Chapter 102 LEGAL BATTLE BEGINS
Lucian’s Pov
I sat at my desk reviewing the final version of the custody petition that Attorney Sarah had prepared. It was comprehensive and thorough and I believed it would be nearly impossible for anyone to argue against it.
The petition was fifty pages long and outlined every piece of evidence we had gathered to support Celestia’s claim to her son. I read through it one more time to make sure everything was perfect before we filed it with the tribunal.
Every sentence felt heavy with consequence. Dates, testimonies, financial trails, medical records—all of it had to be precise. One mistake could unravel months of work. I paused often, checking names and signatures, knowing this document was not just paperwork. It was Celestia’s last shield against doubt and her strongest weapon to reclaim what was taken.
"Is it ready?" Celestia asked from where she was sitting across from me.
"Almost. I am just reviewing the final section to make sure we did not miss anything," I said.
"Read it to me. I want to hear what it says," Celestia said.
I nodded and began reading from the document.
"Section one. DNA evidence proving biological parentage. We have submitted DNA test results comparing samples from Celestia taken five years ago on the night of delivery with samples from the minor child known as Asher. The results show a 99.9 percent probability of biological parentage. This evidence is irrefutable and proves conclusively that Celestia is the biological mother of the child," I read.
"Good. That is the most important part. Everything else builds on that," Celestia said.
"Section two. Evidence of wrongful exile based on fabricated testimony. We have submitted the full confession of Dr Samara Lake who admitted to falsifying medical records at the direction of Eclipse. We have submitted bank records proving Eclipse paid Dr Lake over two hundred thousand dollars to provide false testimony. We have submitted the original medical records that prove Celestia gave birth to a living child who was then taken from her. This evidence proves that Celestia's exile was based entirely on lies and fabricated evidence," I continued.
"Will the tribunal accept Dr Lake's testimony even though she was part of the conspiracy?" Celestia asked.
"Yes. She has been granted immunity in exchange for her truthful testimony. The tribunal will give significant weight to her confession especially since it is corroborated by documentary evidence like the bank statements and original medical records," I said.
"What is section three?" Celestia asked.
"Section three. Documentation of the child's declining health under current custodians versus improvement after contact with biological mother. This section is important because it shows that Asher's health and wellbeing are directly connected to his relationship with you," I said.
I flipped to that section and began reading the details.
"We have medical records showing that Asher's health has been declining over the past year under the care of Alpha Raphael and Luna Medea. His blood condition has worsened and he has required more frequent transfusions. His emotional state has also deteriorated, with doctors noting he appears depressed and withdrawn," I read, my voice steady despite the tension in the room.
"These documents detail missed appointments, delayed treatments, and multiple instances where critical care instructions were ignored or poorly followed. Mental health reports show increased anxiety, withdrawal from social interaction, and signs of fear or confusion regarding his caregivers. Combined, the physical and emotional evidence paints a clear picture of neglect and mismanagement, demonstrating the urgent need for custody to be transferred to Celestia, who has consistently prioritized his well-being and safety."
"And after I saw him?" Celestia asked quietly.
"We have a sworn statement from Nurse Sarah who works in the medical wing. She states that after Asher had brief contact with you during the blessing ceremony his emotional state temporarily improved. He was more alert and responsive. He talked about you constantly and expressed a desire to see you again. This shows that connection with his biological mother has a positive effect on his wellbeing," I said.
Celestia's eyes filled with tears and I stopped reading.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"Yes. I am fine. Keep reading. I need to hear all of it," Celestia said.
"Section four. Testimony regarding emotional neglect. We have statements from multiple servants and medical staff who work in the pack house. They describe how Asher is kept isolated in the medical wing with limited contact with Alpha Raphael and Luna Medea. They state that Medea rarely visits Asher and when she does visit she seems uncomfortable and eager to leave. They state that Raphael visits more frequently but his visits are brief and he seems unsure how to interact with the child," I read.
"Asher told me he feels alone. He said nobody really cares about him except the nurses. That breaks my heart," Celestia said.
"I know. And that testimony is powerful. It shows that even though Raphael and Medea have been raising Asher for five years they have not provided him with the emotional support and love he needs," I said.
"Is there more?" Celestia asked.
"Yes. We also included statements from pack members who observed Medea’s behavior toward Asher. Multiple witnesses state that Medea seems to view Asher as a burden rather than a child she loves. They describe how she complains about his medical expenses and how she avoids spending time with him. This paints a picture of neglect and lack of genuine maternal feeling," I said, my voice steady despite the weight of the words.
"These statements are corroborated by medical staff who noticed her indifference and reluctance during appointments. There are also records showing she frequently delegated care to others, often leaving Asher without proper supervision. All of this supports the claim that her interest in the child is minimal and self-serving, highlighting the urgency of restoring custody to someone who genuinely cares for his well-being."
"Additionally, eyewitness accounts from household staff and extended pack members indicate repeated neglect and emotional detachment. Incidents of leaving Asher unattended during critical medical situations were documented, and complaints about his care were routinely ignored. This pattern of behavior demonstrates a consistent inability to prioritize the child’s health and safety, reinforcing the argument that immediate and full custody by Celestia is not just warranted, but necessary for his physical and emotional protection."
"Good. I want the tribunal to understand that Asher has not been properly cared for. That he deserves better than what he has been given," Celestia said.
"The final section is our formal request for relief. We are asking the tribunal to grant you immediate full custody of Asher with no visitation rights for Alpha Raphael or Luna Medea. We are asking that Asher be removed from Brazen Pack territory and placed in your care effective immediately upon the tribunal's ruling," I said.
"No visitation rights at all? Is that not too harsh?" Celestia asked.
"You can modify that request if you wish. But my recommendation is to ask for no visitation initially. Once you have custody and Asher is settled you can always choose to allow supervised visits if you think it would benefit him. But starting with no visitation gives you maximum control over the situation," I said.
Celestia thought about that for a moment.
"Raphael has been raising Asher for five years. He probably does love him in his own way. But I do not trust him. I do not trust that he would not try to turn Asher against me or confuse him about who his real mother is. So yes. No visitation rights. At least not initially," Celestia said, her voice firm, unwavering despite the tears in her eyes.
"I want Asher to feel safe, to have stability. I want him to know he belongs with me without doubt or manipulation. Once he is settled, once he understands the truth fully, we can discuss a controlled introduction if it’s necessary. But right now, I cannot risk his emotional well-being. Nothing—no law, no tradition—is more important than ensuring my son feels secure and loved."
"Then that is what we will request. Are you ready for me to file this petition?" I asked.
"Yes. File it. The sooner we get this process started the sooner I can bring my son home," Celestia said.
I watched as my assistant carefully took the petition and secured it in an envelope marked for the tribunal. Every step felt heavy with consequence, but necessary. The weight of five years of lies, stolen time, and fractured lives rested on that single document. Celestia’s hands trembled slightly as she let go of the pen, her eyes filled with hope and fear. We both knew that once it was filed, there was no turning back. The next step would determine the fate of her son—and finally bring justice for the truth we had fought so hard to uncover.
"File this with the tribunal immediately. Request the earliest possible hearing date," I said.
"Yes Your Majesty," my assistant said and he left the room.