Reborn at seventeen, Elowen gets a chance to escape the loveless marriage that once destroyed her. When the King offers to arrange her marriage, she shocks everyone by rejecting the Crown Prince and choosing Cassian, the legendary Duke lying in a coma. But Cassian was the only man who showed her kindness in her darkest life. This time, can she rewrite their fate—and awaken the man she chose?
Elowen frowned and asked Cora, “That’s the Duke’s cousin?” Cora nodded. “Yes.” Elowen had heard of him. Lucien Ashcroft, infamous for being a debauched playboy. He loved wine and women and was a regular at the Velvet Lantern. Yesterday, while she married Cassian, Lucien had been drunk in a courtesan’s arms and hadn’t returned for…
Holding the medicine in her mouth, leaning close to Cassian’s lips, and passing the warm liquid into his mouth? The image made her heart jump violently. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She asked sharply, “Who told you that unconscious people have to be fed mouth-to-mouth?” Bran answered honestly, “That’s how it’s written in storybooks.” Elowen…
Her youngest daughter, Sylvia Ashcroft, was embroidering beside her. Without lifting her head, she said, “Mother, she didn’t do anything wrong. You’re her aunt. No rule says a new bride must greet her aunt on the first day.” “I’m the one managing this household.” Sylvia muttered, “But that courtyard isn’t under your control…” Marwen choked,…
Cassian didn’t acknowledge Lucien. He lowered his eyes instead. From where he sat, he could see the sheen of sweat glistening across Elowen’s brow. “Will you give me the sword?” His voice was low, almost like a suggestion. Elowen nodded faintly in reply. Whether it was from shock or the lingering adrenaline, her voice trembled…
Bran replied honestly, “My father served in the royal guard. Not long after I was born, I was brought into the palace. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been at the Duke’s side. So it’s been…” He counted on his fingers. “Twenty-seven or twenty-eight years, I suppose?” Elowen’s thoughts stirred. She turned…
-Lucien’s name. It was his pendant. A chill ran through Marwen’s chest. “Why… why is this in your possession?” Elowen’s voice remained calm. “Last night, Lucien used your sigil to enter the Duke’s chambers. He intended to harm the Duke. Fortunately, I discovered him in time and stopped him. He fled in a panic and…
As if burned, she quickly withdrew her hand and said in a hurried whisper, “I’m sorry.” Cassian lay still, unresponsive. Elowen muttered helplessly, “I almost forgot. You can’t hear me.” She pulled her hand back, climbed onto the bed, and lay down beside him. But the sadness she had been holding back rose again. No…
When she finally stepped outside, she was surprised to find that Alaric and Leonhart were still there. Which meant… they must have heard everything she just said inside. “Would you like to join us at the House of Hundred Flavors?” Leonhart asked eagerly. “We are going there for breakfast. It’s been ages since the three…
“This brat,” the servant said, pointing at the boy, “dared to steal from Lord Lucien. I caught him red-handed.” “You caught him. Why not just return the item? Why the beating?” Elowen asked. The boy suddenly chuckled. His voice was rough, and he laughed as he pushed himself slowly upright. Seeing the boy’s face clearly,…
Vivian, however, remained calm. “Don’t worry, Mother. She’s still infatuated with His Highness. She always wanted to marry him. But she couldn’t. She wasn’t good enough. So she was forced to accept the King’s decree and marry our cousin instead. Now, if she sees someone who looks like His Highness, how could she possibly resist?”…