Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 496: Family Matters

Elowen's decision to host her birthday celebration on a grand scale quickly spread across Vanelle, and before long, invitations had reached nearly every household with any standing in the city.

The Baker family was, of course, among them.

That morning, Clarisse followed her usual routine and went to attend her grandfather.

The lord's health had been failing for some time, yet the discipline within the household remained unchanged. Formal greetings at dawn and dusk were still expected without exception.

Clarisse spoke gently at his bedside, keeping her tone soft and measured as she exchanged a few quiet words with him. When she noticed fatigue setting in, she excused herself with proper courtesy and withdrew.

As she made her way back along the covered gallery toward her own courtyard, she ran into several of her cousins near the arched passage.

Albert and Liam were at the front, both around the same age, with a few younger boys trailing behind them.

Even before they reached her, the smell gave them away.

Wine, stale and heavy, mixed with cloying perfume that didn't belong in any respectable household.

Clarisse instinctively lifted her handkerchief, her brows drawing together ever so slightly.

It didn't take much imagination to guess where they had spent the night.

She stopped, her posture composed, her tone calm but edged with disapproval. "Grandfather hasn't been well, and he needs quiet, especially while he's taking his medicine. You should show some restraint. If you go in like this and upset him, it won't reflect well on any of you."

Albert, already in a sour mood from his hangover, let out a short, dismissive laugh. "If you're so concerned about him, maybe you should focus on getting yourself married into a proper household. That would do more to ease his mind than lecturing us."

His gaze sharpened, his tone turning pointed. "Instead, you keep to yourself and spend all your time with your attendants. Especially that Geoffrey. He's hardly even whole anymore, is he? What exactly are you doing with him?"

The younger boys immediately lowered their heads, not daring to react.

Clarisse's expression stilled, though her fingers tightened slightly at her side.

Liam stepped in quickly, forcing a smooth smile. "Don't take that to heart. He drank far too much last night and hasn't come to his senses yet. He doesn't even know what he's saying."

Clarisse took a slow breath, then gave a faint smile that carried no warmth. "I wouldn't waste my time arguing with someone who can barely stand straight."

She let that settle before continuing, her tone still even but carrying a sharper edge beneath it. "Since we're talking about responsibility, the court qualification trials are coming up. You might want to start taking your studies seriously. You failed two years ago, and then again last year. If it happens again this time..."

She allowed the silence to stretch just enough to make them uncomfortable.

Then she finished calmly, "You know Grandfather's temper. At that point, it won't stop at a scolding. Your allowances will be cut, and you may find yourselves thinking twice before spending even a coin at a tavern."

Liam's smile stiffened. "That's... fair."

Albert, however, bristled immediately. "And whose fault was that? We didn't fail because we didn't try. It was because the Duke of Duskmoor was in charge. The standards were ridiculous, the rules airtight. No room for anything. It wasn't just us. Even the Jones family barely got anyone through."

He gave a scoff, confidence returning to his voice. "This year will be different. The Duke's out, and everyone knows the Crown Prince will take over. That makes him family. You really think he won't look out for us? This time, we're passing."

Liam nodded quickly in agreement. "Exactly."

Clarisse felt a quiet, cold disdain settle in her chest.

So this is what they rely on. Not skill, not discipline, just connections and favors.

If she had been born a man, she would never have needed to depend on something so hollow.

Out loud, her tone remained light, almost casual. "That reminds me. The Duchess of Duskmoor will be hosting a birthday celebration soon. An invitation has already been sent to our household."

Her gaze lingered on them, steady and composed.

"Grandfather has made it clear that all of us are to attend. So make sure you're present."