Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 594

Chapter 594 A Delayed Judgment

Colton turned his gaze toward Alaric, his expression sharpening.

“Your Highness, do not think of asking Dominic to shield you. He serves the Crown, not you.

Alaric’s voice broke as he shouted, “I never asked him to protect me! If I had, why would he say any of this?”

Colton looked at him, and though it was fleeting, disappointment passed through his eyes.

He still doesn’t understand.

He took a measured breath. “That may be your claim. But we should examine the statement itself.”

He turned toward the throne and inclined his head. “Your Majesty, if I may, I would like to review the testimony.”

Theodric gave a slight nod. “Proceed.”

A palace attendant stepped forward and presented the document.

Colton accepted it and read through it carefully, line by line, without rushing.

When he looked up again, his gaze settled on Alaric.

“Your Highness, you say you did not ask Dominic to shield you, yet Iris from the Crown Prince’s Wing paid him a visit.”

Alaric froze.

He had focused only on the latter part of the testimony earlier and had not even noticed the earlier record.

He had indeed sent Iris to silence Dominic.

A chill spread across his back.

Colton continued, reading aloud.

“His Highness reminds you to respect the authority and laws of the Crown, to speak truthfully. and not to make reckless accusations out of panic or resentment

Alaric blinked, momentarily stunned. That was not how he remembered it.

Chapter 594 A Delayed Judgment

Of course Iris would phrase it that way. She always knew how to turn a situation in his favor.

Colton’s expression eased slightly.

“It appears Your Highness did not instruct him to lie.”

Alaric exhaled sharply and nodded. “Exactly. That’s what I meant. I never told him to protect

me.”

Colton did not respond to him further. He closed the document and returned it to the attendant.

Then he turned back toward the throne.

“Your Majesty, it is true that His Highness has made a grave mistake. He grew wary of the duke’s influence and, in a moment of poor judgment, acted rashly. His actions led to the death of the Nordian prince and caused the Duke of Duskmoor to be wrongly accused.”

He paused before continuing, “Fortunately, Nordia has not withdrawn from negotiations. A new envoy has already arrived, and discussions are still ongoing. This is a blessing for the realm and for Your Majesty.”

With visible effort, he lowered himself into a deep formal bow.

“I humbly request that the Duke of Duskmoor’s honor and standing be fully restored. He has been wronged, and now that the truth is known, justice must be done.”

A brief pause followed.

“I also ask that His Highness be disciplined. A mistake of this magnitude cannot go unpunished.”

Alaric’s face shifted from red to pale, then to a sickly gray.

His thoughts spiraled.

Grandfather… what are you doing?Even you are not standing with me now..

Despair settled heavily in his chest.

Theodric sat upon the throne, his expression unreadable, his gaze deep and steady.

“Rise,” he said.

Colton remained where he was.

After a brief silence, Theodric spoke again. “I will consider your words.”

Chapter 594 A Delayed Judgment

Only then did Colton lift his head, though he still did not stand.

“Your Majesty, there is one more matter I must raise.”

Theodric gestured slightly. “Speak.”

Colton took a slow breath.

“The negotiations with Nordia are at a critical stage. This concerns the border, the safety of our people, and the stability of both realms. The new envoy, by all accounts, holds Your Highness in high regard.”

He continued carefully.

“If punishment is carried out now, it may disrupt the negotiations and create uncertainty on their side.”

A measured pause.

“I humbly suggest that any decision regarding punishment be postponed until after the negotiations are concluded. At that time, whether Your Highness is demoted, removed, exiled, or confined, Your Majesty may decide without constraint.”

His voice remained steady.

“But for now, the greater priority should be the success of the negotiations.”

Elowen watched him, her expression unchanged, but something shifted quietly in her thoughts.

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