Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 73: Cassian's Stand

Cora replied, "Lady Marwen and Lady Sylvia are in the parlor. They demanded refreshments. I consulted Her Grace, and she ordered them to be served."

Cassian's gaze shifted to Elowen. "And why are they in the parlor?"

Elowen finally finished her mouthful of pie and swallowed. Her answer was blunt. "She wants me to find a way to take Sylvia to the palace, to present her to Her Majesty and the Crown Prince as a candidate for Crown Princess."

Cassian let out a soft, incredulous laugh. "She has quite the imagination."

He tilted his head. "Keep eating. I'll go talk to them in a bit."

Elowen assumed a docile tone. "I should accompany you, Your Grace."

"As you wish," he agreed.

Once breakfast was done, Elowen wheeled him to the parlor.

Inside, Marwen had already drunk most of her tea and finished the pastries. She was just considering demanding more when footsteps sounded outside.

She stood up, a smug smile on her face.

"Your Grace, you can't just leave us sitting here like this. Some matters, you—"

Her words cut off abruptly as her eyes landed on Cassian's cold, handsome face.

Primal fear surged through her. She took two involuntary steps back, forcing a shaky smile. "Y-Your Grace, you're still at the manor?"

Cassian's gaze was frosty. "Aunt. This is not the first, nor the second time you have imposed upon my wife."

Marwen blinked, feigning innocence. "Impose? I... I would never! How could you say such a thing?"

Cassian leaned back in his wheelchair. "Then explain your presence here."

Marwen cleared her throat. "Her Grace took Sylvia to the palace verse salon yesterday. Sylvia was clumsy and caused a bit of a scene. I brought her here to apologize..."

Cassian raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Apologized, and then decided to stay?"

His eyes flicked to the empty cup and pastry plate. "You've consumed quite a bit. Shall we have a room prepared so you can spend the night?"

Tears instantly welled in Marwen's eyes. "So this is it! Married and powerful now, and you turn your back on your uncle's family! Your uncle doted on you! Whatever you wanted, he'd move heaven and earth to get it. He followed you onto the battlefield! He died saving your life! When they brought his body back, there wasn't a patch of skin left whole!"

She sank into a chair, dabbing at her eyes. "And what's left? A widow and her children, alone and helpless! All I want is a good match for my daughter. Is that a crime? Her Grace comes from the noble House of Hale. She looks down on us, leaves us sitting here ignored. Fine! I can't say anything to her. But you, Your Grace... I'm your aunt! How can you treat me this way? Have you no conscience? Doesn't it shame you, thinking of your uncle looking down from heaven, unable to rest in peace?"

Listening beside him, Elowen felt a cold sweat break out.

Dragging Cassian over in such a rush today suddenly felt reckless.

Aldric had been close to Cassian, his savior. This tearful appeal would soften any heart.

And she... she had only been married to Cassian for a short time. Why would he take her side over his late uncle's widow?

It was then she heard Cassian's low, derisive chuckle.

"Aunt," he said, his voice cutting through the theatrical sobs. "In this world, whoever cries the fastest or the loudest is not necessarily in the right."

Elowen blinked, looking down at him in surprise.

Marwen also froze mid-sniffle, staring.

Cassian's expression remained impassive. "Your words are mistaken. What do you mean, 'powerful now and turning your back'? Have you forgotten? I was born to royal nobility. For me, there is no 'becoming' powerful. I am the power others seek."

Marwen's mouth opened and closed soundlessly.

"You are correct about one thing—I am married now," Cassian continued, his tone relentless. "When Uncle died, I brought you and your children into this manor immediately. I was unmarried then, so I temporarily entrusted the household management to you. All these years, the 'fees' and 'gifts' you've skimmed—did you think I was blind? I turned a blind eye out of respect for Uncle's memory.

"Your son's constant scrapes and scandals outside—who has smoothed them over every time? And your eldest daughter, married into Earl Manor—how many lovers does she keep on the side? In any other family, she'd have been given divorce papers long ago. They tolerate her only because they fear offending me. If Uncle truly looks down from heaven, I believe he would be deeply ashamed of you all."

Marwen's face had gone ashen.

"Aunt," Cassian said, his voice dropping to a deadly calm. "My position is clear. Out of respect for Uncle, you may continue to reside in Rose Hall. As for Sylvia's marriage, my wife and I will discuss and find a suitable match. As for the Crown Prince's Wing—abandon that fantasy. If you persist, or use it to harass my wife again, do not blame me for severing all ties."

He narrowed his eyes, the threat palpable. "Aunt. Do I make myself clear?"

A chill ran down Marwen's spine. She found herself nodding slowly, helplessly. "C- crystal clear."