Chapter 4

On the platform, Devlin stood with his hands behind his back, clad in a smart, body-fitting black robe. His expression was so stormy it almost blended with his robe. Behind him stood several grim-faced elders of the Dragon Clan.

Below the platform was a dense wall, comprising dozens of dragons in their human forms, who were on their knees. Despite their human forms, the blue-green dragon aura that emanated from them was unmistakable.

These were all the adult blue-green dragons of the Dragon Clan.

At this moment, they all knelt there in humiliation, like prisoners awaiting trial.

This was downright humiliating! This spectacle wasn't just to humiliate me, but it also thoroughly trampled the dignity of the entire blue-green dragon branch.

It was clear that Devlin would stop at nothing to preserve his dignity.

I climbed up the platform carefully with Inigo in my arms.

Every step felt like walking on the edge of a knife. Those stares and whispers turned into an invisible pressure, closing in from all sides.

I could feel Inigo fidgeting uneasily in my arms. It seemed he, too, sensed the hostility radiating from the world around us.

I lowered my head, kissed his forehead, and soothed him using my divine energy. "Don't be afraid, Mother is here."

I walked to the center of the platform and stopped three steps away from Devlin.

I didn't look at him, nor at the elders, but calmly surveyed the thousands of clansmen below.

Finally, my gaze settled on the kneeling blue-green dragons.

I saw the deep humiliation and unspoken resentment in their eyes.

In my previous life, I was immersed in my own sorrow and shame. I had never cared about their feelings. But now, I knew very well that they were the force I could derive my strength from.

Devlin became impatient when he saw me still standing upright. He didn't want to see me in this infuriatingly calm state. What he wanted to see was my complete breakdown, my pleas, and my repentance.

He stepped forward and announced in a chilly voice that reverberated through the coliseum, "Idaia, I'm giving you one last chance. Tell me who that adulterer is! I might spare you some dignity out of consideration for our years of marriage!"

I sneered inwardly at the mention of the word "dignity." In my previous life, the only semblance of dignity he showed me was a cup of poisoned wine as I watched helplessly while he killed my son.

I looked into his eyes, brimming with rage, and began to speak with great deliberation.

My voice wasn't loud, but using dragon magic, I was able to convey my message clearly to everyone's ears.

"Your Highness, I have only three things to say. First, I, Idaia Arden, have never betrayed you, nor have I ever betrayed the Dragon Clan.

"Second, the child in my arms is named Inigo. He is your flesh and blood, Devlin, and your one and only legitimate heir."

The moment I finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

Devlin's face instantly turned a deep shade of red, and he roared, "You are still in denial!"

I ignored him and continued, “Third, you summoned the entire clan today to humiliate me, my child, and also dozens of blue-green kinsmen below. Such behavior is totally unbecoming of a crown prince. In fact, it is more like the behavior of a lunatic blinded by rage.”

"Impudent!" A fiery-tempered elder slammed his fist on the table. Then he pointed at me and shouted, "Idaia Arden! Do you know who you're talking to? You gave birth to a monstrous offspring, and instead of reflecting on your own faults, you had the nerve to slander His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Slander him?" I gave a bitter laugh filled with condescension. "Great Elder, please open your eyes wide and have a good look. His Highness said I had an affair with a blue-green dragon. Well then, all the blue-green dragons in this city are here. You can test them."

I held Inigo in my arms, stepped forward, and revealed his tiny body to everyone's view.

Following this, I proclaimed loudly, "Today, I'll let you see the truth for yourselves so that there's no doubt left in anyone's mind!

"If you can prove he's related to any of the blue-green dragons down there, I will end my own life right here, no questions asked!

"But what if the tests yield nothing…"

At this point, I stared at Devlin and asked pointedly, "Your Highness, how do you intend to answer for it?"

My words were like a resounding slap in Devlin's face.

He probably never imagined that I, who was always so docile, would dare to question him so brazenly in such a public place.

His face ran the gamut of different shades of red as he became more incensed. It looked as though he was going to tear me to shreds right there and then.

"Good! Very good indeed!" Devlin snarled through gritted teeth. "Since you won't admit your mistake unless you are taught a hard lesson, then I'll crush your hopes once and for all today!"

With an imperious wave of his hand, he barked at the officiating court official, “Begin!”