Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 563

Isla's expression turned icy. "You say you've been thinking of me? Let me see. The last time you came to pay your respects was the fifteenth of last month. It's been twenty-seven days since I last saw you. And that's your idea of concern? Alaric, your concern is awfully rare."

Her voice grew sharper with each word. "You think you've grown strong enough to stand on your own now, don't you? You've decided you don't need me as your mother, and the Baker family means nothing to you. So why are you even here? Go back to the Crown Prince's Wing. I've had enough of looking at you acting clever while leaving a trail of trouble behind you."

Alaric's face flushed, then drained. He set his jaw. "If Your Majesty is still upset and unwilling to help, or even speak to me properly, then I'll come back another day."

He turned and started toward the door.

"Stop."

Her voice cut through the room.

Alaric halted, his shoulders tight.

Isla rose and walked up to him. She had to tilt her head slightly to meet his eyes.

"I am upset," she said, her tone easing just a little, "but that doesn't mean I won't help you. You're my son. The Crown Prince's Wing and the Queen's court are bound together. I'm not about to abandon you."

She drew a breath. "I've already heard what happened at court today."

Now her voice lowered, edged with frustration. "What were you thinking? Helping the Baker family is one thing, but putting Albert and Liam right at the top where everyone would notice? Were you trying to make it obvious something was off?"

Alaric's eyes were bloodshot as he pushed back. "I did it for you. For the Baker family's standing. Just look at them. My cousins spend their days drinking, chasing women, and wasting coin at gaming tables. When it comes to learning, they fall short every time. If things went the usual way, none of them would ever earn a place in court. If I didn't step in, the Baker name would vanish from official ranks. I was trying to fix that."

Isla let out a long breath, the anger giving way to something heavier. "And your attempt to fix things may ruin you along with them."

She steadied herself. "From now on, stay quiet in the Crown Prince's Wing. Let your father's inquiry run its course. If he questions you, you know nothing. This was the work of careless subordinates. You were misled. Show regret, admit you failed to keep proper control, and nothing more. No matter what happens, you are still the Crown Prince, his eldest son by the queen. Without clear proof tying this directly to you, he won't shake the foundation of the realm lightly."

She paused, then added, "I'll send word to your grandfather. He'll know how to steady things at court and smooth the right paths."

Grandfather.

Alaric felt his thoughts settle all at once.

Of course. How did I forget that?

That was when their expressions finally changed.

After sending the servant away, they moved to the study. The air inside felt heavier, and neither of them spoke at first.

Jayce began pacing. "If you ask me, the Crown Prince handled this badly. Getting Albert and Liam through would've been enough. Why put them right at the top where everyone's eyes would land?"

Ayden exhaled slowly. "What's the use of saying that now? We were the ones who went to him together. He agreed, and he followed through. At the time, we were too busy celebrating to think about holding them back. Complaining now won't change anything."

"Then what do we do?" Jayce snapped. "The king's ordered a full inquiry. The Ministry of Crown Justice, the High Tribunal, the Royal Censorate, all of them are involved. Which part of this holds up if they start digging?"

Ayden didn't answer right away.

After a moment, Jayce tried again. "What if we go to Gareth? He's always been reasonable, and he's had dealings with Father before. If we bring proper gifts and speak carefully, maybe he'll ease things over with the king."

"No," Ayden said, shaking his head. "He's the one who brought this forward in the first place. He made it public. He's not on our side. Going to him now would only make us look desperate. And he's not even leading the inquiry. His word won't decide anything."