The Alpha’s Forgotten Daughter; The Luna They Threw Away のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

Elowen’s POVCaelan came to my room the following morning with a folder in his hand.“I brought you something.”I looked up from the small pile of clothes I was sorting.“What is it?”“Alaric’s background.”He placed the folder on the table. I wiped my hands and opened it. The first page contained his name, age, territory, family history, position, and financial standing.I read everything.Caelan watched me.“You’re actually reading all of it?”“Yes.”“You trust the information?”“I trust that you wouldn’t bring me someone without checking.”He nodded.“That doesn’t mean you should rely on my judgment.”“I don’t.”His eyebrows lifted.I turned another page.“Does he have debts?”“No.”“Political disputes?”“None that would affect you.”“Previous marriage?”“No.”“Children?”“No.”“Any major health concerns?”Caelan stared at me.“No.”I looked up.“What?”“You’re treating this like a contract.”“I am treating it like my future.”He didn’t answer.I continued reading.“What does he ex

Seraphine’s POVI found Elowen in the library the following afternoon. She was sitting near the window with several papers spread across the table.I recognized the top page. Alaric Thorne. So she was taking the arrangement seriously. I smiled as I walked toward her.“Are those his terms?”Elowen looked up, “Yes.”“I heard the meeting went well.”“It did.”I pulled out the chair opposite her.“May I?”She nodded.I sat.“I wanted to congratulate you.”“For what?”“For finding someone willing to consider the arrangement.”Elowen’s expression remained calm.“Thank you.”“Alpha Thorne seems respectable.”“He does.”“You’ve always deserved someone respectable.”She looked at me for a moment.“That’s kind of you.”I smiled.“I mean it.”“I know.”I picked up one of the papers. She immediately reached across and took it from my hand.I laughed softly.“Sorry.”“It’s private.”“Of course.”I leaned back.“I hope you’re happy, Elowen.”She looked at me.“I hope so too.”There was something st

Kaelith’s POVThe necklace had been found. That should have ended the matter. It didn’t. Draven spent most of the evening demanding to know how it had ended up inside an old storage cabinet. Caelan ordered the servants to check who had accessed the room. Seraphine thanked everyone who helped search for it, but she looked unsettled whenever Elowen’s name came up.And Elowen?She went upstairs and checked whether Isolde had taken her medicine.That was it.I found Draven in the west sitting room later that evening.“You’re still investigating?”He looked up sharply.“Yes.”“Why?”“Because someone put that necklace there.”“Perhaps.”His expression hardened.“You don’t think that’s suspicious?”“I think the necklace was found somewhere Elowen couldn’t reasonably have been accused of taking it from.”Draven folded his arms.“You’re defending her again.”“No.”“Then what are you doing?”“Looking at the facts.”His jaw tightened.“She was in the room.”“And she didn’t have the necklace.”“Y

Elowen’s POVBy the time I entered the dining room, everyone was already there. Caelan sat at the head of the table, his expression unusually serious. Draven was beside him, looking as though he had been forced into attending a meeting he already disliked.Seraphine sat across from them, composed as always. Kaelith was there too. And beside him sat Alaric. My steps slowed for half a second.Caelan had told me Alaric would be joining dinner, but knowing it and actually seeing him sitting at our table were two different things.Alaric looked up when I entered. He stood.“Lady Elowen.”I inclined my head. “Alpha Alaric.”“You can call me Alaric.”“I’ll remember that.”Caelan gestured toward the empty chair.“Sit.”I took the seat without comment. Alaric returned to his place. A servant began serving dinner, and for several minutes, the only sounds were plates being placed on the table and quiet conversation between the others. Then Seraphine smiled at Alaric.“I hope you’re not finding t

Elowen’s POVCaelan waited until Alaric was out of sight before speaking.“The message came this afternoon,” he said.I watched his face.“What did it say?”He hesitated.“Alaric's council has questions.”“About me?”“Yes.”I wasn’t surprised.“Which questions?”Caelan exhaled.“They want the details of your conviction formally acknowledged before they agree to the arrangement.”I stared at him.“Formally acknowledged?”“They want the record reviewed. The charges, the sentence, the circumstances surrounding your release.”“I see.”“Elowen…”“No. Keep going.”His jaw tightened.“There are members of his territory who don’t want the marriage to become a political problem.”I gave a quiet laugh.“A woman who spent two years in Blackstone marrying an Alpha. I suppose they have a right to ask questions.”“They aren’t all against it.”“But some are.”“Yes.”I nodded slowly.“Does Alaric know?”“He does.”“And what does he say?”“He hasn’t withdrawn his interest.”That made me look at Caelan