How To End This Marriage-Chapter 111: A War of Words and Summons

Seated at the duchess’s customary place, I felt the weight of my newfound responsibilities pressing upon me. It was time to uncover the truth behind my unexpected arrival in Ablia, a realm where I clearly wasn’t welcomed with open arms.

I retrieved a sheet of paper and a quill from the drawer, dipping it in ink to compose a letter. Addressing my father, I poured my thoughts onto the paper:

"Father, it is Bernice, your daughter. I know this may seem premature, but urgent matters compel me to write. I need to understand the circumstances of my sudden marriage to the duchess. Why did you decide on this union so abruptly? The duchess, who never showed any fondness for me, sought my hand in marriage herself. Is there something hidden from me, something I should know?"

"Please, if there is any undisclosed information, reveal it to me. I am desperate for answers."

After sealing the letter in an envelope, I summoned a maid and entrusted her with the task of promptly dispatching it to my father.

"Maid!" I called, and they promptly responded, "Yes, Madam!"

"Take this letter and ensure it reaches my father without delay. I cannot tolerate any delay in delivering this message. Understood?"

"Yes, Madam! It will be done as you said," they replied, leaving to fulfill the task.

Lost in my thoughts, the duke entered the study. "Duke, what brings you here? Do you need something?" I inquired.

"Can’t I come to see my wife?" he offered, using the same worn-out line.

"No, you cannot, for in this study, I am not your wife; you address the duchess," I asserted with a smile.

"Wife!" he insisted.

"If you have something to discuss, Duke, state it. I am willing to listen to any inquiry you may have," I replied.

He began, "So, it is like this." His words were mumbled, but I caught them.

"Alright, then. I am here to provide the entire monthly budget that was previously managed by Mother," he explained.

"Mother used to handle it? Then who took care of the budget when I first arrived, and again the other day? Was it your mother, or was it your recently wedded wife, despite her nosebleed?" I quipped.

"Duchess, I don’t know what happened, but I recognize my mother’s handwriting clearly," he defended while handing over the ledgers.

"How did this happen?" I murmured. The budget now bore her handwriting, not mine.

The entries were drastically different from what I had recorded. "Was she toying with me all along?" I wondered aloud, glancing at the duchess who stood outside the study, smirking. This revelation fueled my anger.

"Yes, it is true that the entries are in your mother’s handwriting, but it is not a lie that I did an excellent job managing the budget, a fact now concealed by your mother," I asserted.

"Duchess, once again, you are accusing my mother! I won’t tolerate disrespect towards her repeatedly," the duke coldly declared, masking his anger.

"Alex, don’t accuse her! I know she is new to handling all of this. I understand her anger. Anyone would be upset with so many responsibilities, and she is just overwhelmed," the duchess entered the study, trying to provoke him more against me.

"No, mother, she has been disrespecting you nonstop, and I cannot tolerate that," he said, making me clench my fist.

"I’m not here to see you two bond. I’m here to manage the household. And mistress, I didn’t allow you to enter the room. Whom did you ask for permission to enter?" I glared at her despite Duke’s anger directed toward me.

"Duchess! This is enough!" he said.

"No, this is not. Just now, you accused me of not doing my work right? Then let’s go and check your mother’s room. I’m sure there would be those ledgers which I had written," I said.

"So now you are on this stage! Duchess, stop this! This is going overboard!" he said.

"No, this is not! I want to check the mistress’s room, and I will do so. You can’t stop me, nor can she. I have the right to do whatever I want. Because you haven’t granted me the divorce right? Or have you forgotten?" I smirked, looking at his angry expression.

"Maids!" I ordered, allowing them to enter the study.

"Yes, madam! What can we do for you?" they obeyed, bowing their heads.

"Please take the mistress to her room and let her show you every corner of the room. I would like to search her room," I asked with a glorious smile on my face.

"Duchess! No!" he pleaded again, but I didn’t stop, following the maids to the duchess’s room. As I entered the room, everything was neatly organized. I turned to her while she glared at me angrily, but I didn’t stop.

"Check every corner of the room and see if there is any type of folder. If you find anything, inform me," I said, waiting at the entrance for the result as the room was searched upside down. Time passed, but nothing was found, making me frustrated.

"Why? What is happening? The files should be found. Where could she hide them other than her room?" I mumbled, biting my nails, and my eyes fell on the duchess, who was smirking at me.

"Madam, I don’t think there is any folder in this room," the maid said.

"See! Are you satisfied? Are you satisfied with the result you got by doing this? How many times have I said not to do such things? You are only ruining your own image in front of me. Why do you have to go to this extent? Why?" Duke shouted at me in front of all the maids.

"I said I’m not lying. The duchess has done something, I’m sure. Believe me!" I said, holding his hand, but he slapped my hand away.

"You are lying, wife! Please accept it!" his face looked hurt.

I hope you find the restructured Chapter helpful:

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"I’m not, and I will prove it one day. It is my promise to you. And that day, you will regret it the most," I said, walking away and pushing his shoulder.

As I walked back to my room, I noticed a messenger in the hall. I stopped, looking at him. I walked downstairs and asked, "What is the news?" getting straight to the point.

"I am here to deliver the news from the emperor to Duke Alexavier Agnes," he said, making me turn toward the duke, who was just behind me.

"What is it?" he asked.

"The emperor has summoned you to come to the palace," the messenger replied.

"Any special reason for the summon?" Duke asked.

"Yes, Duke. The war has occurred, and the emperor needs you there. The war broke out so suddenly that the knights were sent to the battleground without any prior notice, but the condition is not very well, so the battleground needs you," he explained, making me stare at him angrily.

"Why?" I asked.

"What is the meaning of ’why,’ Duchess?" the messenger responded.

"I clearly know you understand the meaning of my ’why,’ and so does the Duke," I said, looking at both.

"If the war has broken out, what is the crown prince doing? Isn’t he going to take over the throne at any moment? Doesn’t he need basic war knowledge? Then why is he not sent to the battleground, but only the knights? Isn’t it an important lesson to be the emperor?" I asked while Duke tried to stop me.

"And the emperor! What is he doing on the throne when he is most needed on the frontline of the battleground?" I continued.

"I am only a messenger, Duchess. I don’t know about such things. I only came here to drop the message I was told to deliver," he said.

"Okay, then you can go now and tell the emperor that he should send the crown prince and himself to the battlefield first, then he can require the Duke’s assistance. Got it? My words are clear and precise, right?" I said, smiling.

"Yes, Duchess! I understand!" he said and left while I turned back to the Duke, who kept glaring at me.

"You didn’t do this right," he said, repeating the same thing once again.

"You yourself don’t know what is wrong and what is right. First, try to understand that, then say something. You have no requirement to be sent to the battleground. I will know when you are required and not. Stop always pushing yourself to the battlefield when it is not even necessary at all. I hope you understand what I am saying," I said, smiling once again.

"Are you aware of my nickname?" he asked.

"Yes, I know. That’s why keep your monstrous side inside. Don’t provoke it to come out when it’s not necessary at all. I hope you understand what I’m saying," I said, smiling once again walking away from the place.