Chapter 10
Andria had persuaded the Azbeck Marquis’s wife well, for she soon returned to me, insisting she wanted a divorce. After that, everything seemed to flow smoothly.
But when the Marquis entered the courtroom, he wore an expression of complete confidence, as if he would never lose this case.
Something about him felt off. There’s something hidden, but I can’t tell what it is.
Shortly after the trial began, his hidden confidence became apparent. Divorce trials were different from ordinary public cases. Because these were personal matters, even family members needed permission to enter.
Though many wished to attend, no one was allowed entry. The courthouse outside buzzed with curiosity.
“What a disgrace to the family.”
“Why, now worried? You?”
The Marquis complained, while the Marquis’s wife calmly tilted the corners of her lips.
“Worry? I have none. It’s just annoying to have to be here for such nonsense.”
The judge entered, the same one from Iz’s divorce case. He smiled faintly at me and took his seat.
“We will begin the divorce trial between Tella Azbeck, Marquis, and Lily Azbeck, Marchioness.”
The Marquis’s wife immediately expressed her intentions firmly.
“I, Lily Azbeck, wish for a divorce. I hope it will be done amicably, without a messy fight.”
“Amicably? After everything I’ve provided for you, now you want a divorce?”
The Marquis was aggressive, though no one else was present. He raised his voice:
“You think the term ‘divorce’ is funny? I haven’t abused anyone like other men! Where is a man this perfect?”
The judge let the conversation flow freely at first, though in this hierarchical society, a Marquis ranked higher than a judge.
The argument continued, the couple trading accusations.
“Had it not been for me, where would you have lived as a noblewoman? Now some divorce lawyer appears and stirs nonsense!”
“Do not insult Rabiel. I am divorcing because I can no longer endure. Yes, your wealth made life comfortable, but it blackened my heart to ashes.”
“What did I do wrong? I earned money, gave you everything you wanted!”
“The problem… your countless affairs. From leaving the bed to flirting with maids, bringing other women to the terrace—this is the issue.”
The Marquis gestured angrily.
“A woman raising her voice! Who said you could?!”
“Must all women be understood and forgiven?!”
“Who said I had to understand? You can’t divorce me anyway. You’re just giving useless statements.”
“Then bring evidence! Anything showing me with other women, flirting with maids. Any proof will do!”
At that moment, Andria and the five children entered the courtroom.
The judge, initially displeased with the interruption, nodded when told they were witnesses.
“Welcome.”
The Marquis assumed the children would side with him and stood proudly.
“Father.”
He believed adults would testify for him, observing disputes or one-sided suffering.
‘He must think his children will naturally support him.’
Andria and the siblings walked toward us, not their father. The Marquis gaped in disbelief.
“What are you doing? Andria, you should side with me! I made you a Marquis, how can you go there?”
The Marquis’s wife ignored him, seating each child.
“When I inherit the Marquis title, there’s no clause forcing us to side with Father.”
“I… I…!”
“I will side with Mother, even if our secrets are revealed.”
“Hah… you side with your mother after I gave you a comfortable life?!”
“This is not about sides. This is about telling the truth. Father, control yourself.”
The proud Marquis’s expression crumbled. His confidence had been in assuming the children would support him, but reality disagreed.
“So what? You think your testimony changes anything?”
“At least we can testify to what Father has done.”
“Judge, this is all coordinated. They’re only saying it because Mother told them to. No need to listen to this nonsense!”
“Unfortunately, the testimony of children is strong unless refuted with evidence, Marquis Azbeck.”
“This is impossible! They’re conspiring with my wife to divorce me and take alimony!”
The judge shook his head.
“Be mindful, Marquis Azbeck. Misbehavior in court can lead to expulsion. As the party involved, you may not testify.”
“Mother has kept a secret for us. That’s why she considered giving up the divorce. But now, we will speak. We are all different from each other. Contrary to public perception, Father has been with other women from the day he married.”
“No!”
“We saw it growing up. Grandmother told Mother to care for us even if we weren’t her children, and we saw her being beaten and verbally abused out of our sight.”
“Delusion!”
No one paid attention to the Marquis’s baseless objections.
“Still, Mother cared for us with love, to the point we didn’t realize she wasn’t our biological mother. We can testify that Father was with other women.”
“It’s true, I took other women. But that’s because my wife was wicked! Any man seeks comfort elsewhere. That’s why!”
The Marquis’s wife scoffed.
“Judge, isn’t that illogical? If she’s wicked, why wouldn’t the Marquis divorce her?”
“Again with women yammering.”
