The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 624

Chapter 624: Lucian Rainier

The Royal Court buzzed with shocking whispers as the crowd absorbed the newcomer’s claim. Regan Wynter, once the lord of the north part of the northeast territory, was presumed dead along with his family. Yet here stood a man claiming to be his son.

Luis could hardly believe his ears. He had ensured the annihilation of both the Wynter and Rainier families, so how could this one have survived?

"Are you the son of Regan?" Ailwin asked again, scrutinizing Alex’s appearance. "The little boy I met during my visit to the Northeast?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Alex replied calmly, suppressing his seething hatred for Luis in the presence of the King.

"I am regretful for what happened to your family, but I am glad to see you here," Ailwin said. "You resemble your father so closely that no one could doubt you are his son."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Alex Perryl, now Aaron Wynter, bowed respectfully.

Arlan continued, "Your Majesty, I have compiled a list of all the ministers and noble families from this kingdom who have been aiding Luis for the past two decades. It details all the illegal activities and the gold he has accumulated."

Luis nearly collapsed, realizing he was utterly exposed. He knew he wouldn’t leave the royal court unscathed today. The other ministers involved with Luis silently prayed that their names weren’t on that list, knowing that otherwise, they wouldn’t be going home but to prison instead, with their families facing uncertain fates.

The King and a few trusted ministers examined the documents while Arlan made another announcement. "Your Majesty, there is someone else I wish to introduce to this royal court, the very person whose actions forced Luis to come to the capital."

"Forced to come to the kingdom?" Ailwin raised an eyebrow.

Luis, taken aback, looked at the Prince. "So those repeated attacks and thefts were orchestrated by you as well?"

"I am sad to disappoint you, Luis, but I am not the one who looted all that gold from you," Arlan declared. "You should know that after hurting so many people, you do not lack enemies. I thought I would end you in the Northeast after collecting all this proof, but fortunately, you came to my territory, making things easier for me. All of this is thanks to one person who terrified you with his bold and smart moves. Not fearing the power you held, he went against you head-on, and you could do nothing but watch your wealth being looted."

"Introduce that person to us, Prince Arlan," Ailwin spoke. "I am eager to meet another capable individual who helped this kingdom against a traitor."

"Lucian Rainier," Arlan announced.

A tall, aloof young man, clad in dark clothes, entered the royal court, drawing every gaze. Among the surprised faces were Oriana, Erin, and her father, while her brother appeared unsurprised.

Oriana felt like she was dreaming. "It’s not Luke, right?" she looked at Arlan, who offered a light nod, assuring her she was seeing correctly.

Erin, initially surprised, quickly regained her composure. She had always suspected Luke and realized her doubts were justified. He had a hidden purpose, and now she knew what it was. He too had a grudge against Luis, but why?

She glanced at her brother, father, and elder brother, then to Rafal. Her father was astonished, but her brother wasn’t. Euron gave her a knowing smile, while Rafal’s expression indicated he already knew.

Luke’s gaze met with Oriana’s shocked one, but he kept his calm. He could guess the shock she was feeling at this moment, but he had nothing to explain and had no regret of hiding it from her. _{freewebnøvel.coɱ}

"And he was in our home, doing menial work? He is Lord Rainier’s son," Lord Ahren questioned, baffled.

"Do not feel bad, Father. It helped him disguise himself. See, none of us ever suspected him," Euron reassured. "We have been helping him unknowingly."

"Lucian Rainier?" Ailwin said, "As far as I remember, Colin had only one child, a son, and he was barely a year old back then."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Luke, now revealed as Lucian Rainier, answered. "I was saved by the servants working in my mother’s residence. A husband and wife took me away."

"You were killed," Luis interjected, "that boy was killed, and I saw his body with my own eyes. You are lying and trying to claim to be him, taking advantage of the situation to gain power and wealth."

Luke turned to Luis, his gaze cold. "I wish that was me you killed that day. The child you killed was the servant’s child. That couple sacrificed their own child to protect me." His grip tightened on the handle of his sword, his tone menacing. "If not for the respect I have for the royal court and His Majesty, I swear, I would kill you right now, the same way you killed that child."

"But seeing him here like this, all powerless, is not bad either," Alex said to Luke. "Once his crimes are declared, we will take him back to the Northeast and kill him in the same place where he destroyed our families. Let him spout nonsense for a while longer."

Hearing Alex, Luke calmed down. He had been holding back for so long; a little more waiting wouldn’t hurt.

Oriana now understood why Arlan had said there were others waiting to exact their revenge, working towards it for a long time. She realized that their entire families had been killed by Luis. Their grief and anger were no less than hers. Once they were done with Luis, she would make sure to drag his soul to the depths of hell, to let his soul be tormented till eternity.