Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 549: The Invitation

At Hale Manor, as evening settled in and the last of the daylight faded against the tall windows, Elowen had nearly finished going through the ledgers at her desk when Bran stepped inside, bringing Cora with him.

Elowen remained seated, her posture composed as she looked Cora over carefully from head to toe before speaking.

Cora lowered her gaze, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "Your Grace, I was sent here on the Crown Prince's orders."

Elowen rested her fingers lightly against the edge of the desk. "What message did he send you with?"

Cora replied, "His Highness received the top ten candidates from the court qualification trials today and has invited Your Grace to attend at the Crown Prince's Wing. First, Princess Valessa of Nordia is present, and His Highness hopes the two of you may become better acquainted. Second, Your Grace holds the title of Lady of Grace and Virtue. With such distinguished scholars present, your attendance would serve as encouragement."

She paused, then added in a quieter tone, "His Highness also gave a specific instruction. When Your Grace comes to the Crown Prince's Wing, you are not to bring any family members."

As she spoke, her gaze flickered briefly toward Cassian standing nearby.

Elowen lifted a brow. "And if I choose not to go?"

Cora lowered her head further. "His Highness said that among those invited today is a young man named Josh. He comes from a poor household. The Crown Prince's Wing does not have a carriage available to send him home, so Your Grace would be asked to take him back afterward. Otherwise, he would have to walk back on his own."

She hesitated only a fraction before continuing, "That alone would not be much of a problem, but His Highness also said that if Your Grace is unwilling to assist, Josh may be required to remain behind and work to repay the cost of today's reception. The Crown Prince's Wing does not keep idle hands."

Her voice softened at the end, her head bowed low.

Elowen's fingers curled slightly, her expression cooling. "So this is a threat."

Cora remained still. "I am only repeating His Highness's words."

Elowen let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "If he's gone this far, then I suppose I don't have much of a choice."

She rose from her seat, glancing briefly at Cassian before turning back to Cora. "He made it clear I'm not allowed to bring anyone?"

Cora nodded. "Yes, Your Grace. Only you."

Not long after, the carriage from Hale Manor rolled through the gates of the Crown Prince's Wing.

Alaric had been waiting.

The carriage came to a smooth stop, and the door was opened.

Inside, Elowen sat alone.

Alaric looked in, and something unmistakable flickered across his eyes.

In his previous life, Elowen had always kept her head lowered, her figure so slight it seemed she might be carried off by a strong wind. She rarely had new gowns made, and the ones she wore hung too loosely on her frame. When she greeted him, the fabric would shift just enough to reveal the sharp outline of her shoulders beneath.

He had never liked that.

Too fragile. Too withdrawn. Not someone who could stand beside him as Crown Princess.

But now, her complexion was soft and radiant, like ripe summer fruit warmed by the sun. With the season turning, her gowns were lighter, and the gentle curve of her abdomen was clearly visible. Yet it did not make her seem heavy. Instead, it gave her a quiet warmth, a sense of fullness that made her presence feel grounded and alive.

A flicker of regret stirred in Alaric's chest.

If he had taken her fully as his wife back then, would she have looked like this for him?

His throat tightened, and when he spoke, his voice carried a carefully measured gentleness. "Ella, you came."

Elowen remained seated, not moving. Her brows drew together slightly. "Where is Josh?"

The smile at Alaric's lips stiffened for a moment before smoothing out again. "Him? He didn't make the list. He's in one of the side halls, feeling sorry for himself."

He stepped forward and extended his hand toward her, palm open, his gesture easy and familiar. "Come on, Ella. Step down."

His posture suggested closeness, as though nothing had changed between them.

As though they still stood where they once had.

Elowen did not take his hand. She didn't even glance at it.

Her gaze remained cool and steady. "I write fiction, not political doctrine. You didn't bring me here to encourage anyone. You brought me here to show that you can control the people around me whenever you feel like it."

Alaric's hand lingered in the air before he slowly withdrew it.

He let out a quiet breath. "If you understand that, then you should also understand this. You should leave Cassian and come back to me."

Elowen said nothing.

"What do you even see in him?" Alaric let out a short laugh, edged with disdain. "He has nothing left now. No title, no estate, no command. And it's only going to get worse. Princess Valessa has already promised to support me once Nordia and Avenlor establish ties. When that happens, the first person I'll deal with will be him."

He took another step closer, his voice lowering. "Look at today. I insisted on meeting the top candidates ahead of schedule. Cassian tried to stop it, even went to speak with His Majesty, but it didn't matter. His Majesty approved it anyway. That alone shows you where things stand."

Elowen still did not respond.

"Ella..." His tone softened again, coaxing, patient. "I don't care whose child you're carrying. If you come with me, if that child calls me father, I'll give you everything. Wealth, status, anything you want. The finest horses, the grandest festivals, whatever you like."

Elowen finally spoke. "And if I refuse?"