Chapter 32

“It is the child of a woman I was involved with before my marriage. She came from a different social standing, and while we were struggling against my family’s disapproval, she died giving birth to the child. Later, Lady Agnes Everchen understood my situation and agreed to raise the boy as her own after our marriage.”

“Agnes Everchen, is what he says true?”

Whispers spread through the courtroom like a crashing wave.

The priest maintained a solemn expression, yet there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes at this unexpected scandal.

Because the revelation came directly from Rickman himself, few doubted its authenticity.

Even so, Agnes straightened her back more firmly than ever and spoke in a clear, steady voice, hiding her pale face beneath a layer of calm composure.

“It is not true. Noah Overhen is my biological son. Rickman Overhen is slandering me because he fears losing custody. Such behavior is against what is right.”

“You are the one going against what is right. What is your aim in claiming the custody of a child who is not even yours? If you had any sense, I would have taken that secret to the grave and allowed you to remain Noah’s mother until my death.”

“No, Your Grace. I am telling the truth. Noah Overhen is my child, and I have every right to claim custody.”

“Agnes Everchen. You have no shame.”

When Rickman shouted, Agnes met his eyes with a cold, disdainful gaze, then stepped forward toward the priest.

“Your Grace, please conduct a formal investigation if you must. I can say with complete confidence that I gave birth to Noah Overhen myself.”

Rickman was a perfectionist. He had falsified Noah’s birth record flawlessly, leaving no room for suspicion.

If any evidence existed, it would likely be buried deep within his private office. But Agnes knew Rickman would never reveal it.

He raged that she was lying, yet every furious gesture of his only confirmed how well she understood him.

“There were many times I doubted whether Rickman Overhen truly regarded Noah as his own son. He was never a kind father. He used the child’s emotional instability to force him into study and even used him as an excuse to pressure me into reconciliation. He made a boy of only five train with a sword.”

Agnes paused to steady her voice and took a slow breath before continuing.

“He told me I had to obey him if I wanted him to stop the abuse he inflicted himself. Tell me, is that the behavior of a husband and father?”

“Agnes Everchen. How dare you insult me and my son.”

Rickman’s fury burst like wildfire as he reached toward her. Had this not been a public courtroom, he would have struck her without hesitation.

Agnes did not flinch. She spoke boldly.

“Your Grace, please grant me the strength to raise the child the goddess has blessed me with, properly and safely. I only wish to help a boy who has lost his voice because of his father’s cruelty find it again and grow into a devoted son of the goddess and a proud citizen of the Empire.”

With her hands clasped as though in prayer, Agnes turned to the priest and then to the nobles seated around them.

“The Duke of Vasteron has placed his full trust in me. With his support, I can provide the best possible education and environment for the child. I assure you that I can raise him with far more virtue and stability than a man who has built his fortune through illegal means and abuses his servants every single day.”

When she finished speaking, silence blanketed the courtroom.

The nobles stared at the priest, each silently taking sides in their hearts, either for Agnes or for Rickman.

This case had captivated them all. Which side would the priest choose?

The priest slowly shook his head, his brows furrowed.

“The testimonies of both parties differ too greatly. It will be necessary to verify the truth. In light of Lady Agnes Everchen’s statement regarding the Count’s questionable assets, an official inquiry shall be conducted. Both of you are required to cooperate sincerely with the investigation. Do not show falsehood before the servants of the goddess.”

Both Rickman and Agnes bowed respectfully, agreeing to comply.

As she lowered her head, a bitter thought crossed Agnes’s mind.

To the goddess, perhaps both she and Rickman were liars.

But if the goddess truly loved her people, she would not allow Noah to remain in pain forever.

* * *

After the trial ended, Agnes said nothing to anyone. She simply accepted Dylan’s escort and stepped into the carriage.

“Are you all right?”

“I am fine.”

Her response came out automatically, but the tremor in her body gave her away.

She tried to smile to lessen the awkwardness.

“I really am fine. I’m only worried about what Noah will think when he hears about what happened in court.”

As she spoke, a sudden realization hit her. There was someone else who might also be displeased by the truth revealed today.

Her eyes widened as she turned toward Dylan. The thought had escaped her entirely. She had been so consumed with fear for Noah that she had forgotten reason altogether.

She immediately tried to kneel on the carriage floor to apologize, but the coachman, unaware, flicked the reins and set the horses in motion.

“Ah…”

She lost balance, and the one who caught her was Dylan.

“I know what you are trying to do, but please, sit down. Let us talk calmly.”

He guided her gently but firmly back to her seat and kept his hand steady on her shoulder until she was safe. Then his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers.

“You are soon to be of the royal family and the only Duchess of the Empire. I do not want my wife to kneel so easily, not even before me.”

His tone carried quiet authority and pride.

Agnes realized her mistake at once.

A man with such pride would never want a wife who lowered herself so easily, even if she was not yet a true partner but merely bound to him by contract.

“I’m sorry. I will be more careful from now on.”

“That is enough. I do not believe you are someone who repeats the same mistake.”

He spoke calmly, yet his gaze urged her to continue speaking.

Agnes found herself respecting him once again.

Rickman had never allowed anyone else to speak in his presence. He wasn’t eloquent or fond of conversation, but he liked to control the table, calling it “the power to command.”

Dylan was different. He spoke little, but his silence carried weight, drawing others to speak willingly.

That was why Agnes always felt nervous whenever she talked to him.

Even under his protection, she sometimes felt small, as though she were standing before something immense and steady.

Taking a quiet breath, she began to explain.

“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. Noah isn’t my biological child. But he is my son. Maybe I didn’t give birth to him, but I raised him for five years. I know this might sound selfish or absurd to you, Your Grace. But I wanted as few people as possible to know that Noah isn’t my blood. Because if too many people knew, then…”

“Agnes.”

Her words were rushing out faster and faster, her breaths uneven.

She wanted to apologize sincerely to Dylan, but all she could think of was Noah. If the boy ever found out the truth, if he realized she wasn’t his real mother, what would happen to him?

“Agnes.”

Dylan grasped her shoulders firmly.

For a moment, she thought she saw his eyes flash red, a frightening illusion that made her spine go rigid.

But when she blinked, they were still the same clear blue.

“Whether Noah is your biological child or not means nothing to me. What I know is that you asked me to save him as part of our agreement.”

His tone was steady and commanding, yet somehow comforting.

“If you did anything wrong, it is only that you didn’t share that information with me. And if I am at fault, it is for failing to earn enough of your trust to make you feel you could.”