Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 570

Chapter 570 The Cost of Carelessness

Colton’s voice only grew sharper.

71

Finished

“You’ve done the exact opposite of what you should have,” he said, frustration unmistakable. “Instead of securing her loyalty, you’ve pushed her toward the edge. If you treat her like she’s nothing, sooner or later she’ll believe it, and once that happens, it won’t take much for someone else to win her over.”

His eyes locked firmly onto Alaric.

“Think about what she knows. She’s been serving at your side. She understands your habits, your temper, what pleases you and what doesn’t. She’s familiar with the inner workings of the Crown Prince’s Wing, who answers to whom, how things move behind the scenes.”

He didn’t pause.

“And more importantly, she knows your past schemes. If she carries all of that to one of your rivals, then this won’t just be the loss of a servant. It will be a disaster you won’t recover from.”

Every word struck its mark.

Alaric felt as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over him.

How did I miss something this obvious?

The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he became.

He shot to his feet so abruptly the chair scraped harshly against the floor. “You’re right. I overlooked this. I need to return immediately.”

He turned to leave, then stopped short and looked back.

“Grandfather, the matter with the Nordian envoy, framing my uncle… is there anything else I should arrange? Do I need to do more to make sure nothing traces back to me?”

Colton shook his head slowly. “That part was handled cleanly. As long as everyone involved keeps silent and every trace has been properly cleared, it won’t be easily uncovered, at least not by ordinary means.”

Then his tone shifted, firm and deliberate.

“What matters most right now is stabilizing the people around you. Especially tris.”

He spoke with measured emphasis. “You need to calm her, win her back, and keep her willing to serve you. That matters more than anything else.”

174

17:24 Fri, May 22 N

Chapter 570 The Cost of Carelessness

。71

Finished

A brief pause, then he added, “She’s sharp. If she truly stands with you, then even if small cracks appear in that earlier matter, she might be able to maneuver around them, find a way to defuse the situation.”

His gaze held steady.

“Sometimes, people matter more than evidence.”

Alaric nodded repeatedly, gave a quick bow, and hurried out without another word.

The carriage raced through the streets toward the Crown Prince’s Wing, the sound of hooves striking stone echoing sharply in the air.

The moment it passed through the gates, Alaric pushed the door open before it had even fully stopped. He jumped down, stumbled for half a step, then steadied himself and strode forward.

Grabbing Tristan by the arm, he demanded, “Where is Iris? Where is she now?”

Tristan was startled, immediately lowering his head. “Your Highness, Iris is still resting in the side room where she stays. She hasn’t—”

“Take me there. Now.”

The side chamber was narrow and poorly lit. A single iron sconce burned against the wall, its weak flame casting uneven shadows across the room.

The furnishings were bare and worn, and the air carried a damp, stale smell.

Iris lay on a hard bed, a thin, threadbare blanket pulled over her. Her face was pale to the point

gray,

but her forehead was flushed with an unnatural heat.

of

Her lips were dry and cracked, moving faintly. “Water…”

A servant girl sitting nearby glanced over, her expression indifferent.

“She’s been muttering all day,” she said with a dismissive click of her tongue.

Then she raised her voice, making sure it carried.

“Still thinking about water? You really don’t understand your place, do you?”

She leaned back slightly, a hint of mockery in her tone. “You’ve been punished. That’s what you are now, a disgraced servant. You were already half–dead after that, and His Highness didn’t even bother calling for a physician. No medicine either”

She let out a short, dry laugh. “Isn’t that obvious enough? You’ve been cast aside. He’s done with

17:24 Fri, May 22 N

Chapter 570 The Cost of Carelessness

you.”

Her eyes flicked toward the bed, full of disdain.

:

71

Finished

“You’re lucky you’re even allowed to lie here. That’s more mercy than most would get. So stop making noise and lie still. Don’t make things worse for yourself.”

Iris slowly closed her eyes.

A heavy, numbing cold spread through her chest.

Sometimes, she believed she was clever. Able to read people, to see through situations, to plan ahead.

But then there are moments like this… when I start to think I might be the biggest fool of all.

When Daphne fell from favor, why had she tried so hard to remain in the Crown Prince’s Wing?

Compared to Daphne, the crown prince was colder, harsher, impossible to rely on.

Caelan had once approached her quietly.

Three days, he had said. Leave a single blossom outside Elira’s residence, and I’ll understand

your answer.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify