Moonlight Ball - Chapter 171

“It’s strange.”

Things are going too well, aren’t they? Although she found it puzzling, Ruth’s philosophy was to embrace the rolling wave of luck. She didn’t need to ask any further questions. Courtlan En Samain confirmed it. He claimed she was his daughter. Who would dare ask when someone said their own daughter was theirs?

“Oh, I see. We’re doing well without letting up our efforts.”

Ruth shrugged and resumed her position. It was not exactly a spot; it was a hastily arranged seat by the court staff.

“No more questions.”

“We’re doing fine, aren’t we?”

The lawyers from the palace side quickly nodded in agreement.

A lawyer from Martop stood up. He had a face that seemed both puzzled and congested, with a slightly reddened nose.

“Iris Rosemary?!”

“The witness,”

Martop, didn’t show courtesy to anyone outside the royal family. Therefore, Martop’s magician followed the same code of conduct, but the one he was dealing with was Count Samain. His staff sliced through the air menacingly, causing the startled Martop lawyer to step back.

“Your Grace, proceed.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Avoiding a lunatic, are they? People said that, but Count Samain was a filthy and fearsome lunatic. He had spent years in the dungeon, but now he seemed refreshed as if he had just come out of a temple, and naturally, his body moved as if he were in his realm of free will. He carried the staff not for mobility reasons but as a weapon; that much was clear.

“Your Grace, forgive me for venturing to ask once more.”

“It would be better not to ask if it’s venturing.”

“Is it really His Excellency’s child?”

“Are you blind? Is there anyone else who looks like that except my daughter?”

Unintentionally, Martop’s lawyer turned around. The Queen, who had been conversing with Ruth da Rossa, happened to raise her head and look at him. It felt as if her blue eyes were trying to suck him in.

Oh, my mind is all over the place.

He shook his head slightly and redirected his gaze to the Count.

“I am speaking about matters of the soul.”

“Of course. Say it clearer than ever. She inherited Railan’s soul. She’s my daughter.”

Are you dragging that lunatic in, Your Highness? Even if you want to win so badly, do you have to drag in that crazy guy?

Elaine’s eyes were frightening as she spoke about things that shouldn’t be touched, even in a war. Sidrain was dumbfounded and had to blink.

Did I just drag in that lunatic? Have I lost my mind? Have I gone mad, lost my soul?

Then Elaine’s eyes softened a bit.

As a knight, no one would’ve wanted to provoke that lunatic. He might be on our side today, but he might not be tomorrow. And that lunatic is precisely the one who…

“Your Highness, despite not remembering anything about His Excellency, are you saying this?”

“You wouldn’t disown your daughter just because she has amnesia, would you? Doesn’t that bring shame as a father?”

“Your Grace, that’s not what I meant!”

“Explain how that’s any different from what you meant.”

Kourtlan, sitting leisurely, gazed at her, who was seated some distance away. No matter how you looked at her, she was the spitting image of Raelan. Her brilliance and audacity were on full display. In stark contrast to Rosemary’s vague gaze, Iris’s eyes were sharp and resolute.

…And she bore another child.

Again.

“Your Grace, are you familiar with Iris Elaine?”

“She grew up as the princess of Martop, she’s my princess. I don’t understand what the problem is.”

“Your Grace, are you not aware of Iris Elaine? How can you claim her as your child when you know nothing about her soul?”

“She must have been my lost child.”

Ah, that must be it. My lost child’s soul must have been trapped in a wretched place. And the two of them must have met and returned to their rightful place. Surely it must be that way.

It’s no wonder he couldn’t understand. Lady Railan staked her life to give birth to her, and all that came out was Rosemary. For a filthy, mundane woman like her, it’s absurd. Yes, she should be like that. That’s my daughter.

Railan, you risked your life.

It should be at least like that. Finally, he had found his daughter.

“My child’s soul must have lost its way and found its place again. I firmly believe that Iris Elaine is my ‘complete child.’ What’s the problem?”

“Your Grace, if that’s the case, then the previous child…”

“That soul was not my child’s.”

A rumble of protest spread. That lunatic bastard! Someone stood up and shouted. A graceful and intellectual-looking woman, Elena En Sethang. She was a close friend of Railan En Samain, which was why she harbored a long-standing dislike for Courtlan.

“Sit down.”

“But, Clarence!”

“Quickly!”

Clarence hurriedly got his wife seated. He knew well that Elena lost her reason whenever the name of her deceased friend was mentioned. He took Elena’s hand and reassured her that it was alright.

Elena despised Rosemary. She ridiculed her for not being able to keep up even with the dust from her friend’s toenails, considering her friend had risked her life to give birth. But Elena had never denied Rosemary outright. Rosemary was Railan’s child. The child Railan had risked her life to bring into the world. Even if that child was nothing more than human trash!

“What you’re saying, Your Grace, is that you’re denying the previous Rosemary?”

Martop’s lawyer inquired.

“That’s about right.”

“That woman was nothing at all. The only thing she excelled at was dying.”

Samain burst into laughter. Suddenly, Martop’s lawyer turned his head towards the judge’s stand.

“In that case, it means that Rosmary in Samain was not the true heir of Samain. Therefore, this marriage is invalid, and the current position of Her Majesty the Queen is also void!”

Martop’s lawyer quickly looked at Count Samein.

“There are no objections, Your Grace?”