Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 597

Chapter 597 Cracks in the Plan

Alaric let out a silent, cold laugh.

Fortunately, she didn’t know that the matter of the examinations had already been thoroughly handled by him and his grandfather.

Once the papers were brought forward, nothing would be found.

His father would only see this for what it was, Elowen stirring trouble where there was none.

He remained lowered to the floor, perfectly still, waiting for this entire farce to come to an end.

After that, he would personally take charge of negotiations, earn merit, and naturally, his father’s anger would fade.

And when that time came…

He would make every single person involved pay for today.

The only one unsettled was Colton. His gaze lingered on Elowen, layered with caution and something harder to name.

How much does she actually know?

First, she reopened the case of the Nordian prince’s assassination and shifted the blame onto the Crown Prince.

Then she brought up the examination scandal without pause.

This can’t be coincidence. She planned this.

A deep unease settled in his chest.

But here, in the royal court, there was nothing he could do for the moment. He could only wait and respond as things unfolded.

Time stretched.

At last, footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

Minister Harvey entered first, accompanied by two officials from the Ministry of Rites, each carrying stacks of examination scripts.

Moments later, Quin returned with Milo.

Chapter 597 Cracks in the Plan

Milo was an unremarkable man at first glance. Plain features, humble background.

In a gathering like this, someone of his rank had no place here. His presence alone set him apart from everyone else.

And yet, dressed in a clean official robe, his back straight and his gaze steady, he walked forward step by step with quiet resolve.

There was something unshakable about him.

He stopped below the raised dais and lowered himself into a deep formal bow.

“Milo greets Your Majesty.”

Theodric’s gaze rested on him briefly.

“I’ve been told you refused multiple inquiries from the Ministry of Rites.”

Milo lifted his head, meeting the emperor’s gaze without flinching.

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

A faint ripple moved through the court.

The emperor continued, “Why?”

Milo answered clearly, each word measured.

“Because I was afraid.”

Theodric leaned forward slightly. “Afraid of what?”

Milo remained lowered, but his spine stayed straight.

“Your Majesty, I hold a minor post in the Ministry of Rites. My duty is to transcribe

examination scripts. This is my fourth year in that role. In this year’s court qualification trials, 1 was assigned to copy the papers of Albert and Liam.”

He paused briefly.

“By coincidence, I handled their scripts last year as well.”

A murmur stirred faintly in the hall.

“When I copied their work this time, something felt off. I remembered their handwriting from last year. The scripts I saw this time were neat, but completely different”

Chapter 597 Cracks in the Plan

He took a breath.

“I couldn’t understand how someone’s hand could change so drastically in such a short time. I had doubts, so I brought the matter to Deputy Examiner Travis. Lord Travis told me the Baker family had hired renowned tutors and pushed the two young masters to practice diligently. He said the improvement was natural, even commendable, and told me not to overthink it.”

Milo’s voice remained steady.

“I still had doubts, but I said nothing further. I am only a clerk. My words carry no weight. So I buried my concerns and completed my duties as required. Every script copied, every record sealed, all according to protocol.”

His tone lowered slightly.

“But after the examinations ended, someone came to my

The hall fell completely silent.

home.”

At those words, Alaric’s head snapped up. He stared at Milo in shock.

Wasn’t everything already handled?

He instinctively glanced toward Colton.

The man’s expression remained calm, unreadable as ever.

Milo continued, “It was the steward of Baker Estate. He said his name was Bennett. He brought a large sum of silver and told me it was meant to support my elderly mother. He said that as long as I kept silent if anyone asked questions later, the money would be mine. And that each year afterward, more would be sent.”

Low murmurs spread through the court.

Milo raised his head again.

“Your Majesty, my mother taught me from a young age to live with integrity. She said our family has worked the land for generations, and it was only through great effort that I was able to study and enter official service. She never asked for wealth or rank. Only that I remain true to my conscience and worthy of the salary granted by the Crown.”

A brief pause.

“When she learned of this, she told me that if I accepted that money, she would rather end her own life than live to see it.”

Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess