Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 524: Eyes in Passing

Iris tilted her head slightly, as if recalling. "I don't know much about art, but I did hear one name mentioned. Winter Crows on the Water."

Leonhart stopped mid-step, eyes going wide. "You're serious? That piece?"

His voice rose with disbelief. "I've been looking for that for years. Everyone says the original is gone, only copies left, and most of those aren't even worth mentioning. He actually found it?"

He rubbed his hands together, excitement practically spilling over.

Iris kept her tone mild. "I can't say whether it's genuine. I only heard that the brushwork makes the birds look almost alive."

Leonhart gave her a sideways look. "You say you don't know art, then say something like that? That's not fair."

Iris lowered her gaze quickly. "I wouldn't dare. I'm only repeating what I was told."

Leonhart studied her for a moment, then smiled, clearly charmed by her sincerity.

Then something clicked in his mind. "Wait, yesterday at Hale Manor, you seemed a little off. What was going on? Is someone giving you trouble at the Crown Prince's Wing?"

At that, Iris's smile faded just slightly. She shook her head. "You misunderstand. No one is troubling me."

Leonhart didn't believe that for a second. If anything, it made him more curious. He was about to press further when he suddenly stopped and straightened.

"Your Highness."

Iris followed his line of sight.

She lifted her gaze slightly and met a pair of dark, steady eyes. Then she saw him clearly.

Caelan.

His expression was calm, composed, his presence quiet but unmistakable. The moment their eyes met, something tightened in her chest.

She immediately lowered her gaze and stepped aside, giving a proper curtsy.

Caelan didn't look at her again. His attention remained on Leonhart. "Leonhart, heading to the Crown Prince's Wing?"

Leonhart grinned. "Yeah. Alaric got his hands on some rare pieces and asked me to come take a look. Might even gift me one or two if I'm lucky. Where are you headed?"

"To the Pavilion of Imperial Grace. His Majesty asked me to retrieve some records."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted briefly toward Iris. "And this is?"

Iris felt her shoulders tense slightly.

Leonhart answered casually. "She serves at the Crown Prince's Wing. Very capable. Her name's Iris."

Iris remained lowered, but a chill crept through her. Caelan gave a quiet acknowledgment.

"I won't keep you," he said calmly. "I have somewhere to be."

Leonhart waved him off. "Go ahead."

They parted at the crossing path. Iris straightened and Leonhart kept talking beside her, going on about the paintings with growing excitement, but none of it reached her. His words blurred into background noise.

Iris's attention had already drifted far from the conversation.

It's on him. On that gaze.

There had been something in his eyes, something steady and unreadable, the kind of look that didn't pass over a person by accident. It lingered. It weighed.

That feeling yesterday... like someone had been watching her without ever stepping into the light...

The memory returned with unsettling clarity.

The same quiet pressure settled over her again, as if she were being observed even now.

The thought forming in her mind became harder to ignore, and with it came a growing sense of unease.

A light breeze moved through the palace road, catching a few loose strands of hair at her temple. She raised her hand to smooth them back, using the motion as cover. Gathering what composure she could, she turned her head slightly and cast a quick glance behind her, toward the direction Caelan had gone.

At that exact moment, he stepped around the bend. As if he had anticipated it, he turned his head.

And looked directly at her.

Their eyes met across the distance.

Not close, not far, but near enough that nothing in that moment could be mistaken.

There was no surprise in his expression. No hesitation.

Only a quiet, deliberate focus. And beneath it, something sharper.

A flicker of interest that felt far too intentional. As if he had been waiting for her to realize.

As if he were saying, "So you've finally caught on."

There was nothing reassuring in it.

A chill ran through her. She broke the eye contact almost immediately, lowering her gaze to the pale stone beneath her feet. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, betraying a faint tremor she couldn't quite suppress.

Now she was certain.

It was him.

The one who had been watching her.

But why?

Spring settled deeper over Vanelle, the air growing softer with each passing day.

The court qualification trials were drawing near. Alaric had barely had time to rest.

Before dawn, the Crown Prince's Wing was already lit.

He had slept less than two hours when Tristan woke him.

"Your Highness, it's time. The officials from the Ministry of Rites are waiting in the side chamber. Today is the final review of candidate records from Southvale..."