Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 531: Public Reckoning

Albert stared blankly at the dark red pooling on the ground.

Blood?

He... actually got beaten so badly by that nobody that he coughed up blood?

He forced his swollen eyelids open with effort, vision still blurry.

By now, the commotion had drawn a large crowd outside the Imperial Examination Hall. People gathered in tight circles, whispering, pointing, openly staring.

Some looked curious. Some shocked. Some were clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Isn't that one of the Baker family sons? The Queen's side?"

"How did he end up like that? His face is covered in blood. Who did that to him?"

"He didn't even fight back? That's pathetic..."

Every word drilled straight into Albert's ears.

The humiliation burned through him.

He roared, voice cracking with rage, "Are you all useless? Get over here and take him down!"

The group of young nobles snapped out of it at his shout, though only barely.

Josh stood where he was, his expression hard. He rolled his knuckles slowly, the faint crack echoing. His eyes were cold, sharp as steel as they swept across them. "Anyone who's not afraid, step forward."

The sheer edge in his tone made their courage collapse.

Not one of them dared move.

"Albert!"

At that moment, Liam pushed through the crowd with four or five broad-shouldered household guards.

The Baker family had sent a carriage to pick them up that day. Liam had finished earlier and waited, but when Albert didn't show, something felt wrong. He returned with guards to look for him.

The moment he saw Albert sprawled on the ground, blood at the corner of his mouth, one side of his face grotesquely swollen, rage exploded.

He rushed forward, crouching beside him. "What happened to you?"

Albert raised a shaking hand and pointed at Josh. "Him! He did this! You have to get even for me!"

Liam's face turned dark as he looked up at Josh, his voice cold. "You did this?"

Josh didn't back down. "Yeah."

Liam rose slowly to his feet. "Good. Very good. You've got some nerve."

He turned his head slightly. "You heard me. Grab him. Hold him down. Hit his face. Don't stop until he's on his knees begging, until even his own family wouldn't recognize him."

The guards answered in unison and stepped forward, thick arms flexing, their expressions vicious.

"Hold it."

Kaelan strode forward, stepping directly in front of Josh. "Josh had his reasons for what he did today."

Liam didn't even glance at him. This wasn't just about Albert being beaten.

This was about the Baker family losing face. At a moment like this, the reason didn't matter.

A common-born examinee daring to strike a member of the Baker family was already unforgivable.

Liam let out a cold laugh. "Kaelan, I respect your mother, Lady Aveline, so I've shown you some courtesy. But no matter the reason, no one gets to lay a hand on my family and walk away. If I don't make an example of him today, how is my family supposed to hold its ground in Vanelle? Move."

Kaelan's expression hardened. "In broad daylight, right outside the Imperial Examination Hall, you're going to do this?"

Liam scoffed. "Do what? I'm just teaching an arrogant nobody his place. I suggest you step aside. Fists aren't exactly careful. If you get caught in it, that won't reflect well on your mother."

Kaelan didn't move an inch. "As long as I'm here, no one touches him."

Josh let out a quiet breath. He didn't want to drag Kaelan into this. He lowered his voice. "Kaelan, I appreciate it. But this has nothing to do with you. They're coming for me. Just go."

"No."

Kaelan's tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. "I'm not stepping back from this."

Liam gave a mocking laugh, losing patience. "Enough. Do it."

Kaelan's voice rose sharply. "Whoever lays a hand on him is disrespecting me, and disrespecting my mother, Lady Aveline. Think carefully."

Liam's smile turned cold and cutting. "Your mother holds status, sure. My family respects that. But my aunt is the Queen. My cousin is the Crown Prince. In Vanelle, power comes from who stands behind you. And your side isn't enough. So tell me, Kaelan, besides invoking your mother's name, who else do you have?"

"Me."

The voice came suddenly.

Not loud, not forceful, but it cut cleanly through the tension.

Everyone froze for a split second, then turned instinctively toward the source. Not far away, an elegant carriage had come to a stop.

Before anyone could react, two lines of guards moved forward in precise formation, surrounding the entire area. Their movements were disciplined, their gazes sharp, the air around them carrying the unmistakable weight of seasoned soldiers.

Under countless eyes, Elowen stepped down from the carriage and walked forward.

She moved at an unhurried pace, completely composed.

Her gown flowed in a soft sea-green hue, tailored in the noble fashion of Avenlor, sleeves long and layered, the fabric catching light with quiet elegance. Her hair was adorned with delicate jeweled pins, arranged flawlessly.

Her beauty was striking, but it was not what commanded attention.

It was the quiet authority she carried, steady and undeniable. The crowd fell silent without thinking.

Every gaze fixed on her, some respectful, some curious, some uneasy.

Elowen was used to it. She showed no reaction at all.

She came to a stop, glanced briefly at Liam, then lowered her eyes toward Albert on the ground.