Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 533: A Lesson Given

Elowen spoke slowly, almost casually, as if the matter meant very little to her. "I'm not looking to lay a hand on you. I just want a private word."

The young man in violet froze, the smile on his face stiffening as sweat began to gather along his brow. "I... I don't think that's necessary, Your Grace..."

"I said I want a word." The smile on Elowen's lips faded, her voice cooling. "And you keep avoiding me. Should I take that as you refusing me outright?"

He paused, caught completely off guard.

Elowen let out a short, cold laugh. "I have no idea which house you come from, but clearly no one there bothered to teach you proper conduct. You speak recklessly, try to pull a girl away from my staff as if she were yours to claim, and now that I'm standing in front of you, you can't even offer basic courtesy."

The young man blinked, completely stunned.

What is this?

Every sentence she spoke seemed to layer over the last, leaving him no room to respond.

No matter how many explanations he could come up with, none of them would come out clean.

Elowen turned slightly and gave her order without hesitation. "Take him."

Her tone was calm, like she was arranging something routine. "Bring him back to Hale Manor. I've had the grounds reorganized recently, and there's plenty of work to be done. He can start with the water runs and hauling duties."

The young man's eyes widened in shock. "Your Grace, I am from an official family. My father is Deputy Communications Councilor Archer. We—"

"Deputy Communications Councilor Archer?" Elowen cut him off, one brow lifting slightly. "Perfect. Then send word and have him come along as well. Since you'll be working, it only makes sense your father joins you."

The young man went completely still. This wasn't punishment.

This was humiliation. Sending him to do labor was one thing, but calling his father to do the same?

He couldn't even find the words.

He turned instinctively toward Liam, desperation clear in his eyes.

Liam clenched his fingers, drew in a breath, and stepped forward. "Your Grace, with respect, this arrangement may not be appropriate. Gavin is, after all, the son of a serving official..."

"Not appropriate?" Elowen turned her head, her gaze settling on him. "A moment ago, you made it very clear that harming someone from the Baker family meant insulting the entire Baker family. So tell me, how does that same principle suddenly become inappropriate when it concerns Hale Manor?"

Her tone sharpened slightly.

"Or are you suggesting that the dignity of Hale Manor, and the people I choose to protect, somehow rank below yours?"

Liam fell silent, his face shifting between red and pale. "Josh is... only a common candidate. He holds no position, no title..."

Elowen cut him off cleanly. "And what of it? I choose to stand for him."

She looked at him directly. "If you have an issue with that, you are welcome to bring it before His Majesty."

Liam's body stiffened.

Elowen no longer paid him any attention. She turned to Josh instead. "Anyone else?"

Josh already felt the matter had gone far enough. He shook his head. "Your Grace, the others were only laughing along. It doesn't rise to anything serious."

Elowen nodded, then shifted her gaze to Kaelan, who had been silent the entire time. "Kaelan, you were there as well. Is there anything you wish to add?"

Kaelan paused, then looked at her.

The daylight fell across her face, tracing the lines of her features with clarity.

The Elowen he remembered had been gentle, composed, soft in manner.

The woman standing before him now was decisive, unyielding, and carried an authority that pressed outward without effort.

This... isn't the same presence.

For no clear reason, his thoughts drifted to Cassian.

Not in appearance. In presence.

They've started to feel alike.

Kaelan steadied himself and shook his head. "No, Your Grace."

Elowen glanced between him and Josh, then gave a small nod. "Very well."

Josh wasn't someone who held grudges easily.

Kaelan, raised carefully by Aveline, understood restraint and balance. He would not push matters beyond what was necessary.

If Scarlet had been there that day, things would not have ended this cleanly.

She would have remembered every face, every word, and not a single one would have slipped away.

But things had already reached this point.

There was no need to go further.

"Then we end it here," Elowen said, her voice lifting slightly, carrying across those nearby.

"Let me make one thing clear. Respect begins with how you conduct yourself. Backgrounds may differ, education may vary, but dignity is not ranked. Leaning on your family name to belittle others does not make you powerful. It only proves a lack of character."

She let the words settle before adding, "Mind your words. And your actions."

Then she turned back to Kaelan, her expression softening slightly. "You've had a long day. Head home and get some rest. No need to keep Aveline worried."

Kaelan inclined his head. "Safe travels, Your Grace."

Elowen said nothing further. She turned and stepped toward the waiting carriage as guards brought Josh and the pale-faced Gavin forward.

Soon after, the carriage set off from the Imperial Examination Hall, heading toward Hale Manor.

On the other side, Liam's face had gone rigid. He directed the servants to help Albert into their carriage.

By the time they returned to the Baker Estate, word had already spread.

Albert's mother rushed out the moment she heard, her voice breaking as she saw him. She clutched him tightly, crying out in panic, calling for a physician, demanding to know who had done this, the entire courtyard thrown into disorder.