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

Chapter 205 — Shameless

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

The room fell silent once the Emperor said so. Most glares flared at Enzo for even daring to make such a request to the Emperor. However, there was one thing all were curious about: who could have possibly helped him? After all, there were no rumours of Enzo visiting the Emperor privately. And he couldn’t possibly have organized this trial all alone as an omega.

Even if, in Revhara, omegas were given rights, they were not always fulfilled. It was another case that the imperial family were shown otherwise by certain ministers, hiding the truth from them. Some of them were still extremely conservative deep inside.

"You cannot simply say you wish for divorce for the sole reason that you do not love your husband," a noble stated, trying his best to keep a calm composure, although the frown on his face couldn’t be hidden for long.

Charles subtly leaned closer, whispering, "You can never prove your words, my wife. Why are you bothering with this? Let us head home," he grinned.

Enzo remained standing, as if he were the culprit and not the man beside him. Fists clenched, he turned to face the floor before looking up at the Emperor and Empress.

"How am I to love a man who does not treat me as an equal? A man who treats me like an object—" his breath hitched, sensing the glaring gaze of Charles on him as if he would burn him alive. But Enzo was not going to give up. Not when he had done all this to reach here.

"Do you have proof? The court cannot simply listen to your story of neglect and approve this divorce. You have bonded with him. And he is none other than your fated mate," a minister argued, fingers locked with each other.

Enzo inhaled deeply, lowering his gaze for a moment before it flickered upward. It was a struggle to hide the whole truth from Zayden, as he knew his friend wouldn’t let him expose his wounds in the open in front of people who would mock him for it. However, this was the only way.

He began to unbutton his scarlet-red shirt. The crowd filled with whispers in no time.

"What does he think he is doing?!"

"How improper!"

"Shameless..."

"Someone stop him," one of the ministers shouted, shutting his eyes tight.

Zayden’s jaw dropped. His heart sank at the sight before him. Enzo’s thin figure was covered with bruises—not ones from a day or two, but perhaps from years. Years that had not even been tended to properly.

Ren’s eyes widened, his throat burning. For some reason, tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn’t understand why. Or maybe he knew but didn’t want to recall the memories of the past he had buried. Not when he had vowed to himself to live a new life with Zayden and Eiran. He could care less if it came out as selfish.

"Is he a demon... or is his husband the demon in human form?..." A noble murmured in disbelief.

Standing at the center of attention of all those people, Enzo felt nauseous, his stomach twisted in ways he couldn’t quite describe. But he had to remain there, like a piece of art, or an abused omega or a courtesan, and withstand those stares of repulse, pity or lust for the sake of freedom. Maybe he’d lost his mind after staying with a crazy man such as High Priest Charles. Never in his wildest nightmares had he imagined himself doing this—not even when he entered this room.

However, when Charles whispered, "You can never prove anything," he felt his blood boil. Why not? Because he was an omega?

"Oh dear," the Empress finally spoke, breaking the rush of whispers in the hall. All fell silent. Selena rarely spoke up during trials. "Please put your clothes back on. We will proceed with the trial now that we have evidence to prove your words."

Enzo lowered his head before slipping into his shirt once again.

Zayden was still too stunned to speak. Why didn’t Enzo tell him about this? He ran his hand through his hair, shaking his head. His friend was going through so much, and he had no clue. If he had known this before, he wouldn’t have bothered with the trial—he would have simply taken that man’s life.

Ren noticed the shift in Zayden’s movements but chose to keep quiet. There was not much he could say in this matter—not when he had learned of it from Henry and Loti, and not from Enzo himself.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Charles rose from his seat, bowing. "I believe everyone should have the chance to clear their name. Would I not get a chance?"

Zephyr looked at Selene, conflicted over whether or not to let him speak.

"Your Imperial Majesty, you should let him state his side. It is only fair. A bond breaking could cause the death of one of them," a minister stated, voice firm.

Zephyr extended his hand, gesturing for the elderly man to speak.

A faint smile formed on Charles’s lips—the evil kind Enzo was all too aware of.

What was he going to do now?

"I apologize if I hurt any of your feelings," he bowed, gaze on the floor as if he were the victim of all this. Then, he glanced behind at Marquis Valron, forcing a pitiful look on him. "Especially you, Marquis Valron. I know you have raised your son with the love of both a mother and a father, being all alone..." He paused, turning to look at the Emperor. "But Your Imperial Majesty, my wi—my husband is not mentally stable."

Enzo’s heart shuddered. He was... mentally unwell? He almost scoffed. The one mentally unwell among the two of them was Charles, not him!

Before he could speak, a minister began, eyes filled with interest and amusement.

"Is that so? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean..." Charles pretended to hesitate, hand flying to his mouth to cover his smirk. "My husband tends to hurt himself..."