Chapter 116

Violet

The court erupted into hushed whispers.

My lawyer nodded. "Let's move on to the document in question, shall we?"

He pulled up the document that Lucas's lawyers had shown with more forged signature.

"Is this a forgery?"

"Yes."

"How can you tell?"

She clicked and brought up the actual Twining River Budget Proposal's signature page. The difference between the two seals used was obvious.

“The letterhead on the forged document is not correct as you can see. It's missing the filing codes that have to be on the documents for proper storage in the mainframe. In addition, the seal is in the wrong ink as you can see.”

Lucas’s lead attorney scoffed. “A different ink color doesn’t change the legitimacy of the document.”

Lily shook her head. “The Darkmoon stamp doesn’t use ink. It’s a magical tool."

Another wave of murmurs swept through the room.

Owen exhaled sharply, clearly displeased. “The court will dismiss the video footage as evidence.”

Lucas stiffened, but Owen continued, “However, the document itself will remain in consideration, as there is no definitive proof that Luna Violet did not simply authorize someone else to use her seal.”

Lucas exhaled slowly, then smirked.

He thought he was winning.

I sat back, schooling my features as my lawyer thanked Lily and had her step down.

"With your leave," my lawyer said looking at the High Priest. "We'll be calling out next expert witness to speak about the stamp in particular."

He smiled and nodded.

Owen scowled. "There is no expert you could have with the credentials to satisfy the standards of this court."

“We call Alpha Violet Donovan to the stand.”

I rose from my seat and made my way to the stand. I took the seat and glanced across the room. Theodore’s gaze was steady, unwavering, and full of warmth. The band on his forehead flickered with light.

Once I was seated, my lead attorney spoke clearly, “Ms. Donovan would like to submit herself to truth stone testimony.”

Owen didn’t even hesitate. “Denied.”

“I request to submit to truth stone testimony," I said.

Owen’s expression darkened. “You--"

“Her credentials for the record,” my lawyer said, reaching back to take a thick stack of documents from Theodore's hand. I smiled, charmed at how thick it was. I wondered if Theodore had thumbed though it.

I watched Owen open it, glaring down at the paperwork. The documents on top were from this country, but the glowing pages were from across the border. I was impressed. The documents had been immaculately prepared, bearing official translations, government seals, and even the temple’s authentication from across the border.

Theodore had been leaning faster than I thought to be able to get all my records officially translated and here so quickly. He winked at me and wiggled his eyebrows.

Owen continued to sort through the documents, scanning them furiously. His fingers curled against the paper, but he could find no grounds to reject them. Judging from the way the judges all looked as they read though my credentials, they had nothing to say either.

Owen exhaled sharply. “Fine. She will be allowed to testify under the truth stone—but only in relation to her magical knowledge.”

It was such an obvious means to try and keep me quiet and keep my testimony from overriding anything anyone else had to say or present.

The truth stone wouldn't let me lie. Even if I didn't consciously know the answer, I would give it. I took the truth stone in hand. A familiar warmth spread through me.

Before my attorney could speak, Owen turned to Lucas’s legal team. “You may proceed.”

Petty and childish.

Lucas’s lawyer paced in front of the stand, his expression sharp and calculated. “Ms. Donovan--"

"Master."

He blinked. "What?"

"In my capacity as an expert on magical technology, the proper mode of address is Master," I smiled sweetly. "Though I will accept this country's version: Doctor."

His lips twitched. "While you may hold certifications in magical technology, isn’t it true that you misrepresented yourself to my client about your schooling?”

“No.” Not that it had any relevance.

The lawyer leaned in slightly, eager. “Are you saying my client was fully aware of your true qualifications when you married him?”

“Of course,” I said smoothly. “Lucas frequently relied on my knowledge. He asked me to help draft infrastructure plans for Twining River, the budget for which I was signing in that video." His lips twitched. "He was also aware of every recertification or increased certification test I took because he often acted as my proxy for events so that I could take them.”

The lawyer stiffened. He recovered quickly.

“Then tell us, as a magical expert, what exactly do you offer in relation to this case?”

“The noble seal of every noble house is and has always been a magical tool that is use-bound to three things: the Estate, the family’s bloodline, and the family’s official registration documents held by the International Court.” I let the information sink in before continuing. “Every alpha’s seal is distinct as in each successor’s seal differs from their predecessor’s. My seal is completely different from my father’s and neither could we have used each other's seals even when he was alive.”

Owen’s expression darkened as he realized where this was going.

“No one, of Donovan blood or not, can use my seal except for me."

"You're saying that Alpha Lucas wouldn't have been able to either?"

"No."

"Isn't that because you refused it?"

I blinked and looked at Owen. "I was under the impression I was meant to be an expert witness on magical technology only?"

He worked his jaw and glared. "Answer the question."

I shrugged and looked at him. "No, that's not true."

"You expect us to believe that he didn't want his own seal?"

"To desire something is one thing. He said he wanted it, but he never consented to going through the process to get a seal of proper standard for Darkmoon's laws made." I smiled. "And before you ask, yes. It does require a magical oath of fealty, service, honor, and integrity."

He flushed and cleared his throat. "I wasn't going to ask you that."

I blinked at him and waited. He scowled.

"And with regards to the seal, how can you be so sure it is a forgery rather than a photocopy?"

"Typically, a noble's seal can be photocopied, but the appearance of that seal would appear complete in form and with a certification. I had my seal made with updted security features do to the other work I do as it is my personal seal. If photocopied, a portion of the glyphs on my seal would not appear. In place of them there would be a color change in the linework, a certification, and a slightly different configuration coded with the information about the document. My seal is vastly different from any previous Alpha Donovan, which used to only photocopy with the certification.”

A stunned silence filled the courtroom.

Lucas’s lawyer paled, his lips pressing into a thin line. Owen’s fingers curled into a fist, his frustration barely concealed.

After a long beat, Owen finally asked, “Do your lawyers have any further questions for you?”

My lead attorney didn't stand, adjusting his cufflinks with a small, satisfied smile. “Not at this time, Your Majesty.”

I stepped down, and my lawyer got to his feet.

“We now call upon His Eminence, the High Priest to explain the certified record regarding Lucas and Nora’s mate test.”

The High Priest looked positively gleeful as he got down and made his way to the stand. He took his seat, the truth stone placed in his palm, not that he needed it given his vows. The courtroom watched in tense anticipation.

“High Priest,” my attorney began, “can you confirm the legitimacy of this document?” “Yes. This is an official temple record, sealed and signed by my hand.”

“And what does it mean for Lucas’s marriage to my client?”

The priest’s expression was solemn. “Given that the temple had a hand in the marriage contract for Lady Donovan's marriage, the emphasis on them being mates before marriage, it means that Lucas married Violet Donovan under false pretenses, knowing that his true mate was someone else. A fact that would have been revealed had they had a confirmation ceremony or been married in the temple the way her parents had been.” He turned his gaze to Owen. “By the laws of our faith and the kingdom, a marriage entered under such deception is automatically rendered void.”

Gasps erupted around the room. Lucas looked as though he’d been struck.

My attorney pressed forward. “And what does that mean for any claims Lucas has to my client’s estate?”

"Under temple law, he has none. It was never a valid marriage. I believe under secular law, anything he gained from the marriage must be returned… though how that will work between the two packs, I'm not sure.”

Lucas’s face drained of color, and even Owen looked momentarily at a loss.

Owen’s lips pressed together.

He exhaled sharply. “Very well. The court rules in favor of Violet Donovan. The forced rejection will take place this afternoon at the temple near the palace.”