Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157 Gate of Shame

Alaric tried to argue, “I didn’t…”

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Cassian sighed, cutting him off, “You called me a gossip, fine, I’ll take that one. In a few days I’m riding out on a long trip, and I might not come back alive. Can you forgive me?”

Alaric’s face went red, then white. “Uncle, I…”

“Own up and apologize!” Theodric barked.

Alaric did not dare hesitate. He dropped hard to both knees in front of Cassian.

Cassian turned to Theodric and spoke like he was trying to smooth the whole mess over, “Alaric is the Crown Prince, so don’t come down too heavy on him. Today he only made my wife’s wrist slip out of joint, and afterward he refused to admit it. If he’s taught properly, he’ll learn. Before this, whenever he saw my wife, he always called her by her name. Today he even knew to address her as his aunt. It was just that what he said was a little odd, telling her not to regret marrying me, and calling me a gossip.”

The last part landed with a sting.

Sweat broke out on Alaric’s back. He wanted to throw himself forward and clap a hand over Cassian’s mouth. Please, just stop talking.

Theodric’s frown tightened, tighter, tighter.

Finally, Theodric’s face went flat and cold. “You, get out there and stay on your knees.”

Alaric jerked his head up. “Father… what does that mean?”

Theodric’s tone was heavy and final. “Go outside to the Royal Meridian Gate. Stay there for two full hours. No one is allowed to speak for you. Without my order, you do not get up.”

Alaric looked stunned.

The Royal Meridian Gate sat at the very center of the palace grounds, the passage linking the outer court and the inner residences. Servants and officials passed through it all day, countless people.

To be kept on his knees there for two hours, his legs would be ruined, and his dignity as Crown Prince would be ground into the stone in front of everyone.

“Did you not hear me, or did you not understand me?” Theodric said, looking down at him.

Alaric lowered his head, fear prickling along his scalp.

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Chapter 157 Gate of Shame

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He did not dare defy Theodric. He clenched his jaw, forced himself up, and walked out.

Outside the Royal Meridian Gate, Alaric drew in a deep breath, swept his coat aside, and dropped to his knees.

People came and went beside him. He could feel their looks landing on him. It felt like pins in his back, sharp and humiliating.

He did not dare blame Theodric. He did not dare blame Cassian either.

Elowen… this is all Elowen’s fault. Why is she so fragile that one pull sends her stumbling? And fine, she falls, but how does her wrist just pop out like that?Now I’m the one dealing with the fallout. Good thing I never married her, or I’d be stuck with this kind of bad luck for the rest of my life.

Elowen was still shocked that Theodric had punished Alaric so harshly.

“Elowen, today was that boy’s fault,” Theodric said, earnest and direct. “You were wronged. I will find a way to make it up to you.”

“You’re too kind,” Elowen said, trying to refuse.

Theodric insisted, “It is not some priceless treasure.”

Not priceless? Elowen did not believe him.

A moment later, Elowen stared at the set of gilded gemstone regalia the attendants presented with both hands, and she nearly lost her composure.

This was clearly even more valuable than the ivory scepter from last time.

Cassian lifted a brow. “That set belonged to Isolde, didn’t it?”

Theodric nodded. “I knew you would remember”

Cassian’s mouth tilted slightly.

Back when they were still princes, their mothers had only been consorts, and the empress in the central palace had been Isolde. Under Isolde’s roof, the two brothers had swallowed plenty of grievance.

After Theodric took the throne and Isolde passed away, the set was stored away in the palace

treasury.

Elowen heard that and immediately waved her hands, stumbling over her words, “This, this, this is too precious, I can’t accept it…”

“How can you not,” Theodric said. “I already had them bring it out.”

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Chapter 157 Gate of Shame

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Elowen thought for a moment. “If you truly want to compensate me, could you grant me one request instead?”

“Oh Theodric asked. “What request?”

Elowen told him plainly.

After he heard it. Theodric laughed out loud. “That is a good thing. I will grant it.”

Elowen’s eyes curved with relief. “Thank you.”

Theodric lifted his chin. “And you will take the regalia set as well.”

Elowen could not smile anymore.

Cassian chuckled softly. “Give it to me, I’ll hold on to it. Don’t take offense, she’s a little shy.”

Elowen’s heart jumped. Theodric laughed warmly beside them. “Fine.”

Elowen dropped her head, mortified.

On the way back, Cassian looked completely at ease as he asked, “You don’t like gilded gemstone regalia?”

Elowen shook her head. “It is not that I don’t like it…”

The set was stunning, every piece exquisite. But it was not like the ivory scepter.

That ivory scepter, if Elowen ever separated from Cassian, she could sell it and turn it into

coin.

This set was too precious, and it had once belonged to Isolde. Even if she dared to sell it, no one would dare to buy it.

Then it would just sit in her hands forever.

Elowen weighed her words, then tried again. “With my station, wearing this doesn’t feel right.”

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