Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 523: The Quiet Deal

Ayden lowered his voice, making sure no one beyond the room could hear. "Your Highness can rest assured. This will be handled carefully. Only family will know, and nothing will leak. Jayce, Albert, Liam, and I, the four of us will keep this completely sealed."

He leaned in slightly, his tone shifting, softer now, almost coaxing. "To be honest, this is for your benefit too. When Your Highness takes the throne one day, having people in court who are truly yours will make everything easier. Decisions move faster. Fewer obstacles."

He continued, voice low and deliberate. "Look at the court now. How many officials were brought up by the Duke of Duskmoor? When the time comes, if Your Highness has someone you favor, someone you want close, how can you expect those men to act in your interest if they don't belong to your circle?"

Alaric's gaze darkened slightly, something complicated passing through his eyes.

Yes. Someone he favored. Someone he would want near him.

The study fell into silence, heavy and drawn out. At last, Alaric shifted slightly in his seat. "What you've said, I'll keep in mind."

Jayce leaned forward, clearly about to press him for a clear answer.

Ayden caught his arm quickly and pulled him back, stopping him before he could speak.

Alaric waved a hand lightly. "That's all for now. You may go."

Ayden stood at once. "Yes, Your Highness."

Jayce followed a moment later, slower, still uncertain, but he said nothing more.

Once the door closed behind them, the quiet returned.

Alaric lifted a hand to his temple, irritation surfacing as the familiar headache crept back. He pressed his fingers there, eyes closing briefly.

"Your Highness."

At the sound of Iris's voice, Alaric finally looked up at her. "Do you know what they're here for?"

Iris kept her gaze lowered. "I wouldn't dare assume, Your Highness."

A faint, almost amused sound escaped him. "You know. No need to pretend otherwise."

Iris paused for a brief moment, then answered carefully. "They came to speak on behalf of the Baker brothers. They want Your Highness to ensure their success in the court qualification trials."

Alaric nodded once. "You read it well."

He watched her closely. "And what do you think?"

Iris drew a quiet breath before speaking. "If I may be frank, Your Highness and the Baker family stand together. If they rise, Your Highness benefits. If they fall, it will make things more difficult. Supporting them now would, in truth, serve your own interests."

Alaric's fingers paused briefly against his temple before lowering. "That aligns with my thinking."

Iris hesitated, then added softly, "There is one more matter."

Alaric turned his head slightly. "Go on."

She lowered her eyes further. "Yesterday, at Lady of Grace and Virtue's birthday, Your Highness spoke rather harshly to Leonhart. He has always been loyal to you. He was... hurt."

Alaric's expression barely changed. "I know."

After a short pause, he said, "Send word to Duke Roland's estate. Tell Leonhart to come to the Crown Prince's Wing. Say I've acquired several notable works and would like him to join me."

Iris bowed her head. "Yes, Your Highness."

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her again.

"In the past, when Leonhart visited, you were the one attending him. He's familiar with you. Keep it that way today. Be attentive."

Iris glanced up briefly. "Understood. That will make it clear to him how much Your Highness values him. He will feel reassured."

Alaric's lips curved faintly, not quite a smile. He waved his hand. "Go."

Iris gave a proper court bow and stepped out.

If she were truly devoted to the Crown Prince's Wing, she would have stopped him just now. Interfering with something as critical as the court qualification trials was no small matter.

But she had already made her judgment.

Alaric did not have what it took to hold power for long.

And she had no intention of tying her fate to his.

By the time everything came to light, she would already be gone. From this point on, whether Alaric lived or fell would have nothing to do with her anymore.

Leonhart's visit had been arranged, so Iris waited for him at the palace gate as instructed.

Roughly half an hour later, his figure appeared along the stone approach.

He wore a deep navy coat, his stride relaxed, his expression open and bright as always.

When he saw Iris, his face lit up. "Iris? You didn't have to come all the way out here for me."

Iris gave a smooth, practiced curtsy. "My lord, His Highness gave clear instructions. You are an honored guest today. Everything must be handled with care."

Leonhart's smile widened immediately. "I knew it. Alaric does care about me. Yesterday at Hale Manor didn't sit right, so now he's making up for it, inviting me in and even sending you to meet me at the gate. He's really going out of his way."

Iris smiled gently. "I mentioned yesterday, Your Highness holds you in high regard. You are always on his mind."

Leonhart's mood lifted further. "Right, tell me, what exactly did he get? He just said 'paintings,' didn't give any details."