[BL] Alpha, You've Got the Wrong Mate!

Chapter 204 — Court Will Decide

"Dad, when are you marrying Papa?"

Zayden almost choked on his food, coughing uncontrollably.

Once he had calmed down, he looked up at his son sitting across from him on the couch, a book in his hands.

"Wait... Why are you even asking that?" he asked, wrapping his fingers around the rim of the glass before draining the water inside.

"Well, look at this book! In the end, they said they loved each other and got married. And they even have a cute son—like me!" Eiran smiled brightly, his eyes glimmering.

Zayden blinked, his jaw slightly dropped, speechless.

Why does this child love reading so much?!

He didn’t know how to react. Every day, this boy somehow found new ways to expand his knowledge. The worst was when he finished an entire history book in three days. Even his younger self hadn’t been that smart, leaving Zayden to wonder who Eiran had inherited it from—Ren or his late mate.

"Dad!" Eiran tugged at his sleeve to catch his attention.

Zayden smiled, raising his eyebrows.

"What is it?"

"You didn’t answer my question."

"I don’t know... I need some time..."

After all, today was Enzo’s divorce trial, scheduled for ten in the morning. He looked up at the clock—it was nine. Just one more hour. Rising from his seat, he walked over to the boy and tapped his head twice, careful not to mess up the hair Eiran cherished so much.

"I need to go."

Eiran looked up and nodded once.

"Will Papa go with you?"

"...I will have to ask for his opinion," Zayden said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. He had yet to try Leon’s advice, replaying in his mind, "listen to Ren’s wishes instead of deciding for him."

And just as he expected, when he opened the door to Ren’s room, he found the omega already dressed—wearing a black shirt that fit perfectly around his broad frame, silver hair neatly combed back. He was clearly ready to go.

Zayden didn’t need to ask, yet he did.

"Do you want to go to Enzo’s trial?"

Ren nodded, his gaze unwavering. There was something in his eyes that Zayden noticed—but couldn’t wrap his mind around. He could only hope things went smoothly at the Imperial Court.

***

The grand hall of the imperial court was silent—only the sound of chairs being pulled echoed, one after another.

Sunlight swept through the stained glass windows, splintering into shards of color across the polished marble floor. White pillars stood tall, and the heavy scent of incense lingered, mingling with the faint perfume of the nobles.

At the center, the ministers sat in two neat rows, their faces composed but tense. Beyond them, the Emperor’s expression was unreadable, while the Empress reclined slightly in her seat, chin resting on her hand, her sharp eyes flicking over the crowd with quiet amusement.

Zayden’s hands rested on the chair’s armrests as he looked at Ren, who kept glancing around as if searching for someone.

"Are you looking for someone?" he asked, leaning slightly closer to the omega’s neck.

Ren flinched as if caught doing something he shouldn’t. He shook his head too quickly, almost defensively.

Before Zayden could say anything else, the lead minister stepped forward, his voice spreading across the hall.

"This court has gathered today to discuss the divorce of Enzo Valron and High Priest Charles of Hianshu."

Murmurs spread through the nobles immediately—gasps, exclamations, whispers. The reactions came all at once, all too different. But there was one opinion that remained common: They were against it.

"We can’t!" a man in the crowd exclaimed, standing abruptly. "This will ruin the peace with Hianshu!"

Another voice rose from the back. A woman this time. "The Temple has signed a peace treaty with the Empire only recently! This will only invite chaos!"

Zayden’s eyes narrowed slightly, a frown forming on his face. He had expected a strong reaction, but this was beyond what he anticipated.

To the point that they would outright refuse...

He sighed, rubbing his finger against the corner of his forehead

Enzo sat one row ahead, glancing behind him, his face wrinkled with worry.

Charles gritted his teeth. He had been kept unaware of this case. His gaze flared with fury at Enzo—if a glance could kill, he would have taken the man’s life right then.

How could he...?

He clenched his fists tightly. He was told to attend a trial. He saw this moment to be fit to announce his departure but...

Sensing the shift in his husband’s gaze, Enzo subtly shifted to the other side, distancing himself further.

The Emperor exhaled, rubbing his temples. He knew the ministers and nobles would act this way.

"Peace is not held together by a marriage," he said, his tone cold yet sharp. "If Enzo Valron seeks to dissolve the union, the court will hear his reasoning."

The murmurs softened, though the air still felt heavy, almost suffocating. Some nobles muttered reluctantly, while others continued whispering, shaking their heads in disbelief. They couldn’t believe the Emperor was even considering this—which could result in war with Hianshu.

Zayden’s gaze flicked toward the defendants. Enzo sat rigid, jaw clenched, eyes sharp but resolute.

Across from him, Charles remained quiet, posture straight, expression serene—a man who still believed nothing could touch him.

The minister gestured toward Enzo.

"Lord Enzo, you may state your case."

The omega rose gracefully, locking eyes with each and every person in the hall. His voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable weight.

"I do not wish to remain bound to a man who does not love me."

The words fell like thunder in the silent hall.

Nobles froze mid-breath. Even the Empress lowered her gaze, lips curving faintly as if she had expected this.

A young noble whispered in panic, "It cannot be... this divorce... the consequences—!"

"Your Imperial Majesty!" another exclaimed. "Hianshu will take offense. Peace will be jeopardized!"

"And in political—"

The Emperor raised a hand, cutting the room’s rising panic.

"The court will decide based on the law of the Empire and the will of the people involved, not anything else. Let us proceed."