Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 595

Chapter 595 A Court Turned Against Itself

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Seeing the shift in the atmosphere, Archer stepped forward at once, trying to smooth things over before things spiraled further.

“Your Grace,” he said with a measured tone, “you are, after all, His Highness’s own uncle. Surely something like this does not need to be taken so far. And given that you are also His Majesty’s brother, you understand better than anyone the weight he carries. It would be a kindness not to place him in an even more difficult position over… a matter like this.”

The implication was unmistakable.

Even if the crown prince had done wrong, the duke should swallow it.

Let it pass.Endure it.

Piers stood among the officials of the Ministry of Crown Justice, watching with quiet interest, clearly expecting Elowen to answer.

But before she could speak, Gareth stepped forward.

“My lords,” he said evenly, “you’ve managed to turn the truth inside out.”

His voice was calm, but every word landed clean.

“The one who acted wrongly is the crown prince. The attempt on the Nordian envoy and the scheme to frame the Duke of Duskmoor are established facts. Dominic’s confession is already in hand, and the rest of the evidence will be presented shortly.”

He let the words settle before continuing.

“And yet, listening to the two of you, one would think the fault lies with the duke instead.”

His gaze shifted to Quentin.

Quentin instinctively shifted back half a step.

It made no difference.

“You spoke of the duke’s reputation in the army,” Gareth went on. “That part is true. He is respected. But do you understand why?”

His tone sharpened slightly.

“He earns it. He leads from the front. Every victory he’s claimed has come at real cost. He has held the borders together with his own strength.”

A Court Turned Against itself

A brief pause.

“And somehow, in your telling, that becomes a problem? Would you prefer he failed instead?”

Quentin’s face went pale.

Gareth did not press him further. He turned to Archer.

“And you,” he continued, voice steady, “reduced an attempt on a Nordian royal to a trivial matter.”

He gave a small shake of his head.

“We are fortunate this discussion is contained within these walls. If such words reached the Nordian delegation, how do you imagine they would respond?”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“They would hear that we consider an attack on their bloodline insignificant. Do you intend to continue peace talks under that impression, or would you rather see the kingdom dragged back into war?”

Archer felt the pressure immediately, a thin sheen of sweat forming at his temple.

Gareth did not slow.

“You also said His Grace should spare His Majesty the burden of this matter. On that point, I agree. But let me ask you this.”

He glanced toward the throne.

“Do you believe His Majesty would willingly see his own brother wronged?”

A beat passed.

“The facts are here. The evidence will be placed before the throne. The judgment belongs to His Majesty alone.”

His voice turned colder.

“And yet, from what I’ve just heard, it sounds as though the two of you have already decided how this should end.”

His gaze hardened.

“Or have you taken it upon yourselves to rule in his place?”

Chapter 595 A Court Turned Against Itself

Silence fell instantly.

Quentin and Archer both looked stricken, their mouths opening slightly, but no words came.

At last, Theodric spoke, “That is enough.”

His tone was not loud, but it carried absolute authority.

“We will wait for the evidence.”

The hall went still.

Moments later, footsteps echoed beyond the great doors.

Quin entered first, followed by Bran, who carried two heavy wooden chests, one in each hand.

Every eye in the chamber shifted toward them. Those chests held the truth.

Bran stepped forward and lowered himself into a deep formal bow. “Your Majesty.”

Theodric inclined his head. “Rise.”

Bran straightened and stood with hands at his sides.

“What you have brought,” the emperor said, “are the materials gathered by the Duke of Duskmoor and his duchess?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Bran replied. “They spent months gathering these in secret.”

Theodric looked toward Cassian and Elowen.

“Then present them.”

His gaze moved briefly toward Colton. “Colton, you may take your seat.”

Colton acknowledged and was assisted back to his chair. Cassian helped Elowen to her feet, and together they stepped forward.

Cassian opened the first chest. Inside, stacks of documents were arranged with careful precision.

Elowen picked up the top sheet and turned so the court could see.

“This is a debt record from the Gilded Vault,” she said clearly. “It shows that Dominic lost three thousand silver marks in a single night of gambling. His signature is here, along with that of the house steward.”

Chapter 595 A Court Turned Against Itself

She passed it to Quin, who delivered it to the throne.

Theodric examined it, his expression darkening. Elowen lifted another document.

“This is the repayment record for that same debt. It confirms the full amount was settled. The name signed here is Bennett, steward of the Baker Estate.”

She said no more. She didn’t need to. Everyone understood the implication.

Then she continued.

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