Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 527

The council chamber held a quiet tension, the kind that settled in when no one dared speak first.

Alaric let the silence stretch for a beat, his gaze moving slowly across the gathered officials.

"Even if we look at it from another angle," he said at last, voice measured, "when the delegation met with Nordia, Dominic stepped forward and took the injury meant for Cassian. Had Cassian been present at court, he would have acknowledged that loyalty and seen Dominic properly advanced."

The Minister of Rites shifted where he stood, brows drawn tight, clearly unwilling to concede. His lips parted, ready to object.

Alaric did not give him the chance.

He lowered his eyes, picked up the quill, and added Dominic's name to the roster with a clean, deliberate stroke.

Then he spoke again, calm, but carrying weight.

"His Majesty placed the trials under my authority this year. That means the decisions fall to me. If you find that unacceptable, Minister, you may present your concerns directly and request someone else take my place."

No one in the room missed the meaning behind that.

It was not a suggestion.

The minister's shoulders stiffened. Whatever argument he had prepared dissolved on his tongue. After a brief hesitation, he bowed his head.

"I would not presume, Your Highness. I will abide by your judgment."

A faint curve touched Alaric's lips. "Good. Then we're done here."

The court qualification trials began soon after.

By long-standing custom in Avenlor, the examinations ran in three sessions, each lasting three full days, candidates remaining within the grounds for the duration.

On the morning the first session opened, Elowen granted Nikki leave so she could accompany her brother Josh to the Imperial Examination Hall.

By the time Nikki returned in the afternoon, the light had softened across the courtyard.

Inside Stillwater Court, Elowen sat by the tall window, a regional chronicle open in her hands. She had been reading for some time, absorbed enough that the world beyond the page had faded into the background.

The door opened quietly.

Mira stepped in, carrying a tray, setting it down without a sound. A moment later, Nikki followed, holding a small cloth-wrapped bundle.

She approached carefully, lowering it onto the table.

"Your Grace," Nikki said softly, "my mother asked me to thank you. You've taken care of our family in ways we can't repay. You gave me a place here, and today, when my brother entered the exam, you even prepared such a generous gift for luck. We... we don't have much, but my mother stayed up through the night making this. She asked me to bring it to you."

Elowen murmured a quiet acknowledgment, eyes still on the page.

It wasn't until Scarlet spoke that the mood shifted.

"Nikki, what's wrong?" Scarlet asked gently.

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