Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 525: A Tale of Two Mornings

In the Crown Prince's Wing, Alaric lay buried under heavy blankets, brow furrowed as he turned onto his side and pressed his face into the pillow, exhaustion clinging to him like a weight he couldn't shake.

He did not want to get up.

Tristan hesitated for a moment before forcing himself to speak. "Your Highness, it's already quite late. The ministers said you must be there before the morning bell..."

"I heard you the first time, didn't I?" Alaric snapped, irritation sharp in his voice. "Do you ever stop talking?"

Tristan immediately fell silent.

Alaric's expression darkened as he threw the covers aside and sat up. He remained at the edge of the bed, head lowered, pressing his fingers hard against his temples as they throbbed.

"...It's all for Ella... all for her... I'll make her regret it..."

I'm doing all of this for her. She'll see eventually. She has to.

He muttered to himself for a long moment before finally gritting his teeth and forcing himself to stand.

He had just slipped on his shoes and tried to rise when his knees suddenly gave out beneath him. Without warning, he dropped hard onto the floor.

The impact knocked the last trace of sleep out of him.

Tristan had his back turned, focused on straightening the bedding, and didn't react in time.

Back when things were different, Alaric would have been attended by several servants the moment he stirred. Now, ever since his temperament had grown increasingly suspicious and volatile, he kept only Tristan and Iris close.

Today, it was Tristan's turn.

Too many tasks, too few hands. A moment's delay was inevitable.

Alaric's humiliation instantly turned to anger.

"You blind idiot!" he snapped, voice rising. "What matters more, me or those damn blankets?"

Tristan flinched, nearly dropping what he was holding. He turned, saw Alaric sitting on the floor, and went pale as he rushed forward.

"Your Highness!" he said, reaching out to help him up.

Alaric slapped his arm away. "And now you show up? What good is that?"

Tristan froze, then dropped low, pressing himself to the floor. "Your Highness, forgive me! It's my fault!"

"My fault?" Alaric let out a cold laugh. "Then go wait outside the door and get your head straight. Stay there for two hours. Don't move unless I say so."

Tristan pressed his forehead to the cold stone. "Yes, Your Highness."

He started to rise when Aralic said, "Stay down."

Alaric's voice cut through the room, low and icy.

Tristan stiffened.

He did not dare lift his head. Slowly, he lowered his knee back to the ground and began moving toward the door on his hands and knees, inch by inch.

Alaric watched him leave, the anger in his chest easing slightly. He grabbed the bedpost and pulled himself up, steadying his balance.

The meeting with the Ministry of Rites dragged on endlessly, dry and suffocating. By the time Alaric had been seated there for hours, his head felt heavy, his thoughts sluggish.

At Hale Manor, the morning could not have been more different.

Elowen stirred awake slowly, stretching lazily beneath the covers. The warmth of the bed wrapped around her so comfortably that she had no desire to move.

"Your Grace," Mira said softly as she stepped inside, careful not to make noise. "It's getting late. Time to get up."

Elowen didn't even fully open her eyes. "Mira... this bed is too comfortable. I don't want to get up."

Mira opened her mouth to coax her further, but the sound of steady footsteps approached from outside. She smiled to herself and quietly stepped back out.

Elowen turned her head slightly.

Through the gauzy bed curtains, she saw Cassian enter.

He moved with easy confidence, walking straight to the bedside. With one hand, he drew the curtain aside and looked down at her, warmth in his eyes.

He leaned in slightly. "Still not up? I made breakfast. Fresh bread with butter, roasted mushrooms, and a bit of cheese, just the way you like. The stew's been simmering over the hearth since early morning."

Elowen pouted. "I'm not getting up without a kiss."

Cassian didn't hesitate. He bent down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

She immediately stretched her arms toward him, smiling. "And I want a hug too."

The affection in his gaze deepened.

He reached out, lifting her straight up along with the blankets wrapped around her, holding her with effortless ease as he helped her get dressed and ready.

On the other side, the morning dragged on into midday.

Alaric barely managed a few bites of breakfast before rushing off again to report to Theodric.

Back at Hale Manor, Elowen was taking her time enjoying her meal.

The meal Cassian prepared was simple but deeply satisfying. The stew had a rich, savory depth from hours over the fire, the mushrooms were tender and full of flavor, and the greens added a fresh, earthy balance. She ate slowly, enjoying each bite in quiet contentment.

Without realizing it, she finished more than usual.

Only after setting her utensils down did she pause, resting a hand lightly against her stomach.

"I ate too much."

Cassian had been watching her the whole time, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Then let's walk it off in the courtyard."

Elowen's face brightened instantly. She nodded.

They strolled slowly through the yard together.

The spring sunlight fell warm across them, gentle and golden.

Elowen paused, staring at the fresh green shoots budding along the branches. After a moment, she turned, eyes bright as she looked at him.

"Cassian, we should start a garden."

Not long after she first arrived, he had asked what she wanted changed in the estate. She had mentioned wanting a small vegetable garden.

At the time, it had been too late in the season.

Then everything else had gotten in the way.

Now, with spring settling in and things finally calmer, it was the perfect time.

Cassian's voice was gentle. "What do you want to plant?"