In her previous life-
Cassian awoke in the third year of her marriage.
That year…had been one of the darkest she had ever endured.
She remained childless.
The Queen arranged for Alaric to take a consort.
Compared to Elowen, the consort was cherished-by Alaric, by the servants, by the entire Crown Prince’s Wing.
Everything Elowen was not.
When Cassian finally woke, Alaric brought both women to Duskmoor Manor to visit him.
On the way back-the consort deliberately left early in the carriage.
Leaving Elowen behind. Alone.
Elowen didn’t even know the road back to the palace.
She lingered there, quietly, hoping-just hoping-someone might offer her a seat.
But everyone knew.
The Crown Prince despised her.
No one wanted to risk offending him.
She stood there as the sun dipped lower, the world slowly emptying around her-until despair began to close in.
And then-a voice.
Weak, but steady.
“There’s a carriage ready. Come.”
She turned.
Stunned.
Cassian sat in a wheelchair not far behind her, draped in a dark, loose robe.
His once-powerful frame had grown thin, his face pale and gaunt.
But when he looked at her-he smiled. Softly and gently.
“Would you care to stay for supper at Duskmoor Manor?” he asked.
“No, I-“
She meant to refuse.
She really did.
But the moment she opened her mouth-her voice broke.
Tears spilled down her cheeks without warning, relentless.
She couldn’t stop them.
She didn’t understand.
Why was she treated like this?
What had she done wrong?
Her family had died for the kingdom.
And she-was the one left behind.
Abandoned. Discarded.
All the pain she had buried so deeply, so carefully-broke loose in that moment.
Right in front of him, Cassian sighed softly.
Then, without a word, he took out a handkerchief and offered it to her.
He didn’t ask questions.
Didn’t press.
Simply stayed beside her.
The entire time.
She cried for what felt like forever.
And he never left.
After that day-she never saw him again.
But she remembered it.
For a very long time.
…
Back in the present, the King frowned, deep in thought.
He didn’t speak.
The hall waited.
It was the Queen who finally broke the silence.
Her voice was calm and measured.
“If she is truly determined to marry Cassian,” she said, “then perhaps we should honor her sincerity.”
The King glanced at her, then back at Elowen-still bowed.
At last, he sighed.
“…Very well.”
He rubbed his temple, looking suddenly tired.
“You have no family left. And Cassian is still unwell. The palace will oversee all arrangements.”
Reluctant.
But final.
Elowen raised her head eagerly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, then bowed again.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
This time-she would not repeat the same mistake.
She would not marry Alaric again.
Cassian was the best choice.
For one thing-
He was still unconscious, which alone gave her time.
Time to plan.
Time to take control of her own future.
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