Reincarnated As The Duke`s Fiancée

e like a monument to judgment. Each stone step seemed to echo the weight of expecta

, be watchful, be measured. My new body was lighter than I was used to, my center of gravity shifted by the absence of broad shoulders and the presenc

dapt, I reminded myself. In the warehouse, you learned the rhythm of the machines to avoid losi

than the timid innocence of the girl Lady Elowen had been. She had been soft, pliable, and frightened in her own home. I was none

ulders, the subtle flare of my waist in the corset, all of it conveyed a presence that Elowen had never possessed. And now, facing

the stairs, a soft voice call

he day before. "I brought you something for the road," she said, presenting a small bundle of linens and a n

ently, accepting the bundle

"I, yes. I only worry for you, my lady. You are brave, but... the

d her to believe there could be a way to navigate this. "I will b

. "I pray so, my

p click of polished boots against stone

d softly, y

the service corridor. The room seemed colder when she left, the

g between greed and desperation. Beside him, my mother's powder-thick face wa

rand of hair into place. "And for heaven's sake, appear grateful. H

id, my voice smooth, cool

timid Elowen who shrank under his gaze. "Watch yourself, girl! You are th

t a stronger bridge," I repli

re thrown open. Cold air swept in, tinged with pine and the metallic tang of h

at made the walls themselves seem to bend toward him. He was tall, broader in the shoulders than the foppish lords I

stormy grey, piercing, and unsettlingly intelligent. They scanned the room with a quiet calculation, as if weighing not only the furniture and the walls but also the hearts and motive

ntain the aura of dominance he exuded. There was something in the line of his jaw, the slight scar running along it, that spoke of experience, danger, and

n could see through the carefully constructed walls I had built, not only the ones Elowen Ashford carried but also the ones I had fashioned in my own memory of a harsher life. And yet, despite the

luntary pull in my chest reminded me: attraction, subtle though it was, could be as dangerous as any enemy. And Duke

ly snap. My mother curtsied, her knees trembling. I st

was no lust in his eyes, nor was there the dismissive boredom I had expected. There was a

said, his voice a

d with a measured curt

riking me immediately. Up close, I noticed a jagged scar along

t your father sent," he remarked, hi

Your Grace," I said steadily, meeting his sto

ssed over his face. Behind me, my fathe

eached out, tilting my chin with gloved fingers. Po

d, letting the word carr

a long moment, and t

Have her trunks loaded. We depart in an hour. I have no

ut the "The girl will do." He began babbling about tea and

. "Say your goodbyes. Y

a force, not a man. He knew instinctively that I was no ordinary gi

hammering. Among my belongings, a small crumpled note lay hidden beneath my jewell

o kill me. He is not a

he note, letting it fall into the fireplace. "Sorry, Elowen,"

had known for Ravenshollow, tied to a man who seemed capable of breaking me with one hand. Yet even as f

thriving on what others left behind. I, too, had survived by making something of nothing. And now, I would

original Elowen,

he Count and my mother wrung their hands, my father sputtered helplessly, and the halls seemed fi

nce, and a keen awareness of every observer. He met my gaze and held it

ric's Pe

moving around him. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine from the distant woods. He

lowen

hat spoke of awareness, of purpose. She was smaller than he expected, yet she carried herself with a poise that made her impossible to

p, scanned the driveway, her gaze flicking briefly

mall tokens of control, hoping their daughter would falter, but she

lves as fragile, pliable. Their fear was easy to rea

ing, responding in ways that

nt. He found himself noticing the curve of her neck, the sharpness in her gaze, the way the light caught her hair.

uthority, but there was an undercurrent of something almost...

eplied, voice steady, calm. There was no tre

nded the first step of the carriage. She carried herself with precision, aware of every observer yet

acknowledgment: she notices. She sees wh

he catalogued each one. She was polite, reserved, yet he could feel the subtle intelligence radiating from he

thought. Not one to be molded with gold

eyes. Not flirtation, not provocation, but something that made him aware of her in a

ed between them like a tangible weight, filled with unspoken understanding. He noted how her eyes

finally, his tone measured, neutral. "Fragile,

what she is, and she knows what I expect.

Grace," she said, calm, poised, controlled. "E

es moves, responds with calculation. Most brides would be compliant, fearful. This one... she watches, she assess

behind them. He studied her silently as the distance grew, her posture unwavering, her gaze stea

And perhaps, for the first time, he thought with quiet satisfaction, he mig