Chapter 267
The spectators’ seats buzzed with the most intense energy since the trial began. Macy’s hands trembled uncontrollably now.
“Miss Horton, am I wrong?”
“…”
“Why so silent? Are you admitting it?”
“I—I…”
She had to deny it somehow. Eren’s secret couldn’t be revealed like this. Macy’s lips were about to part when—
“I never thought you’d drag your family quarrel out here for everyone to see.”
A deep voice cut her off. Though not loud, it carried weight that immediately captured the crowd’s attention.
“So, you cause trouble as soon as you arrive in the capital, Kallen.”
Eren approached Kallen Krygen, standing in the center of the courtroom.
Though Kallen wasn’t short for a man, compared to Eren’s stature, he looked quite small.
Eren tilted his head sideways and whispered darkly,
“Island life hasn’t been too hard on you, has it?”
His sharp gaze settled coldly. Kallen shuddered under an unexplainable pressure but clenched his fists to respond.
“Oh, if this is a misunderstanding, then explain! Both of your bodies bear each other’s names, and the Duke’s body is covered in scars. If you’re so confident, then strip down and prove it!”
“…”
He has the highest noble blood in Obelit. Wealthier and more prestigious than the imperial family itself, the head of the only dukedom.
Everyone bows at his feet, even beyond the empire.
Kallen was telling such a man, in front of so many eyes, to strip down—to prove innocence in the middle of the street like a drunkard in a dark red-light district.
There could be no greater insult.
“Macy Horton is indeed my Name master.”
Eren dismissed Kallen’s ridiculous demand lightly and spoke up.
“That’s right! The Duke admitted the relationship!”
“But ‘Eren Wood’ is not my real name.”
“He says it’s not true!”
Every time Eren spoke, the crowd swung from despair to cheers, creating chaos. Their full attention was on the Duke Krygen.
His skill at moving the empire with a single word remained undeniable.
“It’s funny that I even have to explain this. It’s so obvious, tsk.”
“What does that mean? That she’s your Name master but the name isn’t yours? The rumor that Macy Horton’s Name master is ‘Eren Wood’ is widespread!”
“Have you ever heard that sometimes the Name differs from the real name?”
Kallen flinched.
“The Name is determined by the first word a child recognizes as their own. Sometimes the Name differs from their real name.”
“So, what’s your point?”
“My nanny lost her own child and often called me by her son’s name. Until I grew up quite a bit, I thought that was my name. That’s why my Name manifested as ‘Eren Wood.’”
“Lies…”
Kallen’s eyes shook violently. He swallowed dryly and fought back.
“Then why hide it all this time?”
“The fact that my Name manifested isn’t something to boast about, so there was no need to cause unnecessary trouble. I’m not like some attention-hungry person.”
Though he didn’t name names, it was clear Eren was mocking Kallen. Kallen’s face twisted in fury.
“How do you explain the scars in that painting? You were bedridden, so why so many scars?”
“You wouldn’t understand, but when the pain is unbearable, I sometimes hurt myself without realizing it. Sometimes greater pain is needed to overcome pain.”
“But those are too many scars!”
“As Miss Macy Horton testified, that painting is imaginary. It was exaggerated for effect.”
“Still…”
“If you think I’m not of the Krygen bloodline because of this, maybe you should be a writer. You should know your delusions’ limits.”
Rubens eagerly refuted every word.
“Besides, you’re an adult now—don’t you know what to say and what not to say?”
Kallen’s words faltered.
Eren’s confident attitude and steady gaze showed no trace of doubt or nervousness.
He seemed bored and uninterested in the whole affair.
No matter what Kallen said, he felt he couldn’t win against this giant.
“Then strip!”
But Kallen couldn’t back down. So many eyes were watching, wide open!
If he lost here, it was over.
“If you’re so confident, then strip! Can’t do it? Listen! This man is a fraud! He’s deceiving everyone! A con artist!”
“…”
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