Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 536: A Lesson Learned

They walked all the way into the main courtyard.

Archer saw his son almost immediately.

The same boy who needed help dressing at home, who had servants waiting on him for every little thing, was now stripped down to a plain inner shirt, struggling to carry a heavy wooden bucket.

Step by uneven step, he made his way toward a row of garden beds, arms trembling as he tried to pour water without spilling most of it.

Archer stopped cold.

"What is this supposed to be?" he demanded, disbelief clear in his voice.

Anson answered calmly, "This is precisely why he was invited to Hale Manor."

Archer turned to him sharply. "Invited? To carry water?"

Anson inclined his head. "Yes, my lord."

"That's ridiculous," Archer said, his voice tightening. "He's from an official family. He's a scholar preparing for the court exams. You can't have him doing labor like this. It's degrading. It's improper."

Anson nodded once. "You're right."

Archer drew a breath, ready to demand that it stop immediately.

But Anson continued, his tone unchanged. "Which is why Her Grace asked for you to come as well."

Archer blinked, caught off guard. "What does that mean?"

Anson turned slightly toward him. "Her Grace said your son lacks discipline and proper upbringing. That is his fault. But a father bears responsibility for how his son is raised. Since he is here to reflect on his behavior, you will join him."

For a moment, Archer didn't react.

Then his expression hardened.

He was a fourth-rank official. Deputy Communications Councilor.

And now he was being told to haul water in a courtyard garden.

The humiliation hit all at once.

He almost refused outright.

Before he could speak, Anson added, almost casually, "He resisted earlier. The marks are still there. If you're unwilling, the guards can assist. They tend to be... thorough."

Archer glanced around.

The men standing nearby were silent, steady, and clearly not the kind who hesitated.

The refusal died before it reached his mouth.

His face slowly drained of color as he let out a quiet, defeated breath.

Inside the study, the atmosphere was calm.

Elowen rested against a cushioned seat by the window, a book open in her hands.

"Your Grace," Anson said as he entered, bowing slightly. "They've both started working in the garden."

Elowen lifted her gaze and looked outside.

Through the greenery, she could make out two figures moving back and forth, clumsy and uneven in their efforts.

She gave a soft nod. "Well done."

Anson lowered his head. "Just carrying out your instructions."

Elowen's attention shifted to Nikki, who stood nearby grinding ink.

Ever since she heard what had happened, that Archer's son had been brought in, forced to work, and even punished for resisting, the girl hadn't stopped smiling.

Those dimples made it obvious.

Elowen watched her for a moment.

She's enjoying this more than she expected.

That thought didn't bother her. If anything, it felt justified.

She closed her book gently. "Nikki."

Nikki looked up immediately. "Yes, Your Grace?"

Elowen gestured toward the window, a faint, knowing smile at the corner of her lips. "That's enough. Go outside and keep an eye on them."

"Keep an eye?" Nikki repeated, blinking.

Then it clicked.

Her eyes lit up. "You mean... watch them work?"

Elowen nodded. "Take something with you. If they slow down or try to cut corners, correct them. Don't worry about their status. Would you like to do it?"

Nikki covered her mouth, barely containing her excitement.

She couldn't believe she was being trusted with this.

But more than that, she was thrilled.

Those noble sons had always looked down on her, acting like she didn't even belong in the same space.

Now things were different.

Now she had someone backing her.

And not just anyone.

Her face flushed with excitement as she nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Grace. I'll go right away."

She set aside the ink and hurried out.

Near the window, a cluster of thin trees grew along the edge of the courtyard. She stepped over, selected a flexible branch, and snapped it clean.

She tested the weight in her hand.

Just right.

This is going to sting.

A quick grin crossed her face before she ran off toward the garden.

Anson watched her go, his expression turning slightly thoughtful.

After a brief pause, he turned back to Elowen and lowered his voice.

"Your Grace, what you've done will certainly settle matters for Josh and his sister, and it reinforces authority within the manor. However... Archer is still a ranking official. After today, he may bring this before the court. He could claim you overstepped, that you humiliated a government official. It might damage your standing, or give others a reason to act against you."