Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 548

Elowen listened quietly, her expression calm and composed.

"There's no need to worry," she said gently. "Some things are better left to unfold naturally. If the envoy favors the Crown Prince and wants to support him, that's not a bad thing. As heir, he should be taking on more responsibility for His Majesty."

Flowira understood immediately.

No interference. No resistance. Let it happen.

The higher he rises, the harder he falls.

Soon, the day of the court qualification results arrived.

Elowen's pregnancy had progressed enough that going out was no longer practical, so she sent Mira, Nikki, and Scarlet to see the results in her place.

Before long, the three of them returned together.

Mira rushed in first, cheeks flushed from the cold air and the crowd, her voice full of excitement.

"Your Grace, the city was packed today. Outside the Imperial Examination Hall, it was shoulder to shoulder. I could barely get close enough to see the results board."

She accepted a cup of warm water from Rosaline, took several quick sips, then continued, "Some people were celebrating, others were crying. I even saw an old man with completely white hair pushing through the crowd just to get a look. I don't even know if he made it."

Nikki came in a moment later, head lowered, her eyes red.

Elowen noticed immediately.

Mira lowered her voice. "Josh didn't pass. His name wasn't on the list."

Elowen wasn't surprised.

She simply asked, "Who placed at the top this year?"

Mira thought for a moment. "Albert, Liam, and Kaelan."

Elowen paused, almost letting out a laugh.

Alaric really wasn't even trying to make it look fair anymore.

Mira misread her reaction and quickly added, "It's alright, Your Grace. Even if the Baker family did well, it doesn't affect Hale Manor."

Nikki sniffed and forced a small smile. "My brother said it's fine. If not this year, then next year."

Elowen offered her a few gentle words, then turned to Scarlet.

"What about you? Did you hear anything interesting?"

Scarlet gave a respectful bow. "I can't read, so I didn't understand the list itself, but I did hear people talking."

Elowen leaned back slightly. "Tell me."

Scarlet organized her thoughts carefully.

"First, among the top ten, only two came from modest backgrounds. The rest were all from established families. Even the top three. Many candidates were saying privately that the results didn't seem entirely fair."

She continued, "Second, word is that the Crown Prince's Wing plans to host a gathering for the top ten candidates."

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