“The atmosphere seems more serious than usual, perhaps because the trial involves the Imperial Family. The people attending the court are not usually of high status. I heard His Majesty will also be coming soon.”
An apprentice journalist from <Agnas News>, one of the most influential newspapers in the empire, muttered as he looked around.
It was not uncommon for members of the aristocratic faction to file lawsuits against the Imperial Consort or her faction. But today was different because Claude’s lineage was brought into question.
“Perhaps the Duke of Lexion, who now has a capable heir, is becoming more aggressive in his attempt to seize the throne? Especially since there’s no sign of improvement in the Emperor’s health…”
The apprentice journalist asked, sneaking a glance at Benjamin.
Benjamin Homan is currently the newspaper’s most recognized journalist for his in-depth articles on the Duke of Lexion’s secret heir.
Given his persistent focus on the topics of Lexion and the Imperial Family, he would likely be well-informed about today’s lawsuit.
“What do you think, Mr. Benjamin?”
“If it was merely to restrain the Imperial Consort’s side to claim the throne, there would be no need for the Little Duke and his wife to personally attend.”
Benjamin answered, his eyes fixed on the voluptuous blonde hair that was fluttering in the front row of the audience in the distance.
Walter, who was with her, had a distinctive, intimidating look in his eyes, even when he was serving as a stableman, a militiaman, or a Little Duke.
His dark green eyes were filled with confidence that he could easily defeat the opponent in front of him. There was also a sense of belligerence in his eyes, as if he was going to win the fight anyway.
『 A man like him would never waste his time watching a trivial fight.』
Moreover, by his side now was Edith, with a slightly nervous expression. As smart as she was, it was unlikely that she would have come to this position without any thought or preparation.
“It’s unfortunate news for the Imperial Consort Patricia that those two came in person. Get your act together; you never know when an important statement will come up.”
While Benjamin’s voice was indifferent as he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Edith.
──────────✿◦•
“I believe everyone here is well aware of the value of the magicites. It’s a mineral that has hundreds of years of accumulated magical power in its natural state. Even small amounts can be useful.”
“…”
“However, even when Lady Patricia and Count Gerturk received information about the magicite mine buried in Baron Humphrey’s territory, they kept it a complete secret. They chose House Gerturk’s interests over the interests of all of Agnas.”
Lawyers from the aristocratic faction questioned the Imperial Consort’s crimes individually.
Patricia maintained an unshaken attitude, insisting that everything was a mistake and an administrative omission. However, she couldn’t keep her composure after the witness came forward.
“I… I am Rosaline, I’ve served the Imperial Consort for a long time.”
“…!”
Patricia chewed the flesh in her mouth as she listened to Rosaline’s testimony.
The entire courtroom erupted in chaos upon learning that Claude was conceived through another man as a result of the Emperor’s infertility.
“So, Claude isn’t of Imperial Blood…”
“If what that woman said is true, wouldn’t Patricia, who became the Imperial Consort by the virtue of bearing an imperial descendant, also be excluded from the Imperial Family?”
“If there’s anything to worry about as a member of the Imperial Family, it makes sense that she hid the magicites so she could raise a slush fund.”
The journalists’ hands moved faster in response to the discussion.
Patricia stood up from her seat and glared at Rosaline.
“Look at her. She’s surrounded and protected by Lexion’s knights. She must have been promised something by House Lexion in exchange for framing me.”
“…”
“Besides, if Claude isn’t of the imperial bloodline… That servant doesn’t even know what she’s saying, she should be punished for trying to defame the Imperial Family.”
Patricia did not break down even after Rosaline’s testimony. Instead, she complained that it was she who was wronged and glanced at the doctor.
“I have no intention of avoiding this issue, both for the honor of the late Emperor and for the sake of my son, who is the only descendant of the Agnas Imperial Family.”
The Imperial Consort turned her gaze towards the specially arranged jury seat for the Imperial Family. There, the Emperor was observing the trial with an indifferent expression on his face.
“Your Honorable Majesty, I ask for your help to prove that my son belongs to the Imperial Bloodline.”
When the Emperor saw Patricia speaking passionately, he smirked.
“Very well.”
As the Emperor stood up, the doctors followed him. This was because, according to protocol, members of the Imperial Family couldn’t have their blood drawn in public.
Claude also left the room for a moment, and before long, a crystal rod for paternity testing was prepared in the courtroom.
“Isn’t this the third time Lord Claude has taken a paternity test?”
“Since it was claimed that Lady Patricia hired another man to get her pregnant, if it turns out that Claude is of Imperial Blood, House Lexion will have to bear great responsibility.”
“Surely, House Lexion wouldn’t have undertaken this without any preparation. I guess they believe in something.”
Soon the doctors returned with small glass bottles. The moment they dropped the blood from the bottles onto both ends of the crystal rod.
Zzing—
The crystal rod had a bluish glow that could be seen from afar.
Although Claude’s bloodline wasn’t as deep blue as he was not the current Emperor’s son, the fact that he was of the same bloodline seemed obvious.
“What is this… I thought there was going to be a twist.”
“It’s already been done several times. There’s no twist. It was House Lexion’s fault for believing the word of a maid who was once the closest to the Imperial Consort.”
“Lady Patricia… she’s so pitiful too. Having to prove her son’s lineage every time just because she comes from a powerless family.”
The more the public sympathy shifted towards her, the more Patricia’s smirk widened.
『 Even the lawyers of the aristocratic faction have turned pale.』
They must have realized that even if House Gerturk’s authority was not as strong as Lexion’s, it would be enough to intimidate a few fringe lawyers.
Now that it had become a fact that Claude was the only remaining member of the Agnas Imperial Family, Patricia tried to put an end to this meaningless legal battle.
However, Walter spoke up before she could.
“Let’s take a paternity test again. This time, let’s collect the blood in front of everyone.”
It was as if he was deliberately giving her time to see how she would react.
Patricia, who suddenly felt uncomfortable, reflexively responded.
“Little Duke, please don’t be stubborn. It seems like you’re desperate to discredit Claude as not being of Imperial Blood…”
Patricia pointed to the crystal rod that glowed bluish.
“Isn’t there proof right there that both His Majesty and Claude are sons of the late Emperor?”
There was no flaw in Patricia’s logic.
If the Emperor had other brothers, one could argue that their blood might have been used to manipulate the results. However, Claude was the only one who survived the succession to the throne.
Logically, there was no way to manipulate paternity test results.
“Dragging this on any longer seems only to invite more accusations, so let’s conclude it here.”
Just as she was about to get up and leave her seat, Walter’s voice rang out in the courtroom.
“We can use Your Majesty’s blood, right?”
“…!”
Walter recalled what Edith had told him in the carriage.
⋙“Walter. According to court records, all of Claude’s blood paternity tests were done privately using the ‘Rwenna-Edward’ blood test rod.”⋘
⋙“Rwenna… What?”⋘
⋙“It’s the name of a crystal rod we’ve used a few times. It determines the blood relationship by analyzing how similar the waves are in the blood collected from both sides.”⋘
The methods and principles of paternity testing had nothing to do with the content of the Academy’s medical exams.
However, when she became pregnant with Adrian, Edith’s curiosity aroused her, and she spent time reading books, gaining extensive knowledge about the subject.
⋙“Both Rosaline and Elizabeth said that Patricia went to the Health Bureau before every trial. She went there because she could get His Majesty’s blood. It’s not that difficult, given the structure of the Health Bureau.”⋘
Edith said that with the confidence of someone who had once stolen the Emperor’s blood.
『 Did she anticipate this situation coming?』
If it weren’t for Edith’s curiosity, he wouldn’t have had a clue. Thanks to this, Walter continued speaking without hesitation.
“If the Emperor’s blood obtained from the Health Bureau is mixed with someone else’s blood and applied to the crystal rod, the result would show a blood relationship. It doesn’t matter whose blood it is, even if it’s not Claude.”
“…”
“And since the blood of the same person is on both sides of the crystal rod, the result will be that the waves are similar.”
Patricia, who had displayed calmness until now, began to become visibly agitated.
“Originally, the blood of the Imperial Family members should be burned, so it shouldn’t be available, but His Majesty’s illness is severe. Since he suffers from frequent hemoptysis, there would always be blood-stained waste in the Health Bureau. Squeezing a few drops of blood from that wouldn’t be difficult.”
“…”
“Moreover, there’s a common preconception that typical paternity tests require blood to be collected on the spot, making it impossible to manipulate the results. It would be difficult to think that the Imperial Consort bribed the doctors to mix His Majesty’s blood with Claude’s blood.”
“Little Duke, now without any evidence…”
Walter didn’t miss the tremor in Patricia’s voice as she turned to him.
“With all due respect, Your Highness, I would like another paternity test to be conducted once again in front of everyone. If I’m wrong, I am willing to face the punishment for insulting the Imperial Family immediately.”
Although his words sounded polite, his eyes were already full of confidence in victory.
“Let’s address the concerns raised by the Little Duke. Claude, you will have your blood drawn here, in full view of everyone. Let’s draw my blood again too.”
The Emperor gestured at the doctors with a meaningful look that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Patricia, pale, put her hand inside her clothes and grasped the cold handle of the dagger, pretending to calm her trembling hands.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
