Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 74: A Home to Build

Cassian finally shifted his gaze to Sylvia. She stood pale with a mixture of shame and fear.

His tone, however, was surprisingly even when he addressed her. "Discuss your preferences with Elowen. She is kind-hearted and will find you a suitable match."

Sylvia responded haltingly, "Yes, Your Grace..."

Elowen offered her a gentle smile. "Go back with your mother for now. I'll look into families in Vanelle with sons of appropriate age and standing. We'll arrange meetings."

Sylvia nodded meekly. "Yes, Your Grace."

Leaving the parlor, Elowen felt a lingering sense of awe.

It was almost unbelievable—Cassian hadn't softened at his aunt's tears. He had stood firmly by her side.

Perhaps Marwen's behavior over the years simply pushed him too far.

"The day after tomorrow is my uncle's memorial day," Cassian said, his voice low as she wheeled him.

Elowen paused, looking down at him.

From her angle, she could see his smooth brow, the bridge of his nose, and the thick sweep of his lashes.

Though she couldn't see his expression, she could feel the weight of his mood.

After a moment's thought, she ventured, "Would you like me to accompany you to pay respects?"

He made an affirmative sound. "Yes."

Somehow, Elowen sensed his spirits lifting slightly.

Back in their chambers, she asked, "Would you like to rest some more, my lord?"

Cassian shook his head. "No. If I sleep now, I won't sleep tonight."

Elowen nodded.

"I'll go to the study to read." He had brought back several "interesting items" from the palace, most notably Tales of Luminara, of which he had only finished half.

"Alright."

As she began pushing him toward the study, Cassian suddenly asked, "Where do you usually review the household accounts?"

"In the room next to our bedchamber," Elowen replied naturally.

The main courtyard was sizable, but it had only one proper study—Cassian's.

As someone who had grown up in a military household, Elowen knew a Duke's study would be full of important, often secret documents like military maps. She didn't dare enter casually, fearing she might be blamed if anything went missing.

As a child at Hale Manor, she had wandered freely in and out of her father's and brothers' studies. They would never have blamed her.

But in her past life, she had entered Alaric's study twice.

Once, when some important intelligence went missing, he had immediately suspected her and punished her severely.

Since then, she had become cautious.

The room next to their bedchamber was small, but it sufficed for ledgers.

Cassian frowned upon hearing this. "That courtyard hasn't been properly arranged."

Truthfully, before his coma, he hadn't anticipated marrying her.

Her connection with Alaric had been common knowledge in Vanelle. Cassian, believing they were destined for each other, had left for the battlefield with a heavy heart.

He hadn't expected to wake and find her as his Duchess.

After a moment's thought, he decided. "This afternoon, I'll have that room properly furnished."

"It has a table and shelves. It's adequate for my use," Elowen protested softly.

She didn't want to trouble him.

"It needs work," Cassian insisted. "I know that room. The table is low. You sit on the floor to read the ledgers, don't you? That's not comfortable. The shelves are too small. New furniture will be purchased."

"...All right," she conceded, seeing he was set on it.

"Is there anything else that needs attention?" he asked.

"Nothing else." Elowen shook her head.

Cassian, however, seemed to be making a mental inventory. "You don't have a proper dressing room or a wardrobe chamber. And the kitchen—this courtyard lacks a dedicated scullery."

Elowen was suddenly reminded of a scene from Tales of Luminara.

After Alrik and Luminara married, they worked together to arrange their new home.

At the time, she had thought it the height of romance—building a life with the man she loved.

A life she and Alaric never shared.

Ironically, she was now experiencing it with Cassian.

Elowen felt like fate was messing with her.

"Don't you think this courtyard is rather bare?" Cassian asked, seeking her opinion. "A few trees, no flowers. What flowers do you like? I'll have some planted."

Elowen felt a little embarrassed. "I don't know many types of flowers..."

"Trees, then?"

She grew even more flustered. "I don't know many trees either..."

Cassian fell silent for a beat.

Elowen suggested in a small voice, "Maybe... we could plant some vegetables?"

Cassian blinked.

Elowen's cheeks pinkened.

Cassian let out a soft laugh. "Very well. Vegetables it is."

True to his decisive nature, Cassian set things in motion that very day, dispatching servants to procure furnishings.

Duskmoor Manor was always under close watch, and news of the sudden flurry of activity soon reached the palace.