Alpha's replacement bride is destined mate-Chapter 82 It’s Not That Easy to File a Lawsuit
Emily’s comments, made in front of reporters, were swiftly posted online and immediately captured the attention of the Southern royalty. Klaus was summoned by a representative of the southern royal family, who wished to meet with Emily to verify the truth behind her accusation that her stepmother had murdered her mother.
Emily agreed to the request of the Southern royal representatives, and within half an hour, they appeared in the hotel suite where they were staying.
"We were stunned to hear that you intend to accuse your stepmother of murdering your mother," Alan said, sitting opposite Emily. His usually stern face was tinged with nervousness. "King James takes this matter very seriously. So, I want to confirm once again, do you truly wish to prosecute Luna Katherine in a congressional court for the murder of Luna Diane?"
Without hesitation, Emily replied, "Yes."
"I believe you should be aware of the congressional court system. Once Congress becomes involved in the investigation, if they find the defendant innocent, the plaintiff will also face severe consequences." Alan rested his hand on his gold-rimmed glasses, and an uncertain gaze emanated from the clear lenses, directed at Emily. "I wonder if you possess concrete evidence proving that Luna Katherine murdered Luna Diane?"
"Yes," Emily said.
"Do you have both circumstantial and physical evidence?"
Emily hesitated for a moment before saying, "I only have physical evidence."
"Luna Emily, I must remind you that insufficient evidence presented to the court can result in the failure of your lawsuit," Alan said solemnly. "Have you considered the potential consequences you may face?"
"That’s enough," Klaus interjected, who had been sitting silently. "Why don’t you ask her stepmother those questions? A woman who is notorious for her lies has actually accused my wife of murder. I genuinely want to know how the congressional court would punish that woman if she loses the case."
"It’s standard procedure, and of course, we’ll pose the same questions to Luna Katherine," Alan replied, unfazed by Klaus’s tone. He maintained a professional demeanor and spoke calmly. "Given that Luna Emily is the princess of the North, we need to get to the bottom of this. At the same time, the congressional courts will hear the case in a fair and rigorous manner, provided they accept it."
"What does that mean?" Emily asked, looking at the royal representative. "Do you mean that the congressional tribunal might not take up this case?"
"Perhaps," Allen clarified. "You should know that filing a lawsuit in a congressional court is not a straightforward matter. The person initiating the lawsuit must first hold a senior position, and the petition must be signed by at least fifty individuals. The congressional court will only accept the petition if both of these conditions are met."
Emily’s brow furrowed, and she ignored Alan’s second condition. But it didn’t matter; if she had been given a little time, she would have found fifty people to help her sign the lawsuit.
"I have to tell you something," Allen’s voice suddenly lowered. His brow furrowed slightly, and his eyes were intense, as if to convey a message that should not be underestimated. "Luna Katherine has filed her petition in the Congressional Court, and if the Congressional Court hears her case first, they won’t hear yours again."
"Why?" Klaus asked, puzzled.
"This is the principle of non-interchangeable parties," Allen explained. "If Luna Katherine sues Luna Emily for Murder Failed, Luna Emily can no longer file a complaint against Luna Katherine in the Capitol Court. To put it simply, the roles of plaintiff and defendant are not interchangeable."
"What the hell are these ridiculous rules? These are two completely different cases," Klaus said, dissatisfied.
"Let me clarify," Allen said. "If Luna Katherine loses her case, she could be deported. Conversely, if her lawsuit is successful, it will be Luna Emily who will be deported. So, regardless of the outcome, one of them will face severe consequences, and a second lawsuit would be futile."
"I understand. I’ll file a lawsuit with the Congressional Court as soon as possible," Emily spoke in a low, determined tone. She couldn’t let Katherine’s scheme succeed, and she had to ensure her case was heard by the Congressional Court first.
"When is the latest I can file my lawsuit?" Emily asked.
"By Friday," Allen replied calmly and clearly, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, emphasizing the importance of the deadline.
"If the Congressional Court receives two lawsuits simultaneously, they’ll decide which one to hear first based on the severity of the case," Allen explained.
"Which case is more serious, mine or Katherine’s?" Emily asked tentatively, her eyes searching for an answer.
"I’m not sure," Alan said. "But based on your current status, compared to Luna Katherine’s, you may have a more noble position, and perhaps the Congressional Court will prioritize your case."
"Thank you for telling me this," Emily said.
"I’ll inform the king of your lawsuit," Alan said as he stood up, signaling the end of the conversation. "We’ll talk again soon."
After dismissing Alan, Emily’s top priority was finding fifty people to sign her lawsuit. Perhaps she could go out on the street and start canvassing; there were bound to be fifty people willing to help.
"You look tired, lover." Klaus gazed at Emily with concern. "You haven’t eaten yet. Why don’t we go out and grab something to eat?"
"No, Klaus." Anxiety tinged Emily’s voice. "I’m running out of time. I need to file the lawsuit in the Capitol Court by Friday, but I don’t even have a single signature yet."
"It’s easy," Klaus said calmly. "It only takes a little money to get fifty people to sign their names."
"Are you kidding, Klaus? The congressional court will investigate the authenticity of the signatures. If they find out the signatures on the application form were bought, they won’t accept my case." Emily replied. "I need the people who sign the lawsuit application form to be those who actually support me."
"Then let Marx start an online petition and handle it." Klaus stared intently at Emily before adding in a stern tone, "How about you? Would you like to join me for dinner now?"
"Okay, just find a random restaurant near the hotel. I don’t want to go too far." Emily knew she had little room to refuse, so she compromised. "Half an hour at most, alright?"
"No problem."
Emily and Klaus dined at a restaurant next to the hotel. With Emily preoccupied with the lawsuit, Klaus took charge of ordering. But as the waiter placed tray after tray of food on the table, Emily realized it was overflowing.
"Klaus, I can’t eat all that food." Emily surveyed the feast with a mix of exhaustion and frustration in her voice.
Klaus pointed to the four plates in front of Emily. "These are for you, and the rest are mine."
Emily looked at the four plates. Klaus had ordered her a steak, seafood risotto, toast, and smoked salmon—far too much for her to finish. So, she asked Klaus hesitantly, "Can I just eat the bread?"
"No, you need to eat it all," Klaus commanded. "Or I’ll feed you myself."
"Klaus, I’m not a child," Emily reiterated, emphasizing that she didn’t need coddling.
"You’ve been eating too little lately, and you haven’t been getting enough rest," Klaus replied, lowering his head to cut a piece of beef with his knife. He then offered it to Emily’s mouth. "I don’t want my wife to be a skeleton on our wedding day."
"You’re exaggerating," Emily shook her head helplessly.
"Eat the beef," Klaus urged.
Emily reluctantly bit into the piece of beef. When Klaus reached for the knife again, Emily quickly intervened to stop him.
"Klaus, I can eat by myself."
"Alright then, you can eat it yourself." Klaus concluded, giving Emily a subtle wink that hinted he’d be keeping tabs on her.
Eventually, under Klaus’s gentle persuasion and charm, Emily managed to finish her meal. As the dinner came to an end, they exited the restaurant, preparing to head back to the hotel.
As Emily and Klaus were walking back to the hotel, a voice was heard behind her. The sound came through the noisy streets, through the curtain of night, and lightly brushed Emily’s ear. It came like a gentle breeze, with an indescribable familiarity, as if calling to her from the depths of distant memories.
"Emily,Emily." The voice repeated her name, every syllable full of affection and yearning. The sound was so distinct in the darkness that it seemed the only thing that mattered to the night, and it was impossible to ignore it.
Emily turned her head to look, peering through the dim street-lamps, trying to find the source of the sound in the blur of light and shadow. She saw a ghostly figure emerge from the night mist and run toward her. The man moved through the traffic, beckoning to Emily as he called her name, his voice full of eagerness and anxiety.
When Emily finally saw who it was calling, she froze for a few seconds. The man’s face stirred the waves of her memory, and a complex emotion passed swiftly through her heart. As the man was about to reach her, Emily ran up to her eagerly, and they looked at each other with a gleam of mutual recognition in their eyes.
Then they clasped each other as if to make up for lost moments. In the embrace, their heartbeats merged, and each other’s presence became the other’s surest support. At that moment everything around seemed to vanish, and only the two of them remained, united in the still night.
