times on the way back, and even after returning, it hadn't stopped. He couldn't even keep down the herbal tonic meant to settle his stomach.

It wasn't until deep into the night that things finally quieted.

He ended up alone, curled on the bed, slipping into a restless sleep.

And then the dreams came.

Fragments of another life.

He saw himself, doubled over with stomach pain, and Elowen beside him, carrying a steaming bowl of soup with both hands.

Her eyes had always been bright when she looked at him and always fixed on him.

How did I not see it back then?

The way she looked at him, full of quiet hope. The way her fingers had reddened from the heat of the bowl.

He should have said something.

Just once.

"Ella, thank you."

"Does it hurt? Is it too hot?"

"You don't have to do this yourself next time. Have someone else bring it."

But he hadn't.

Instead, he had said, "Why are you here again? Stop making a mess and get out. I don't want to see you."

The memory hit like a blade.

Alaric's chest tightened painfully, breath catching as tears spilled over again, soaking into the bedding beneath him.

He hated himself for it.

The next morning, Alaric woke with a pounding head, his body still heavy from the wine. He called for Tristan to assist him.

"Your Highness."

As Tristan helped him dress, a servant announced from outside, "Jayce and Ayden from the Baker family have arrived. They've brought new paintings and calligraphy for Your Highness."

Alaric gave a low, distracted response. "I'll see them shortly."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Once dressed, Alaric glanced at his reflection.

He still looked worn, his expression dull, his energy low. He didn't bother fixing it.

He simply walked out.

Jayce and Ayden were already waiting in the study. The moment they saw him, they stood and bowed.

"Your Highness."

Alaric dropped into his seat, clearly uninterested. "What is it?"

The two exchanged a glance.

Jayce Baker started first. "It's about those two useless boys back home..."

Ayden Baker cut in with a polite smile. "Perhaps we should have the room cleared first."

Alaric gave him a brief look, then waved a hand. "Leave us."

The attendants withdrew immediately.

Jayce glanced at Ayden again, receiving a subtle nod before continuing, "It's about Albert and Liam. The court qualification trials are coming up, and the two of them are so anxious they can barely eat or sleep. They're worried they won't pass."

Alaric let out a cold laugh. "If they're that worried, they should spend less time drinking and more time studying."

Ayden smiled, unbothered. "You're right, of course. It's not that they don't try, but the exams have been especially difficult these past few years, and the grading stricter than ever. They've taken it several times without success. Normally, it wouldn't matter so much, but Dad's health has been declining. They just want to pass this year, to give him some peace of mind."

Alaric frowned slightly. Grandfather...

That gave him pause.

Jayce still looked uncertain, watching both Ayden and Alaric carefully.

Ayden, however, continued smoothly. "This year, His Majesty has entrusted the court qualification trials to you. With such authority in your hands, surely it wouldn't be unreasonable to look after your own family a little."

Alaric's gaze turned cold as he looked at him. "You say that like it's nothing. If word of tampering with the exams reached the King, what exactly do you expect me to do then?"