Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 590

Chapter 590 Lines Drawn in Court

Archer’s mouth went dry.

For a moment, he genuinely looked like he had no idea what to say.

Elowen, who had been standing quietly beside Cassian, finally stepped forward.

She inclined her head slightly toward Quentin and Archer, her voice calm and warm. “What the two of you said isn’t unreasonable. Court affairs aren’t where I usually belong.”

She paused, letting that settle before continuing, “But this case involves my husband. Recently, he’s been confined to the estate, removed from his usual authority. Everything outside those walls has been handled by me. The relationships, the exchanges, the details tied to this matter. If he stood here alone, there’s a real chance something would be missed, and that would be a disservice to His Majesty.”

Her gaze lifted, steady and clear as it moved across the hall.

“I’m here for him. And I’m here for the truth. If my presence causes offense, I ask your understanding. The only thing that matters is that this is handled properly.”

Her words struck the perfect balance, calm, measured, and impossible to fault.

She gave Quentin and Archer a graceful way to step back while making her own purpose unmistakably clear.

The two of them worked in perfect sync. One pressed hard, the other smoothed it over. Together, they controlled the room without breaking a sweat.

From the throne, Theodric spoke, “She stays.”

He gestured lightly. “Bring her a seat.”

Quin moved quickly, returning with a cushioned chair placed just below the dais.

Cassian helped Elowen sit.

drew quiet atte, ase, one hand resting lightly against her abdomen, composed in a way that

She settled with

rather than pity.

Not far off, Alaric’s gaze drifted toward her again.

He couldn’t stop it. She hadn’t changed. And yet everything had

She stood beside another man now. Spoke for him. Came here because of him

That should have been me.

The thought burned.

Cassian was about to continue when a court attendant hurried in.

“Your Majesty, Colton requests an audience.”

Elowen and Cassian exchanged a brief glance.

Right on time.

Things had spiraled too far. The Crown Prince had been called out in open court, and with the Baker family standing as his strongest backing, there was no way they were going to sit this out.

Of course they would step in and take control of the room.

Up on the throne, Theodric pressed his fingers to his temple, the strain showing through for a brief moment.

Holding the crown was no easy burden.

Theodric rubbed his temple once before lowering his hand. “Let him in.”

The hall shifted again as Colton entered.

He came alone.

No attendants. No support.

Just a bent frame and steady steps that carried him forward through the center of the room.

He stopped below the throne and bowed.

Theodric’s tone softened. “No need for that. Sit.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Another chair was placed.

This one directly across from Elowen.

Colton lowered himself into it, then looked at her and Cassian with a faint, knowing smile.

“Well Your Grace.

Cassian gave a slight nod.

Elowen smiled politely. “It’s been a while, my lord.”

He studied her for a moment. “The last time I saw you, you were still a child at Hale Manor. Always at your father’s side, always smiling. You used to talk about the Crown Prince often. How well he treated you. Time moves quickly.”

His eyes lingered.

“That girl is gone. Now you sit here as a duchess.”

Elowen’s expression didn’t change.

Sounds like he’s reminiscing, but the second he opens his mouth, he’s already setting the hierarchy.

You’re the younger one, just a girl. I’m the Queen’s father, your elder. Watch your place when you speak to

1. me.

And now he’s dragging up Elowen and Alaric’s past too.

What a sly man.

Then again… it’s not like I’m any less of one.

She answered without missing a beat.

“My lord has a remarkable memory. I must have been very young, because I don’t recall meeting you at all. But my father spoke of you often. He respected the years you spent in service.”

Her tone stayed gentle, but the words shifted.

“He’s been gone a long time now. You’ve stepped away from court as well. Life moves on for all of us.”

A brief pause.

Then, softly, almost reflective.

“I suppose I do envy His Highness. When trouble finds him, he still has family to stand in front of him. As for me… even if my father were here, I imagine he’d be the first to tell me I’d stepped out of line

The response landed clean.

Polite on the surface

hapter 390 Lines Drawn in Cour

But there was no mistaking the edge beneath it.

9.9K