Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 552: The Trap Closes

Cassian leaned in slightly, studying her face.

"Pale," he said. "Enough that I feel like heading back and putting Alaric through a wall."

Elowen let out a soft laugh.

"Then we might as well make it convincing," she said, eyes glinting. "Go get Hugh."

Cassian nodded and stepped out.

...

Mira arrived at Falconcrest Manor not long after.

As Elowen's personal maid and a familiar face, she was recognized immediately at the gate.

The guard greeted her with an easy smile. "Here on Her Grace's business again?"

Mira didn't return the smile. "I need to see the Duchess. Right now."

Something in her tone made him straighten at once. "This way."

The main hall overlooked a quiet stretch of water, flowering trees swaying just beyond the windows.

Inside, Duchess Yvonne sat at a polished table, preparing coffee with slow, practiced movements.

Sylvia sat across from her, watching closely.

Mira stepped forward and lowered herself into a deep, formal bow. "Mira greets Your Grace, and my lady."

Yvonne looked up, smiling faintly. "Mira. Where's your mistress? Why didn't she come along?"

Sylvia added warmly, "I was just thinking I should visit her soon."

Mira didn't rise.

Her eyes were already red.

"Her Grace... had a pregnancy scare today. She couldn't come."

The smile disappeared from Yvonne's face. "What?"

Sylvia went pale. "What? How did that happen? She was fine just days ago."

Mira wiped at her tears, but they kept falling. "I... I don't even know how to explain it properly. Please, you should come see her. I'm really worried..."

Her voice broke apart, her words tumbling over each other.

Sylvia was already on her feet. "Mother, I'm going now."

"I'm coming with you," Yvonne said immediately.

She turned to a servant. "Have the carriage prepared, and make sure it rides smooth. And bring that aged restorative tonic from my stores."

By the time they reached Hale Manor, Hugh's voice could already be heard from inside.

"...She pushed herself too hard traveling and was shaken badly. That's what triggered it. The good news is she got back in time, and we've stabilized things. For now, she's out of danger. But she needs complete rest. No stress, no shocks..."

Sylvia didn't wait. She headed straight inside.

In the outer room, Hugh was finishing a prescription while speaking with Cassian.

She gave a quick bow. "Your Grace, where is she?"

Cassian nodded toward the inner room. "Inside."

Sylvia headed straight inside without another word, the Duchess right behind her.

Hugh paused mid-sentence, glancing up at Cassian, his look clearly asking, "That enough?"

Cassian didn't bother speaking. He just leaned back slightly, his expression easy, almost bored. "Yeah. You're done. Get out."

Elowen lay propped against the headboard, covered with a thick quilt.

Her face looked drained of color, her lips pale, her eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.

She slowly opened them as they entered, surprise flickering across her expression. "Sylvia? What are you doing here? And Duchess Yvonne as well..."

She turned a reproachful look toward Mira. "You really didn't have to make such a fuss over this."

Mira dropped low again immediately, her voice breaking as she spoke. "Your Grace, I know you didn't want to trouble anyone, but what happened today at the Crown Prince's Wing... you were treated so unfairly. You could barely stay on your feet on the way back. The Hale Manor has no one left to rely on, and His Grace no longer holds power. If not Falconcrest Manor, who do we turn to? This child wasn't easily conceived. I can't risk anything happening to you... or the baby."

Yvonne spoke calmly, stepping in at once. "Don't blame her. She's only trying to protect you."

Sylvia sat beside the bed, her expression tight with worry. "Tell me what happened."

Cora stepped in right on cue, pulling over two chairs and setting them by the bedside for the ladies to sit.

Elowen sighed softly. "It's nothing serious. Today was the release of the trial results. The Crown Prince invited the top candidates to a feast."

Sylvia nodded. "Yes, my husband mentioned it. But what does that have to do with you?"

Elowen's voice remained gentle. "He sent for me specifically. Said that since I write popular stories and hold the title Lady of Grace and Virtue, I should come meet the new scholars."