Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 607

Chapter 607 The Fall of a Prince

“The title of Crown Prince has been revoked,” he said slowly, his voice low and sharp enough to cut through the room like steel. “From this day forward, Alaric is no longer heir to the throne. His Majesty has reduced him to the rank of Second Prince.”

The words struck the room with the force of a cathedral bell tolling before disaster.

Several men froze outright, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Jayce reacted first, though his voice came out strained and uneven. “How could this happen? Father, I thought everything had already been settled.”

Ayden, meanwhile, looked as though the blood had drained straight from his body. “Father, then what about the Bakers? Is the family going to be dragged into this too?”

A cold laugh escaped Colton.

“The investigation into Roderic’s death has nothing to do with our house, so we can still keep our distance from that matter.” His expression darkened further as he continued. “But His Majesty also ordered a complete investigation into the corruption surrounding the court qualification trials.”

The room fell silent again.

Colton’s gaze shifted toward Jayce and Ayden, and the chill in his eyes made both men stiffen immediately.

“And that case,” he said flatly, “involves the two of you, along with your sons.”

The color vanished from their faces in an instant.

After a long pause, Colton finally continued in a weary voice. “At this point, there’s only one way left to protect the rest of the family. The boys will have to be handed over before this reaches any deeper into the household.”

Jayce nearly lost his footing.

“Father!” He stumbled forward so quickly that he almost collapsed before Colton’s chair. lowering himself desperately at the older man’s feet while clutching tightly to the fabric of his robe. “Liam is your grandson. He’s only twenty years old. His future’s barely even started. You can’t just cast him aside now.”

Ayden hurried forward as well, panic rising visibly across his face. “Father, please think this through carefully. Our family doesn’t have many heirs with real promise to begin with, and Albert and Liam were the only two who made it this far through the examinations. They were

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Chapter 607 The Fall of a Prince

supposed to restore honor to the Baker name. Yes, they made mistakes, but everything they did was for this family. They wanted to bring distinction to our house and make you proud. Father, you have to save them.”

The others quickly joined in, speaking over one another in growing desperation.

“That’s right, Father. If anyone in this kingdom can fix this, it’s you.”

“You’ve handled worse situations before.”

“You can’t abandon them now.”

Colton stared at the chaos unfolding in front of him, and suddenly an angry laugh broke from

his chest.

“Save them?” His voice rose sharply. “Do you really think I haven’t already tried?”

He pointed furiously toward the doors of the chamber, where anxious servants lingered outside beneath the flickering iron sconces.

“This family is drowning in disaster from every direction. One problem after another needs cleaning up, and now there’s an idiotic grandson outside causing even more trouble that somehow I’m expected to solve too.” His breathing grew rough with anger. “What exactly do you all think I am? Some holy prophet blessed by the heavens? Do you think I can simply walk into court and make His Majesty forget what happened?”

The room went deathly still.

Colton let out another bitter laugh, though this one sounded far more tired than angry.

“Even a miracle worker couldn’t pull this family out of the fire now, much less an old man who’s already halfway to the grave.”

Jayce and Ayden were left speechless.

After a moment, Colton steadied himself against the table and forced himself to continue.

“The investigation was announced openly before the entire royal court, and the judgment came directly from His Majesty himself. No one can reverse it.” His eyes swept across every son standing before him. “Anyone foolish enough to plead for mercy now will only die alongside them. If any of you think you’re capable of saving those boys, then by all means, go try.”

He paused briefly before adding in a colder voice, “And don’t think sacrificing the boys. guarantees the rest of you will survive. Once investigators start pulling apart the case, neither of you may escape blame either. At that point, all I’ll be able to do is see whether my years serving the crown still carry enough value for His Majesty to spare the rest of the family from

execution.”

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The chamber instantly erupted into panic.

Execution.

Not merely punishment for one or two men, but the destruction of the entire bloodline.

Fear spread across the room almost immediately.

“This never would’ve happened if those boys had accepted their limits instead of cheating their way through the examinations.”

“Everyone knows His Majesty values the court trials above nearly everything else. They practically walked straight into disaster.”

“And now the whole family’s paying for it.”

Colton slowly looked around the chamber, his gaze lingering on each of his sons one by one.

One man had rushed over so quickly that his belt still hung loose beneath his outer coat. Another carried the heavy scent of perfume and wine, with traces of lipstick still visible near his collar.

Not one of them looked worried about him.

Not one of them possessed enough composure to make a decision or shoulder responsibility.

Every single one of them looked terrified, blaming one another while waiting for someone else to rescue them from the consequences of their own actions.

The colder Colton’s heart grew, the more exhausted he felt.

Back when he was fifteen, he had already risen above countless scholars through sheer talent. By twenty, he had entered royal service. By thirty, he had climbed into the upper ranks of court, and by forty, he had become one of the most influential officials in the realm.

So how had he ended up raising such useless sons?

Every one of them knew how to indulge themselves in feasts, gambling halls, and women, but the moment trouble arrived, they collapsed into panic like frightened children without a shred of courage or judgment between them.

The more Colton thought about it, the more violently his anger surged.

Finally, he slammed his hand against the table with all the strength he had left.

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Chapter 607 The Fall of a Proce

“That’s enough. Get out. Every last one of you, get out of my sight

The men scrambled toward the doors as though fleeing a battlefield, stumbling over one another in their rush to escape.

Within moments, the chamber was left in complete disarray.

Colton watched their retreating figures disappear down the corridor, and suddenly a sharp pain twisted through his chest before a violent fit of coughing overtook him.

“Grandfather!”

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