"Ally, didn't we already put that matter to rest?"
The weight of words spoken privately was different from those spoken before many.
The emperor raised his brows, his face stern.
"Mani, let's move this conversation elsewhere for now."
"There's no need. The truth will come out soon enough."
"Ally!"
"The Winteren couple married not out of love, but solely for the sake of adoption!"
Alice pointed at Estellelele.
Suddenly finding all eyes fixed on her, Estellelele froze in panic.
Lennox, on the other hand, folded his arms and openly displayed his displeasure.
Ignoring them, Alice continued.
"It was because of people who abused or treated adopted children like slaves that the law was made: only couples who had lived together for more than a year could adopt."
"….."
"But if they truly married only to fulfill that one year, won't that cause problems? For the sake of the child's future, the truth must be revealed."
"…."
"So Father, please bring out the holy relic."
For the sake of the child.
Alice's words sounded, at first glance, virtuous—almost noble.
"That is the birthday gift I truly want."
The Libra Scales were a sacred relic rented by the imperial family from the temple at a vast cost.
Normally, they were only used to judge grave matters of right and wrong.
That was because every use demanded an enormous amount of divine power.
"My lovely daughter, but still… this is quite…"
The joyful songs had long since ceased.
In the suffocating silence, all eyes turned toward the Winteren couple.
Their expressions were full of doubt.
They could not agree with Alice's words.
After all, today they had seen with their own eyes a couple who seemed far too affectionate.
"This is troubling… truly difficult."
To publicly humiliate the Duke and Duchess of Winteren, even on a final birthday—what an awkward affair.
"Father, you don't have to feel troubled. I received a reliable report."
Alice had a source she trusted.
"Lady Langster, come forward."
Alice's call brought a woman forward toward her.
It was a face both Estellelele and Lennox knew well.
The woman who, in his past life, had been Lennox's contract wife.
In this life too, she had sought to be his contract wife—until she saw Lennox aiming his sword at Estellelele, and fled.
It was her.
Ah, I forgot to silence her.
The moment Lennox saw her face—her name long forgotten—he realized his mistake.
In their past life, her presence had been so insignificant that he had dismissed her, and that negligence had now come back to haunt him.
"This woman will tell the truth. Please, bring out the holy relic."
"If that's the case, let's at least hear her out. Since a priest is present, we only need the relic."
"Your Majesty, to use the holy relic for something this trivial is excessive. Moreover, the relic cannot be used without a high-ranking priest."
Lennox stopped the emperor.
"Do you truly mean to summon the Pope himself just to pry into a couple's private matters?"
"Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but my opinion differs somewhat."
Before the emperor's mind could waver, Helios—who had remained silent until now—interjected.
"This concerns the life of a child, and if it proves true, it is a grave matter of deceiving the imperial family. Even His Holiness the Pope would surely consent to bring out the relic without hesitation."
"….."
"And as for the divine power required—I alone am sufficient."
With a voice firm with conviction and a gentle smile, Helios's face radiated trust that quickly settled over the assembly.
So carefully orchestrated was the scheme that no one suspected Helios was the mastermind behind it all.
[Father, I was blinded by greed—I nearly fell prey to a demon's temptation!]
Not long ago, Lady Langster, tormented by relentless nightmares, had gone to confession.
And behind the partition wall sat Helios.
[To have consorted with a demon is a grave sin. To receive forgiveness, you must repent, Sister.]
[Repent…?]
[For instance… what if you confessed that day's events to the imperial family? Since it concerns the Winterens, it would be best to tell Her Highness the Princess, who takes a particular interest in their affairs.]
[B-but…]
[Is it not your guilt that robs you of sleep, Sister? I have heard that Her Highness is generous in nature—if you confess, she will surely grant you leniency.]
In the end, a servant brought forth the holy relic.
Alice crooked her finger slightly.
"Cleric."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Helios, hiding his dark intentions, received the relic.
The sacred artifact depicted Reltasia, the god, holding the Scales.
Reltasia was facing to the right, and when the scale on that side dipped downward, it signified truth.
Thus began the princess's interrogation.
"What is your name?"
"Hazel Langster, Your Highness."
The once-level scales tilted to the right.
Truth.
"Very well, Lady Langster. On the night of the banquet celebrating Duke Winteren's subjugation of the western monsters, what did you see?"
"I saw the Duke and Lady Bellonsa… that is, the current Duchess of Winteren… together in the garden."
Still to the right.
"Why were the two of them together?"
"I believe it was because of a discussion about a contract marriage."
"Contract marriage?"
"In truth, I had heard a rumor that very day. That the Duke would pay a great sum of money to anyone willing to become his wife for exactly one year."
To the right.
"Shameful as it is to admit, I too was blinded by money and sought out the Duke. But the Duchess had arrived before me. And the very next day, the two of them were wed."
To the right.
Alice continued.
"And I also heard that upon returning from the monster subjugation, Duke Winteren earnestly pleaded with my father—saying that he wished to adopt a child."
"Even after this, will you still claim there's no problem?"
The scales tilted right again—truth.
"This is no different from buying a woman and a child with money. It's an act that tramples on the rights of women and children."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
So that's why the Duchess's husband didn't die this time…
It was only because it was a contract marriage, wasn't it?
And yet, the Duke truly did seem to love her…
But then again, has anyone ever seen the Duke allow physical contact with another person?
No, no one has.
"The truth will be clear once we confirm it. Let's see just how obsessed with money the Duchess of Winteren is. Cleric."
At the princess's command, Helios, relic in hand, approached the Winteren couple.
Lennox furrowed his brows.
"Answering such a crude slander is a waste of time."
"A simple 'yes' or 'no' will do, Duke Winteren. Or perhaps you have something to hide?"
Alice raised her chin, brimming with confidence.
It was a dead end.
Estellelele's face darkened—when suddenly—
Todot.
Todododododot—!
Waaang!
Duren came running at full speed and bit Alice's hand.
"Umma, haeropiji maang! (Mommy, don't hurt her!)"
"…What?"
Because he was biting Alice's hand, Duren's words came out garbled. Only Estellelele and Lennox understood them clearly.
Bad person!
Zzrit—
Duren glared at Alice.
He had been happily playing with his friends when he suddenly felt as though everyone was speaking ill of his mother.
At first, he hadn't quite understood their words, but when he saw his mother's face darken, he was certain.
Sensing from the atmosphere that Alice was the cause, Duren bit down harder.
"Duren, you mustn't bite people!"
"Hudimang (But)…."
"No."
Hiiing—
Mommy said no…
Duren reluctantly released Alice's hand.
"So you're that pitiful child."
Alice, her hand slick with saliva, forced a calm expression as she looked down at Duren with feigned pity.
"Dudu isn't pitiful!"
"..."
"Dudu is happy!"
Of course, there was a condition.
"As long as Mommy is there!"
Seizing the opportunity, Alice asked,
"And what about your father? Are you happy if he's with you too?"
"Daddy is…"
Duren shifted his eyes, avoiding Alice's gaze.
"Not really… maybe not that happy."
As if she had expected it, Alice smirked faintly.
Estellelele might not realize it, but to everyone else, Lennox clearly seemed to have no affection for his family.
He was a man without blood or tears, moving only for the sake of his goals.
"Cleric, continue."
Helios nodded and turned to Lennox.
"Did you marry your wife, Estellelele Winteren, out of love?"
"Yes."
The scales tilted left.
"Hee—"
Everyone drew in a small breath.
So all the tenderness they had witnessed today… had been an act.
Only Helios looked at Estellelele without a flicker of emotion.
Estellelele, stiff with tension, flinched as though burned under his gaze.
"It's been a while, madam."
"…Yes, it has."
Helios gave her a gentle smile.
"Then this time, I shall ask you. Madam, do you love your husband?"
"Yes."
The scales tilted left again.
A lie.
Malice curled at the corner of Alice's lips.
"There's no need to ask further. Father, you've seen it all—this marriage should be annulled…"
"Wait."
Lennox cut her off.
Then he declared, unflinching,
"This outcome is only natural."
"Duke Winteren, are you about to confess?"
"No."
"..."
"I mean it's only natural—because the relic is a fake."
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