Filed to story: Elowen Hale and Duke Cassian Valebourne Book PDF Free
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.
And in her previous life…though he had eventually awakened-neglect and poor care had left him permanently paralyzed. Confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
He had shown her kindness-when no one else had.
The least she could do…was return it.
Care for him.
Help him recover.
Maybe-even help him walk again.
And when he woke up-she would ask for a divorce.
He likely wouldn’t want this marriage either.
Before everything fell apart, back when Cassian was still healthy, she heard whispers that he had once loved someone.
No one knew who she was.
…
Across the hall, Alaric sat rigid in his seat.
His gaze was locked on Elowen.
Unblinking.
An irritation he couldn’t explain gnawed at him.
“She wants to marry Cassian?” Maerwyn muttered under her breath, lips curling. “Elowen really is the dumbest girl alive.”
