Chapter 52………………………………………

Riena wasn’t the only one who regained composure because of her.

“Everyone, my client wishes to apologize on behalf of Cassius’ minor lord, who the witness serves under.”

“I apologize for the trouble caused.”

Liandro lowered himself humbly and then looked at me with those slick eyes.

“Madam, I am sorry. I had no idea you suffered such humiliation. I have no excuse; I am a failure as a husband. But please, give me just one chance. I will apologize as many times as needed, in any way, until your anger subsides.”

Next, he turned to the judge.

“I hereby declare in this court: the head maid, Marianne Noire, is dismissed as of today. Moreover, if the lady wishes, I will consider letting go of all other staff in the castle.”

Ah, damn it.

“I swear on all my status. Should I fail to keep this promise, I am willing to forfeit not only my position as heir but also the castle of Cassius itself.”

The judge flinched.

“Are you sure? Public oaths carry legal weight.”

“I am sure. Whatever happens, I will uphold it.”

Somehow, the more I rejected him coldly, the more I would appear as the bad person.

“Your Honor! The defendant was unaware of what was happening in his own house. Trying to fix it now…”

Sharon argued vigorously, but the advantage that had disappeared was not returning easily.

“Certainly, the defendant has committed a wrongdoing.”

Parell tried to press the point.

“However, everyone makes mistakes. What matters is whether one acknowledges them and ensures they never happen again.”

His attitude was completely different from before, showing no trace of aggression—just a sincere attempt to speak honestly.

“I have reviewed every divorce trial since the founding of the nation.”

My goodness… all of them? Even with few divorces, that was no small number.

“In all those trials, the most important factor was the possibility of restoring the relationship. The defendant committed no inhumane acts like adultery, assault, or verbal abuse. Economically, he also provided adequately for the plaintiff.”

The lawyer pleaded.

“Please, give the defendant a chance. I beg you.”

“Hmm.”

The judge remained silent for a moment, then spoke to me.

“Plaintiff, the defendant has spoken his piece; opportunities should be equal. If you have something to say, now is the time.”

I looked at Liandro. Something I wanted to say…

‘You insane man. Like a leech, you just won’t let go. What did I do in a past life to deserve this? Don’t give me those deer eyes. I could smack you right now.’

But I couldn’t just say what was on my mind. How could I buy time with words?

After endless deliberation, the only way to turn this unfavorable situation around was the butler.

‘Terrence…’

Would he come? Even if he had rescued the butler, it was uncertain whether he could arrive in time. Perhaps this was the end.

‘No.’

I chose to believe. Terrence would bring the butler. He said he would.

It was strange, but thinking of him brought peace. What I had to do now was clear: trust him and wait.

“Liandro, my mind hasn’t changed. I want a divorce. Attorney Phillips said our relationship could be restored, but he’s wrong. My trust in you is broken. Nothing can undo that.”

“Madam…”

“And yet, if you cling to me in the name of love and refuse to let me go, that is violence. If you truly love me, you must let me be happy.”

Just as I was thinking what more to say, a tapping sound caught my attention.

“What’s that?”

People glanced toward the source. At the end of their gaze was a massive door.

Someone was knocking at the courtroom door. It was obvious who it was. Sharon shouted urgently.

“Your Honor! We request a new witness!”

The judge’s eyes widened.

“Now?”

“Yes!”

“But everyone on the witness stand has already testified once.”

“This is a new witness.”

“Unfortunately, there is no time to summon a new witness…”

“This person is right outside that door.”

“It’s sudden. Most of the matters in the complaint have already been discussed.”

Sharon stepped forward, considering the judge seemed unwilling to prolong the trial due to fatigue.

“There’s no law requiring everything to be in the complaint. Doing so would expose all our cards to the other side.”

“Hmm, that’s true. This isn’t a major violation of rules, so I will allow the new witness.”

The judge ordered the officer guarding the door to open it.

“It’s a futile effort. His Majesty won’t let this trial drag on.”

Liandro muttered, thinking we were just stalling to postpone the trial.

Parell added, “It would be a burden for the judge too.”

Yet both of them couldn’t help but stare in shock at the person walking into the courtroom.

But the first to react was someone else.

“Kaaiiiden!”

The Duke of Cassius in the gallery leapt up, roaring.

“Why are you here?!”

The butler walked calmly to the stand, contrasting sharply with him. He removed his hat and bowed politely to the judge.

“Greetings. I am Kaiden Moremo, appearing as a witness.”

The judge, bewildered by the Duke’s unusual reaction, responded belatedly.

“Oh, yes. Welcome. As you were summoned suddenly, I have no prior information about you.”

Normally, a witness must submit a witness request in advance. If a new witness is summoned mid-trial, the trial must be postponed to another day to submit it. But we had not submitted a request for the butler, as some Cassius affiliates might be court staff.

Sharon had recommended not submitting it, expecting the judge would exercise discretion. The prediction was correct.

“Please briefly introduce yourself as a witness.”

“I have served as the head butler at Cassius Castle for over twenty years. I have closely observed the marriage of the Viscount and Edel.”

“I see, as the head butler… wait, head butler?”

“Yes.”

“You served as the head butler in the Cassius household?”

“And you are appearing as a witness for the plaintiff?”

“Yes.”

“Well, this is quite surprising.”

The person most shocked was someone else.

“Kaiden! How dare you!”

The Duke of Cassius, still standing, shouted, veins bulging, face red with unprecedented anger.

“Father, calm down!”

Riena tried to intervene, but the Duke didn’t hear his daughter.

“You betrayed me! Where have you been all this time?!”

The judge, unable to tolerate it, warned him.

“Duke of Cassius, this is a trial. Please remain calm.”

“Answer me! Did that woman manipulate you?!”

Despite shouting so loudly, the butler didn’t even flinch—truly remarkable.

Eventually, the judge exploded. Even noble families have limits.

“Edmund Cassius! And Lady Riena Cassius! You are ordered to leave! Out immediately!”

Even Riena, who had previously caused a commotion and passed safely, was forced to leave.

“Kaiden! Answer me!”

The officers reluctantly approached the Duke, as he refused to leave.

“Your Grace, you must not do this.”

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

Even the mighty Duke had to obey the judge in court; otherwise, the officers would enforce it.

“I will not let go! You dare touch my daughter? Do you want to die?!”

It was chaos.

“Father, please.”

“Let’s leave. Yes? You’re too worked up.”

Riena and Rehaim finally calmed the Duke and guided him to the door.

“Kaiden…”

The Duke could not take his eyes off the butler until he exited with his daughter. Rehaim returned alone shortly after.

“Shall we begin witness examination?”

“Wait!”

Parell, still stunned by the butler’s appearance, interjected.

“Your Honor! Kaiden Moremo disappeared without a trace a few days ago. It’s suspected he was kidnapped by hostile forces of the Cassius household.”

Whatever the butler testified, it would be extremely unfavorable for Liandro.

“If that’s true, is he able to testify now…”

“Your Honor, do you see any issue with the witness’s ability to testify?”

“No. He seems slightly tired, but his health appears normal.”

Parell’s efforts were in vain.

The butler stood straight, eyes clearer than I had ever seen.

“I was not kidnapped. I left Cassius Castle of my own accord.”

Liandro’s shoulders shook.

“Sir, why…?”

Shocked, but the butler did not look at Liandro. Unfortunately, it was now Sharon’s turn to question.

“Witness, could you first describe what you observed of the plaintiff and defendant’s married life?”

“The lady, no… Edel seemed unhappy. Everyone at Cassius Castle, except for Laura, treated her as a temporary guest. Even the Viscount and I included.”

Though similar in context to Laura’s testimony, the weight behind it was different—deeper. Decades of service to the Cassius family carried that weight.

“When she first arrived, she was lively, but gradually her energy faded.”

Sharon asked about the staff’s treatment toward me and my isolation in the household.

“She was never treated as the mistress of the house. Quite different from the previous Duchess. The Viscount was aware of the situation. I repeatedly informed him.”

The butler carefully gave answers favorable to me.

“How did the defendant react to the witness’s account?”

“He said not to worry, he would handle it himself.”

Parell stepped forward.

“Your Honor, this has already been stated. My client admitted fault and promised to dismiss the staff.”

Confident in his assessment that the butler’s testimony added nothing new, Parell’s face relaxed.

“No further witness examination is necessary.”

“That makes sense.”

“No, not yet.”

Sharon shook her finger.

“In fact, we have yet to reveal one major reason for divorce.”

“Excuse me? Another issue?”

“Yes. Kaiden Moremo is here to testify about it.”

“Your Honor, this is a waste of time. Everything in the complaint has been sufficiently discussed.”

“As I said earlier, there’s no obligation to include everything in the complaint.”

The judge nodded.

“Very well. Please proceed.”

“That is…”

Sharon glanced meaningfully at Liandro before speaking.

“I am hesitant to speak here. The matter could severely damage someone’s reputation. Therefore, we request a private session for the trial.”

“P-Private?”

“Yes. Divorce trials are normally public, but exceptions can allow a closed session, correct?”

The judge fiddled with his beard, looking perplexed.

“But to suddenly request that…”

Impossible, given the circumstances and the judge’s attitude.

Parell muttered under his breath, amused.

“So this was just stalling tactics.”

He apparently judged this was all a desperate way to buy time.

“Your Honor, we oppose the plaintiff’s request. This trial is public interest. A closed session would only raise suspicious rumors.”

“Are you sure?”

“What did you say?”

“The possibility of severely damaging someone’s reputation?”

Parell scoffed.

“Just know this: the Cassius household fears nothing.”

“Are you sure about that?”

In the tense standoff between lawyers, the judge made his decision.

“Denied. The plaintiff’s argument alone does not justify a private session.”

“Unfortunate. We had no wish for this situation.”

“So, what is this serious reason for divorce?”

“The plaintiff, having experienced it vividly for the past two years, will reveal it personally.”

The butler stepped back from the stand. I rose and walked forward.

The attention of those present was sharper than when I sat in the plaintiff’s seat. Standing here for the first time made me slightly nervous.

“My husband…”

And because of what I was about to say…

“My husband, Liandro Cassius, has a significant issue with producing an heir.”