Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 622

Chapter 622 Names for the Baby

Finished

A softer set of footsteps followed behind Nikki’s earlier chaos, and a moment later Josh finally stepped into the room several paces behind his sister.

Elowen’s gaze naturally settled on him the moment he entered.

The young man wore a dark wool coat that had clearly been altered and repaired more than once over the years, but the worn fabric did little to diminish the quiet steadiness about him. If anything, the simplicity of his clothes only made the composure in the way he carried himself stand out more clearly.

Elowen smiled warmly.

“You really did well, Josh. I’m proud of you.”

Josh immediately stepped forward before lowering himself into a formal bow, one hand pressed across his chest in proper court etiquette as he spoke with unmistakable sincerity.

“I never would’ve reached this point without Your Grace’s support. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life, and I’ll work even harder from now on to repay the kindness you’ve shown me.”

Elowen’s expression softened further at his earnestness.

“You don’t owe me repayment,” she said gently. “Just become the kind of official who truly looks after the people under his care. That’ll mean more to me than anything else.”

Josh straightened slowly, though his posture remained respectfully lowered.

“I’ll remember Your Grace’s words always.”

Elowen smiled before asking, “Does your mother know yet?”

Josh shook his head with visible embarrassment.

“Not yet. The moment we saw the rankings posted outside the Examination Hall, Nikki dragged me straight here before I could even make it home.”

That earned another laugh from Elowen.

“Then stop standing here talking to me and hurry home already. Your mother deserves to hear the news first. I’ll have the kitchens prepare a proper feast tonight so the entire manor can celebrate together.

Josh still looked slightly overwhelmed by all the praise directed at him, but Nikki had already cheered excitedly before grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the door..

“Come on! We have to go tell Mother!”

Josh nearly stumbled after her from how quickly she yanked him away, though he still remembered to turn back long enough to bow respectfully toward Elowen once more before disappearing outside with his

sister.

Not long afterward, Scarlet entered with a small smile that suggested she had enjoyed watching the

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Chapter 622 Names for the Baby

excitement unfold from nearby.

finished

Whenever something important happened in the capital, Elowen almost always sent Scarlet to gather news personally.

As Elowen carefully lowered herself back into her chair beside the desk, she looked up and asked, “How did the new rankings turn out overall?”

Scarlet stepped closer before answering respectfully.

“Josh placed first. Master Kaelan, Lady Aveline’s son, ranked second, and third place went to the son of a county magistrate from a respected scholarly family. I remained near the square outside the Examination Hall for some time listening to the crowds afterward. Naturally there were still scholars disappointed by the outcome, but most people seemed convinced the judging was finally fair this time.”

Elowen nodded lightly.

“That’s good.”

Scarlet continued, “People throughout the capital are also discussing Prince Alaric’s investigation. From what I heard, most believe his crimes deserve severe punishment, and very few think the king should show him mercy.”

A faintly satisfied smile appeared on Elowen’s face.

“The people most invested in court affairs are usually scholars and educated men,” she said. “Alaric manipulated the court qualification trials and practically turned every ambitious scholar in Avenlor against him overnight. Of course they’re furious.”

And truthfully, that was exactly the outcome she had hoped for all along.

Back when Nordia and Avenlor had still been negotiating peace, Alaric assassinated Roderic and attempted to pin the blame on Cassian instead.

Worse still, he secretly manipulated public opinion so effectively that voices throughout both the capital and the royal court demanded harsh punishment for Cassian day after day. During the worst of it, Duskmoor Manor had even temporarily hidden behind the Hale family name to avoid attracting further hostility.

And now that same tide had finally turned against Alaric himself.

The ruin he once prepared for others had circled back onto his own head.

The day Alaric was officially imprisoned inside the Iron Bastille, the weather over Vanelle was so bright and beautiful that it almost felt ironic.

That morning, after breakfast, Elowen sat near the windows of Stillwater Court with one hand resting absently against the curve of her stomach while she debated whether she ought to go personally witness Alaric’s humiliation for herself. Unfortunately, her pregnancy had become so physically exhausting by now that even leaving the manor for a short outing no longer felt simple.

Before she could make up her mind, another burst of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

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Chapter 622 Names for the Baby

Finished

Lirien and Nikki rushed into the room together, both girls flushed pink with excitement before they had even spoken.

Simply seeing them in such high spirits immediately lifted Elowen’s mood.

“What happened?” she asked with a smile.

Cassian, meanwhile, did not even bother lifting his gaze from the papers in front of him before dryly asking, “So which courtyard did the two of you nearly destroy this time?”

Lirien’s eyes widened instantly.

“Nothing! We didn’t destroy anything!” she protested so quickly that the words nearly tangled together. “We’ve been behaving ourselves lately!”

Nikki nodded emphatically beside her.

“We already got punished after the last time! We’ve been staying inside reading and practicing our writing every day!”

That finally made Elowen laugh.

She beckoned the girls closer before asking gently, “Then what brought the two of you here today?”

Lirien’s cheeks immediately turned a deeper shade of pink.

After hesitating awkwardly for a moment, she finally gathered enough courage to speak.

“Ella… before this, you said I was good at coming up with names, and you promised I could help choose a nickname for the baby.”

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