Chapter 10

After all that has happened, today is finally the day to create the will.

Don't underestimate the will. The grand hall of the castle is filled with people of the Middleton lineage.

In the center, a man with hair like a lion's mane, golden and deep blue eyes, is seated in a prominent chair. His golden hair and blue eyes are a combination that Brian told me is characteristic of the royal family, so I immediately recognized him as the king.

The person in white is the priest, and the one in black is the wizard, so I was told.

Brian and Oliver held my hands as I walked behind the Earl. Paul, dressed in the uniform of the knights, was waiting near the king and winked at me when our eyes met, so I smiled.

"More than half of the people here claim to be Middletons."

Brian whispered this to me, surprised by the large number of people gathered in the hall.

When I felt the urge to use the restroom due to nervousness, a girl I didn't know blocked my way as I came out. She was probably older than me, but the girl in the pink dress was certainly no more than ten years old.

"Are you a Middleton?"

"…Probably."

My answer was weak because I wasn't sure, and the girl in front of me seemed dissatisfied.

"Who are your father and mother?"

"I don't know."

"You're probably a fake."

"I don't know."

The girl, who laughed triumphantly, continued to hassle me, but I remained silent because I didn't know who she was.

"Let me see your hair up close."

I grimaced at the smell of perfume, and the girl in front of me raised an eyebrow.

"I don't like it."

My hair was pulled painfully, but since she was a child, I tried to laugh it off. She suddenly widened her eyes, pushed me away, and left.

"What was that about?"

I didn't understand why she hassled me, but when I came out of the restroom, Brian and Oliver were waiting, looking impatient.

"You're late, Tory. Did you wash your hands properly?"

"Yes, they're sparkling clean."

"Your clothes are wrinkled, and your hair is messy."

Because Oliver's inspection was so strict, I ended up telling them what happened in the restroom.

"Next time, we should go together, even if I can't go into the women's restroom with you."

Brian glanced at the restroom, overprotective as always. He held my hand tightly, and I squeezed back.

When we returned to the hall, I could see the girl in the pink dress at the edge of my vision.

"Now the wizard will distinguish the real Middletons from the fakes."

"Huh?"

"Falsehoods are not allowed in the contract, and this time it's especially important."

I nodded and decided to watch the proceedings. The wizard in black stepped forward.

"I will not accept any objections. Those identified as fakes must leave."

The wizard walked around with a piece of paper, doing something to each person.

"Fake"

"Fake"

"Fake"

"Real"

The hall fell silent, and only the wizard's voice echoed. Some of those identified as fakes complained but eventually left.

The girl who hassled me in the restroom was the only one who persisted.

"No! I'm real. Look at my hair and eyes; they're Middleton."

Seeing this, I suddenly became anxious about whether I was really a Middleton.

"That girl, what about her? She doesn't know her father or mother."

The girl in the pink dress pointed at me angrily, but the wizard shook his head without a word.

As the number of people dwindled, the wizard finally approached me.

It's my turn.

My heart was pounding as the wizard stood in front of me.

"Give me your hand."

I extended my right hand, and his cool hand enveloped mine.

"Press your thumb on the paper."

My thumbprint appeared on the paper, glowing briefly before disappearing. It was indeed magic.

The wizard said one word to my surprise.

"Real."

I sighed in relief. To maintain fairness, Brian, Oliver, the Earl, and Paul also underwent the wizard's identification.

With about fifty people reduced to about twenty, a man entered through the back door.

The moment the man with silver hair and sky-blue eyes entered the hall, the Middleton family members bowed. I quickly followed suit.

"Oh, Mike, it's been a while."

The king's words prompted the man called Mike to speak.

"I am grateful for the preparation of this gathering for the creation of our family's will."

The deep, resonant voice belonged to Mike Middleton, who was creating the will. Despite being sixty-five, he looked much younger, with visible muscles and a sun-tanned, large build.

He certainly had presence, both in his voice and his stance.

Mike Middleton, though retired, still holds significant political influence but rarely appears in public. He lost his wife over twenty years ago and passed his title to his children, traveling around various countries since then.

"Let's proceed with the creation of the will."

"Please wait."

Several women entered the hall. The leader was an elegant older woman, and among the group was Olivia.

I had heard that Middleton spouses would be present for the creation of the will, so I thought they were the Middleton wives, but I was wrong.

"It's the Dowager Empress."

Brian's whisper revealed that the woman leading the group was the Dowager Empress, the king's mother.

"Mother, what brings you here?"

The king seemed surprised by the Dowager Empress's appearance. She responded to his puzzled question.

"I am here to witness the outcome."

Still unconvinced, the king asked again.

"Tory Middleton, come here."

Huh?

Tory Middleton?

I was so surprised to hear my name that I stood there dazed, and everyone was looking at me. The Earl, noticing my confusion, picked me up and carried me to the Dowager Empress. She nodded at me and then moved to the king, whispering something in his ear.

The king, looking startled, thought for a moment and then said.

"We must clarify her birth."

His deep blue eyes narrowed, and I could only manage a forced smile in response. My habit of smiling when nervous came out even in this situation.

The king looked surprised at my reaction.

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