Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 534: No Way Forward

Liam managed to steady her enough to summon the estate physician.

After a careful examination, the conclusion was clear.

It was mostly surface injury, though the cheekbone showed a slight fracture. Proper rest would be required. Medicine was prescribed to reduce swelling, ease pain, and help him recover.

As Albert lay there, teeth clenched, groaning from the pain, Liam's frustration only grew.

"If you have an issue, take it to His Majesty."

Elowen's words lingered in his mind like something lodged too deep to pull free. He held no office. No special standing that allowed him access to the inner court.

Even if he wanted to press the matter, he had no path to do it.

After turning it over again and again, Liam finally made his decision. He would go see his grandpa, Colton Baker.

Colton resided in the eastern wing of the Baker Estate.

The courtyard there was quiet and restrained, old trees rising high above carefully kept grounds, the entire place carrying an air of age and discipline.

At eighty, his hair was completely white, his face lined with years.

He sat by the window, supported by attendants, slowly drinking a bowl of freshly prepared medicine.

When Liam entered and greeted him, Colton gave a faint, warm smile. "Liam. You and Albert have finished your exams? How did it go?"

Liam inclined himself deeply. "Yes, Grandfather. We have both completed them. The questions seemed somewhat easier this year. I believe I answered them reasonably well, and Albert did his best. We agreed to come see you as soon as it was over, so you would not worry."

Colton nodded, the smile on his face deepening slightly. "Good. Once it's done, it's done. As long as you gave it your best."

His gaze moved past Liam. "Where is Albert?"

Liam clenched his jaw, then suddenly dropped down heavily, his voice filled with urgency. "Grandfather. Albert has been beaten. He's badly hurt. He's in his room now. The physician has already seen him. His face is severely swollen, and even the bone has been affected. There isn't a single place untouched."

Colton's brows drew together sharply. "Beaten? By whom?"

Liam lifted his reddened eyes. "A candidate named Josh. He comes from a low background. He has a younger sister who serves at Hale Manor under the Lady of Grace and Virtue. After the exam, Albert merely nudged a small stone that rolled near him, and he suddenly lost his temper and struck Albert twice without warning. Albert had no chance to react..."

In just a few sentences, he removed all of Albert's fault.

"Grandfather, Albert is completely innocent. That man acted without any regard for the Baker family. And Lady of Grace and Virtue not only failed to act fairly, she sided with him, humiliated me in public, punished several of us, and even threatened to summon Councilor Archer to Hale Manor for labor."

His voice tightened. "Grandfather, you must stand up for Albert. And for me."

He lowered himself further, waiting for anger and a decisive response. But instead, the room fell into silence.

Liam hesitated, then carefully looked up. Colton's expression was calm. Far too calm.

Those aged eyes, though clouded, remained sharp as they looked down at him.

There was no trace of sympathy. Only a cold clarity.

Liam's chest tightened, and he instinctively looked away.

"Stand up for you?" Colton spoke slowly, his voice low and steady. "And how exactly do you expect me to do that?"

Liam answered at once. "We present the matter before His Majesty. Make clear that Albert was attacked without cause and that I was humiliated. Let His Majesty judge, punish the attacker, and correct Elowen's actions so the matter is properly settled."

Colton let out a cold laugh.

"Albert's nature, do you think I'm unaware of it?"

His voice sharpened.

"A stray stone, is that what we're calling it now? Liam, your ability to twist a story has become quite refined."

Liam's face went pale, his mouth opening slightly as if to defend himself.

But Colton continued, "I have not met Josh, but I have heard of him. He was personally taken in by Edmund this year. Edmund does not take in fools. If that boy raised his hand, then Albert must have said something he shouldn't have. Something that crossed a line, perhaps even dragged in someone's family."

He paused, his tone turning colder.

"And you want me to bring this before His Majesty? Do you think His Majesty cares about family names? What he values is ability and character. If this reaches him and he looks into it, who do you think he will side with?"

Silence pressed down across the room.

Then, more quietly, heavier than before:

"And that boy... comes from a family that paid for this realm with their lives."