Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 554: The First Ripples

She turned right back around and left again without entering the estate.

Sylvia returned home with her attendants.

At the same time, Piers had just come back from the Ministry of Crown Justice. He had changed into more comfortable clothes and was heading toward the study when he spotted Sylvia walking in from the inner courtyard.

Something was wrong the moment he saw her.

Her eyes were red, and so was the tip of her nose. She had clearly been crying.

He stepped closer and stopped in front of her. "What happened?"

The moment she saw him, everything she had been holding in surged back up. Tears filled her eyes again.

She pressed her lips together, trying to steady herself, and told him everything she had seen and heard.

By the end, her voice trembled. "I hate this. She's always been so good to me. Without her, I wouldn't have what I do now. And now she's treated like this, bullied while carrying a child... and I can't do anything to help her. I feel useless."

Piers felt his chest tighten.

What the hell is the Crown Prince thinking? Crossing lines is one thing, but pushing it this far... leaving Sylvia in tears?

That was something he couldn't ignore.

He had always been gentle with Sylvia, never even speaking harshly to her.

And now she couldn't stop crying.

"Hey... it's alright."

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "We're in this together. If you're hurting, I feel it too. I won't let this go. I'll make sure she gets justice."

He spoke softly until she finally calmed down.

They walked back together toward the inner court. Just past the gate, Piers noticed a carriage waiting in the courtyard.

Dark wood, polished clean, with embroidered curtains bearing a simple floral pattern.

He turned to a servant nearby. "Is my uncle here?"

The servant bowed his head. "Yes, my lord. Lord Gareth arrived some time ago. He's in the study with His Grace."

Sylvia glanced at the carriage. "What brings him here today?"

The Duchess of Falconcrest was born a Davis. Her elder brother, Gareth Davis, Piers's maternal uncle, served as the Lord High Chancellor at court.

Piers thought for a moment. "Most likely about the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince had clearly overstepped, hosting a private gathering in his own residence under the Crown Prince's name and inviting the top newly ranked candidates. The whole matter had already set the Ministry of Crown Justice buzzing with speculation all day.

As for the Royal Censorate, it was their duty to scrutinize conduct and call out misconduct across the court.

Given that, his uncle was unlikely to stay silent for long.

He looked at Sylvia. "Didn't I promise you? Leave this to me. Go get some rest."

She looked up at him, her eyes still damp.

His expression softened. He brushed her cheek lightly with his thumb. "But you have to promise me something. No more tears."

She nodded.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before turning and heading toward the study.

Gareth had spent years in the Royal Censorate and carried real influence. If he chose to speak, it would carry weight.

The study was on the eastern side of the estate.

Piers stopped at the door, straightened his coat, and knocked.

There was a brief pause before his father's voice came from inside. "Come in."

He pushed the door open.

The Duke of Falconcrest sat at the head of the room, dressed in a dark, simple robe. Across from him sat Gareth, lean and composed, his posture straight, his expression calm with a faint, practiced warmth.

Piers stepped forward and stopped a few paces away, lowering his head respectfully. "Father. Uncle."

The duke looked at him. "What is it?"

Piers didn't waste time. "The Crown Prince crossed the line. He pressured the Duchess, a Lady of the First Rank, and caused her condition to worsen. This can't be overlooked."

The duke frowned slightly. "Her condition worsened? Explain."

Piers repeated everything Sylvia had told him, word for word.

The duke's expression darkened. "This Crown Prince..."

He stopped himself, unwilling to say more.

Piers turned to Gareth. "The Royal Censorate should raise this tomorrow. This is grounds for impeachment."

Gareth shook his head calmly. "There's more to it than that. The Crown Prince hosting newly selected candidates may seem improper, but His Majesty approved it. If the Censorate challenges this now, it risks questioning the Crown itself."

He continued, measured and steady. "As for the Duchess, she's no longer in immediate danger. The Crown Prince may have spoken out of line, but nothing irreversible happened. If we push this too far, it may be seen as overreach, or as interference in royal family matters."

Piers caught the meaning behind his words immediately.

This was reluctance.

Gareth shifted the topic with practiced ease. "That aside, I didn't come today over court matters. I happened upon a cask of exceptionally fine early harvest wine and thought it worth sharing."