He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 144

144. Eviction Lawsuit (2)

As Michael Kelly identified himself on the witness stand, Wilson, the barrister, began his argument.

“Esteemed Judge, and members of the jury!

It is common knowledge that the birth of a life involves not only the father’s presence but also the mother’s blood. Therefore, one may resemble the father more in appearance, or the mother more.

As you can see, Mr. Michael Kelly, standing in the witness box, and Lord Leo bear a striking resemblance.

Why is that? Their mothers are sisters, and they simply resemble their mother’s side more than their father’s.

In other words, Lord Leo, who has inherited more of his mother’s blood in terms of appearance, may look different from the Duke’s family.

Thus, to argue that he is not of the Duke’s lineage based solely on appearance, which is nothing more than a natural phenomenon, is utterly absurd.”

Wilson sought the judge’s permission and walked over to a middle-aged white woman sitting in the witness box.

“Could you please state your name and your relationship to the plaintiff?”

“My name is Melody. I used to work as a maid in the Bentley Edwards Duke’s household when he was alive.”

“I see. Then you must remember the maid who left the house with Lord Dylan Edwards back then?”

“Of course. Katrina and I were inseparable since childhood. We ate together, slept together, and shared all our worries, so I remember her well.”

“Then, do you see any resemblance between Lord Leo Edwards, sitting over there, and Katrina?”

Melody nodded vigorously.

“Yes, yes! It’s not just a resemblance. His cool eyes, the way he frowns, even the shape of his straight nose and the alignment of his teeth are exactly like Katrina’s.

So, the moment I saw Lord Leo Edwards sitting in the courtroom, I recognized him as Katrina’s son at first glance.”

“From what I hear, you seem to know more about what happened between Lord Dylan and Katrina than anyone else?”

“Yes! Of course. I witnessed the entire process of Katrina and Master Dylan’s relationship from the beginning until the moment they left the house. Master Dylan truly loved Katrina. When the possibility of harm to Katrina’s safety grew, they ran away together.”

“What kind of danger was Katrina in at the time?”

“One day, Katrina sensed that she was pregnant with Master Dylan’s child and was terrified.

She cried every night, fearing that if the pregnancy was discovered, Duke Bentley, with his stern nature, would eliminate both her and the child.”

The jury and the audience stirred.

Turning back, Wilson, the barrister, addressed the court.

“Esteemed Judge, and members of the jury! According to the testimony of Mrs. Melody, the plaintiff, Lord Leo Edwards, shares a striking resemblance with Katrina, who was pregnant with his father, Lord Dylan’s child.

Isn’t this clear evidence that Lord Leo is Lord Dylan’s son?”

Alan, the barrister, immediately retorted.

“No! My point is not merely that he looks different from the Edwards family! Even the objective investigation by experts concludes that Lord Leo Edwards, sitting in the plaintiff’s seat, is not a member of this family at all! Moreover, there are numerous witnesses and evidence that can indirectly prove this.

Above all, there is no clear public evidence that Lord Dylan married and had a son! There are only people’s speculations and rumors.

If we are to take such rumors as evidence, there are even more rumors that the maid Katrina was promiscuous and had a child with another man!”

Wilson, the barrister, retorted with a dumbfounded expression.

“How strange? We, on the other hand, have plenty of circumstantial evidence that Lord Leo Edwards is indeed the real son. Look at the witness box. Doesn’t it seem that we have two or three times more witnesses than the defendant, who claims to have numerous pieces of evidence?”

The audience burst into laughter at Wilson’s sarcastic remark.

Wilson raised his voice again towards Judge Brown.

“Esteemed Judge! It is true, as Barrister Alan says, that there are no official records of Lord Dylan and Katrina’s marriage and childbirth. A major fire broke out in the Liverpool parish, which was in charge of marriage and birth records, and all official documents were destroyed as a result.

Therefore, I request the testimony of witnesses who can testify that Lord Dylan Edwards, the plaintiff Lord Leo’s father, held his wedding and had Leo in Liverpool.”

“So be it.”

With the judge’s permission, several witnesses came out of the witness box and were sworn in.

A middle-aged man in his early 50s with a round face and glasses stood in the witness box first.

“What was your relationship with Lord Dylan Edwards, and how did you come to know him?”

“Yes, my name is Samuel Baker, and I work at a bank in Liverpool. A friend of mine introduced me to Lord Dylan Edwards back then.”

At that time, Liverpool was a major slave trade port and one of the busiest trading ports in the world, actively dealing in sugar, tobacco, cotton, and more.

As a result, many banks and insurance companies were established to manage the risks associated with trade.

“Did Mr. Baker know that Lord Dylan was the eldest son of the Duke’s family?”

Baker shook his head.

“I had no idea. Back then, my friend only mentioned that Lord Dylan was from a noble family, and there was no specific mention, so I couldn’t have known.

However, he was worried about his wife, who was about to give birth, so I introduced him to a suitable midwife and a house to stay in for a while.”

Wilson, the barrister, nodded and asked.

“So, Mr. Baker, you not only saw Lord Dylan staying in Liverpool with a pregnant woman who appeared to be his wife but also found a place for them to live for the time being?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Does that pregnant woman resemble the plaintiff, Lord Leo Edwards?”

“I remember she was tall and blonde, but I honestly don’t remember if they resembled each other. It was too long ago.”

“Did Lord Dylan’s wife ever act vulgar or have scandalous rumors?”

“No. I only knew her as a noble. She was quite a virtuous lady.”

Wilson turned to the jury and spoke as if explaining the situation.

“In the end, it has been confirmed that Lord Dylan stayed in Liverpool with his pregnant wife before leaving for North America, and he even found a house for the child who was about to be born. Then, Mrs. Ariel Gibson?”

At Wilson’s call, Mrs. Ariel Gibson, who was standing in the witness box, raised her head.

“You were the one who attended to Lord Dylan’s pregnant wife right next to her when she had her wedding at the church, weren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right. I followed her all day.”

“There must have been many weddings at the church during that time, so how can you remember the Dylan couple, who only lived there for half a year and left, even after more than a decade?”

“It was the first time I had ever seen a couple so happy to be married, even though she was heavily pregnant. Besides, she was an unforgettable beauty and a very polite lady. After the wedding, I often met her in the neighborhood for tea until she gave birth. That’s why I remember her so well.”

“You remember her because she was very beautiful? Then, in Mrs. Gibson’s opinion, does Lord Leo, sitting over there, resemble the pregnant bride at the time?”

“Yes, they look very much alike.”

Wilson, the barrister, turned to the murmuring jury and opened his mouth.

“Now, as it is now, extramarital pregnancy was subject to severe social scorn and neglect at that time. In particular, if a child was born before the formal marriage was recognized, the born child was treated as illegitimate.

That’s why Lord Dylan rushed to the church to get married before the child was born.

If she was a promiscuous woman, as Barrister Alan says, would Lord Dylan have bothered to have a wedding for a woman who might be pregnant with someone else’s child? While cherishing and being so happy with each other.”

Judge Brown adjusted his glasses and asked Mrs. Gibson.

“Witness?”

“Yes.”

“In your opinion, did the two of them really seem to care for each other and make every effort to bless the child to be born at the time of the wedding?”

Judges in this era could participate more actively in trials than in modern courts, such as directly participating in witness questioning or leading fact-finding processes.

“Of course. It’s not like I’ve only done one or two weddings, so I can tell at a glance. They were really terribly caring for each other, and when their son was born later, they were so happy that I can still see it clearly. Honestly, I’ve never seen a couple who loved each other so much.

But, for those beautiful people to have passed away so early without even seeing their son grow up so wonderfully….”

The courtroom became solemn at Mrs. Gibson’s sudden sob. She seemed to be caught up in emotion after reading Logan’s novel.

As the courtroom atmosphere leaned favorably towards Lord Leo, Alan, the barrister, hurriedly drew his hidden sword [made a desperate move].

“Judge! Emotional appeals based on uncertain facts are rampant in this sacred courtroom!

Without a single public document on marriage and childbirth, and completely ignoring thorough objective evidence, the dire consequences of perjury and false tears from witnesses who may have been bribed… as a lawyer who defends justice, I cannot help but be truly afraid!

Therefore, I request the testimony of an objective witness who can give a definitive answer as to whether Lord Dylan’s marriage and the birth of his son really occurred!”

As Judge Brown’s approval fell, an old man sitting in the witness box stood up with difficulty.

The person being supported as he walked to the witness box appeared to be a priest of the Church of England, judging by his attire.

“Witness, please identify yourself.”

“I am… Father Henry King, currently… a priest in London. At the time this issue arose… I was in charge of the Liverpool regional parish.”

“Father Henry King! So, you are saying that you were in charge of officiating all the weddings in Liverpool at the time Lord Dylan Edwards’ wedding was held?”

“That’s right. At that time… weddings… and even baptisms related to the born child… I handled them all… all.”

The priest’s faint voice trembled, and his right hand periodically twitched, showing tic symptoms.

Tae-oh’s eyes sparkled.

It was the appearance of an early dementia patient that he had often seen when he was working at the hospital as a clinical psychologist.

‘His symptoms have worsened since I saw him a month ago. Even considering his age, those gait and pronunciation problems, and the tic disorder… it’s likely Alzheimer’s. Moreover, his symptoms seem to be entering the severe stage.’

Alzheimer’s disease was the most common degenerative brain disease that causes dementia, but it was not yet accurately known in the 18th century.

Barrister Alan asked triumphantly.

“Father, the plaintiff is now claiming that Lord Dylan Edwards was married and had a child in Liverpool, but all official documents related to it were lost due to a fire in the local parish.

However, it seems to me that they are using the fire as an excuse to claim a wedding and childbirth that never happened.

Then, at this point, the most important circumstantial evidence is the invaluable testimony of the priest who directly oversaw the wedding.

In this solemn and sacred place, I would like you to tell us, with your noble and truthful mouth, whether a person named Dylan Edwards held a wedding at that time or not.

Since the bride was pregnant and said to be beautiful enough to be remembered, I believe she may remain in your memory.”

Father Henry King, who had been staring blankly into the air for a moment, opened his mouth weakly.

“In my memory… there is no memory of a wedding between a person named Dylan Edwards and… a pregnant woman… at all.”

Low sighs flowed from the jury and the audience at King’s words.

Mrs. Gibson, who had been involved in the wedding at the time, shook her head in disbelief.

Tae-oh was carefully observing the movement of King’s pupils.

And he quickly realized that he was lying. He probably received a request from Duke Garrett.

‘King still remembers Dylan Edwards’ affair and is making a false statement.’

However, the weight of the words coming from an 18th-century clergyman was enormous.

In an era when the words of a clergyman who received divine revelation were accepted as clear facts without falsehood.

The power of public credibility accepted in court was incomparable to that of ordinary people.

Tae-oh quietly called Wilson, the barrister, who was in trouble. And he asked for a chance to testify.

Meanwhile, Alan, the barrister, smiled triumphantly at the jury and persuaded them.

“As you can see, the priest, who has received sacred pronouncements, has clearly stated that Lord Dylan Edwards’ wedding did not take place at the time. What more evidence is needed?”

At that moment, Wilson, the barrister, requested the judge.

“I request another witness regarding this matter.”

Soon, the judge’s approval fell, and Wilson loudly called out Tae-oh.

“Sir Theo Sanderson! Please come to the witness box.”

As the name of the suddenly famous person Theo Sanderson was called, the courtroom buzzed.

Not only Alan, the barrister, but also Duke Garrett’s eyes flashed as he looked at Tae-oh.

Tae-oh, who had finished swearing in as a witness, asked King a question.

“Father King? I visited you a month ago because of something related to Lord Dylan, do you remember?”

In a modern courtroom, this kind of question from a witness would not be tolerated.

But now it’s the 18th century. Since legal procedures were not yet complete, such questions were possible unless the judge intervened.

King was very embarrassed by Tae-oh’s sudden question.

“…I think I remember seeing you a while ago… or maybe not… hmm… so many people come to see me that I’m blinking [confused].”

It was a lie. His pupils showed that he was trying to remember but failing.

In the case of early Alzheimer’s patients, recent information is easily forgotten, while old memories are quite clear.

So, when asked such questions, they become embarrassed and avoid them, or sometimes lie to hide their memory loss.

Tae-oh smiled and nodded.

“How strange? When I visited you then and asked if you remembered Lord Dylan, didn’t you get very angry and push me out without hesitation, causing me to fall? The scar on your forehead now was also caused by falling that day, don’t you really remember?”

King touched the scar on his forehead and looked even more embarrassed.

“Well… I don’t remember such trivial things….”

“Is that so? It’s too trivial to forget, but you were very angry that day, and you bled a little. Many people around were worried too.”

“Ah! Now that I think about it… it seems like it… or maybe not….”

People murmured at the priest’s rambling appearance.

“I’m sorry, but I think you have memory errors due to your age.

But, if you don’t remember even these relatively recent events accurately, will you really remember Lord Dylan’s wedding from a dozen years ago clearly? I suspect that you are not lying, but that you have forgotten the facts due to memory loss.”

King, who suddenly became angry when he heard about his age. And he put emotion into his small voice and raised his voice.

“Hey, what are you talking about? I may have aged, but my memory is still good! I remember everything clearly, even things from 30 years ago. Of course, the memory that Lord Dylan’s wedding did not take place is also clear! Ask me anything else! I remember everything!”

The priest was definitely lying.

His expression, pupils, and gestures strongly indicated that Dylan Edwards’ wedding had taken place.

It was clear that he had been bribed by Duke Garrett.

“Father, there’s no need to be so angry. Not only you, but everyone here, including me, will inevitably have weakened memories as we get older. It’s just one of the natural aging phenomena.”

“Oh! That’s not it!”

People in the 18th century, who did not properly understand dementia caused by Alzheimer’s, would think that if they could not remember things from the near past, they would naturally not remember things from the distant past.

But the truth was different. In the case of early Alzheimer’s patients, old memories are often clear, while recent memories are often unclear.

Tae-oh, who knew this fact better than anyone else as a clinical psychologist.

However, he was deliberately inducing the appearance that King’s memory had serious problems in front of the judge and the jury.

He cleverly used King’s illness to make his false statement meaningless.

Judge Brown, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, took the bait.

“Father King? Isn’t your church near Westminster Abbey? Were you okay in the spring? What were you doing then?”

This spring, London was in great turmoil due to General Howe’s rebellion [a historical uprising].

Judge Brown knew that King had been stranded in the chaos at the time.

But he was a priest who hardly remembered recent events.

“This spring? Hmm, hmm… Yes. I participated in Mass in London as usual… well… I did.”

“What? You attended Mass this spring?”

“Of course. Mass is my duty given to me by God.”

London was devastated by the rebellion this spring. Of course, normal Mass was impossible.

There was murmuring everywhere.

The jury also looked at each other and exchanged glances.

Judge Brown, with a stern expression, shook his head.

“Yes, I understand. Father and Sir Sanderson, please return to your seats.”

While Tae-oh and the priest were returning to their seats, there was a heated debate in the audience.

-No, how can a priest who can’t remember things from a few months ago properly remember things from a dozen years ago?

-I agree. It doesn’t make sense.

-But would a priest lie? He said he didn’t remember what he didn’t remember earlier.

-Don’t you know if you just look at him? He’s too old now and he’s blinking, so how can he remember Lord Dylan’s old affair?

Duke Garrett’s face, who had been watching the priest’s testimony, darkened considerably.

Alan, the barrister, quickly applied to the judge for another witness.

“Esteemed Judge! I will set up another person who directly assisted the priest at the time.”

“So be it.”

* * *

Since there was no clear official evidence, the tedious arguments between the plaintiff and the defendant continued, and different testimonies fiercely conflicted over the same issue.

Eventually, cross-examination of witnesses was conducted, but the jury’s concerns only deepened.

The trial ended late in the afternoon, with a final verdict scheduled for two weeks later.