Filed to story: Elowen Hale and Duke Cassian Valebourne Book PDF Free
“If there is someone you care for… say it.”
The King’s voice carried across the great hall from the raised dais-steady, composed, yet touched with an uncommon gentleness. Every word was deliberate, leaving no room for doubt.
“I want to hear it from you.”
Elowen Hale stood perfectly still.
In that single moment, clarity struck her like lightning.
She had returned.
Reborn-back to the year she turned seventeen.
Today was the royal banquet. Officially, it was called a “family gathering.” In truth, everyone here knew better.
The King had summoned her for one reason alone.
He intended to decide her marriage-with his own words.
Elowen parted her lips.
But no sound came out.
A storm of emotions surged through her chest, tightening her throat until it hurt. Heat burned behind her eyes, blurring her vision.
“You need not be afraid.”
When she failed to answer, the King’s voice softened even further.
“The Hale family has served the crown for generations. Your father, your uncles, your brothers… they all gave their lives for Avenlor on the battlefield.”
A pause.
“And now, only you remain.”
His gaze rested on her, steady and solemn.
“I will personally see to your marriage. No matter whom you wish to wed, I will make it so.”
Even after living through it once-after dying and returning-just hearing the name of her family made Elowen’s heart ache.
The Avenlor Kingdom had not stood for long.
Less than a century.
Its roots were shallow, its enemies many, its future uncertain.
Last year, the horsemen from the Northern Reaches had shattered the kingdom’s borders. The Hale family had been sent north to defend it.
She still remembered the day they left.
Her father, her uncles, her older brothers-
Laughing. Teasing her. Full of life.
So loud she found them unbearable.
And when they came back…
They came in coffins.
Wrapped in torn, blood-soaked cloaks.
Silent. Still.
Her aunts and sisters-in-law scattered. Some returned to their parents’ homes. Others remarried.
Her mother, crushed beneath grief, fell ill and passed away at the start of the year.
The once-lively Hale Manor-was left with only Elowen.
The King had called this a “family banquet.”
But everyone understood.
This was his way of honoring the fallen Hales.
By marrying off the last surviving daughter.
A soft laugh suddenly broke the heavy silence.
“Why even ask, Father?”
A girl’s voice rang out, light and teasing.
“Everyone knows Elowen is hopelessly in love with Alaric. She’s never exactly been subtle.”
Princess Maerwyn Valebourne.
The King’s most favored daughter.
Elowen’s fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
In her previous life-
Maerwyn had said these exact same words.
Back then, Elowen had flushed crimson, lowering her head in shy embarrassment at the mention of Alaric Valebourne-the Crown Prince.
The King had laughed heartily.
“Then it’s settled,” he had declared with a wave of his hand. “We’ll choose an auspicious day. You and Alaric shall be married.”
And she had believed it.
Believed that effort could win affection.
She had poured herself into that marriage.
Every detail of the wedding. Every preparation.
She told herself that if she tried hard enough…
He might notice her.
Might care.
But on their wedding night-
Alaric had shut her out.
He wouldn’t touch her.
Wouldn’t even let her near his bed.
By morning, Elowen was still there.
Curled on the cold stone floor.
Fully dressed.
There was no warmth.
No intimacy.
No heir. Of course.
At first, the King and Queen pitied her.
But over time, that pity turned into disappointment.
The entire Crown Prince’s Wing adjusted accordingly.
Without favor… without a child…
Elowen became invisible.
Servants no longer bothered to hide their disdain.
And she endured it all silently.
