Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 572

“Hale Manor?”

Alaric’s expression shifted at once, suspicion flickering across his face.

“What for?”

Iris kept her head slightly lowered, her tone calm and measured.

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“Please allow me to explain, Your Highness. This ointment was sent to me by Lady of Grace and Virtue, through Tristan.”

Alaric froze for a brief moment, then his face darkened sharply.

“That fool dared to keep something like this from me?”

“Please don’t be angry, Your Highness,” Iris said gently. “He meant well. You already have more than enough to deal with, and Hale Manor has been watching your household closely. He didn’t want to trouble you further.”

Alaric let out a quiet scoff. Some of the anger faded, but his gaze remained sharp, probing.

“And you? Why go now? To thank her?”

Iris lowered herself further, her voice steady.

“You see clearly, Your Highness. I belong to you. In this life, I will serve no one else. When I made mistakes before, your punishment was justified. Yet when I fell gravely ill, you still sent for the finest physician. I have no way to repay that.”

She paused briefly, then continued, “This ointment may be a gift, but I believe it also carries intent. Lady of Grace and Virtue may be trying to draw me to her side.”

Alaric’s expression tightened.

Just as his grandfather had warned him.

There would always be people trying to pull useful pieces away from him.

Fortunately, he had acted in time.

Iris went on, her voice even.

“My purpose in going to Hale Manor today is to return this ointment and make my position clear in person. I will tell her that I owe everything to you and would never turn against my

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Chapter 572 A Calculated Loyalty

master for personal gain. That should put an end to any misunderstanding.”

The tension around Alaric lifted completely. A satisfied smile spread across his face.

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“Good. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” His tone warmed. “You have my permission. I’ll have a carriage prepared and send you there at once.”

Half an hour later, Iris arrived at Hale Manor.

She was led into the study.

Elowen sat behind her desk, composed and silent, her presence steady and unreadable.

Iris stepped forward and lowered herself fully, bowing so deeply her forehead nearly touched the floor, her posture one of complete submission.

“Thanks Your Grace for the ointment you sent. I’ve come today to place my future entirely in your hands. From this moment on, I will serve at your command, with no divided loyalty.”

Elowen did not respond right away.

Iris remained where she was, motionless.

She had expected this.

Without lifting her head, she continued, “I understand Your Grace has doubts. That is only natural. I serve in the Crown Prince’s household, and appearing here like this, offering my loyalty, would make anyone question my intentions. I don’t expect immediate trust. I only ask that you hear me out. If, after that, you still believe I am of no use, I will leave at once without complaint.”

A brief silence passed.

Then Elowen spoke, “Go on.”

Iris paused slightly before lifting her head. She did not meet Elowen’s gaze, letting her eyes rest instead on the gilded edge of the desk.

She drew a slow breath and began.

“I was born into poverty and entered service in the Garrett household as a child. From the very beginning, I understood that my life was never mine to control. Everything depended on the will of those above me.

“When Miss Garrett was promised to His Highness, I was given two choices. I could go with her. or I could be placed into her brother’s household as a concubine. You know what kind of man he is, Your Grace. I refused that path.

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Chapter 572 A Calculated Loyalty

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“I begged the mistress to let me follow Miss Garrett into the Crown Prince’s Wing.

“I understood that if she secured her place, I would have somewhere to stand. So I advised her and helped her navigate the conflicts within the royal household.”

She let out a quiet breath.

“But she was stubborn. She ignored my counsel and acted on impulse. One mistake led to another, until she angered His Majesty and was cast into the Secluded Wing.

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