Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 568

Chapter 568 What Lies Beneath

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Finished

He let out a quiet breath and, with a maid’s help, pushed himself upright.

Alaric stepped closer, stopping in front of him, eyes fixed and impatient.

Colton took a moment before speaking. “You can relax. The examination issue is already handled. The deputy examiner, Travis, and the clerk, Milo, have both been taken care of. As for the rumors, I’ve arranged for them to spread through taverns and coffeehouses where scholars gather. The story will turn into one about struggling students making things up, and attention will gradually shift toward corruption among minor officials. Give it a little time, and people will move on.”

The plan was clean and thorough, balancing pressure with misdirection.

Alaric let out a long breath, tension finally easing. “Good. That’s exactly what I needed to hear. Grandfather, you always think ahead. With you handling this, I don’t have to worry.”

Colton’s brow tightened slightly at the way he spoke, still carrying that princely distance even here.

But he didn’t call it out.

“I asked you here for three reasons,” he said instead. “First, to let you know everything is under control. Second, Albert and Liam’s names will be struck from the final lists. They won’t pass. You should be aware of that, and you shouldn’t arrange something like this again.”

He paused, his gaze steady.

“And third, I need a straight answer. What exactly is going on between you and the Duke of Duskmoor?”

Alaric waved it off. “What could there be? Just old history.”

Colton didn’t let it slide. His tone grew firmer. “Your Highness, the court has been flooded with accusations lately, all aimed at the Crown Prince’s Wing. Gareth, who usually keeps his head down, has suddenly become aggressive. Piers has openly challenged you. This doesn’t look random. It looks planned. Like someone’s been building a trap piece by piece. And that trap is aimed at your position.”

He held his gaze. “I believe the Duke of Duskmoor is behind it

Colton’s voice lowered slightly. “This isn’t about prying into your affairs. It’s about your safety and the stability of the realm. If we don’t understand where this is coming from, we’ll keep getting caught off guard, just like we did with the exam situation”

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Chapter 568 What Lies Beneath

Alaric frowned, instinctively dismissing it.

But something in his grandfather’s expression made him hesitate.

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“If you really want to trace it back,” he said after a moment, “it probably starts with Elowen.”

“The Duchess of Duskmoor?” Colton turned slightly.

Alaric let out a short laugh. “She’s now been granted the title Lady of Grace and Virtue.”

He walked over and sat down. “Back then, she was completely set on marrying into my household. I kept my distance. She took it personally. At the royal betrothal feast, she turned around and married my uncle instead. Ever since then, she’s made a point of going against me.”

Colton studied him closely. “Is that all? Have you ever done anything to her?”

He already knew Alaric would never dare act directly against Cassian.

So the answer had to lie elsewhere.

Alaric scoffed. “What do you take me for? I’m the heir to the throne. I don’t bully people. We’ve argued, sure, but nothing serious.”

Colton said nothing, just kept looking at him.

Under that steady gaze, Alaric shifted, irritation creeping in. “…Last fall, during the royal hunt, I had one of her horses killed.”

He quickly added, “And I paid for it. I was punished, and I apologized. I even sent her a top- bred horse on her birthday, but she refused it.”

Colton ignored the explanation. “What kind of horse was it?”

“Just something she raised growing up.”

Alaric sounded impatient now. “I didn’t know all the details back then. She kept pushing me, so I gave her a warning. That’s all.”

At that point, Colton understood everything.

Elowen came from a military family. To people like that, horses weren’t expendable. They were as important as steel and supplies.

And that one had been raised by her own hand.

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