How To End This Marriage-Chapter 129: Entangled Ambitions

The sound of concern echoed through my room. "Duchess, are you alright?" I heard from the other side of my door. I hurriedly opened it to find Crown Prince Maximus standing outside, his face downcast.

"Prince, what are you doing here at this early morning?" I inquired.

"I should have come here yesterday, but I didn’t get the chance, so I’m here to apologize for what happened," the prince explained, making me chuckle.

"You’re here to apologize? Then let me do something to accept your apology. Is that okay?" I suggested.

"What is it, Duchess?" he asked.

"You don’t have to care about your reputation, right? Then we are all set," I declared.

"But let me know first!" he requested, but I held his shoulder, circling my hand in his, and started walking down the corridor as if nothing unusual was transpiring.

"Duchess, are you trying to make a scandal?" he finally questioned.

"Yes, if my name is connected with you, then at least some will come forward to help us, just like how the princess is getting help, right?" I replied.

"Is that what you want?" he asked.

"I just want revenge. I don’t care if it means I will get the duke or not. My life won’t revolve around him anymore. The way I was humiliated yesterday, now I will make them humiliate the one who took everything from me," I asserted, looking straight ahead.

"Duchess, you might get hate," he warned.

"Am I not getting hate now?" I retorted, and we continued, overhearing people gossiping.

"Isn’t she the one accused yesterday of being with the duke? What is this? She is publicly holding hands with the prince? What is going on?" one maid speculated.

"Is she cheating on the duke with the prince?" another one questioned, making me chuckle almost.

"Duchess, this doesn’t sound funny. They are insulting you," the prince remarked.

"I know. Let them be. But there will be a time when I will get to speak, just like yesterday, and then I will let them taste their own words," I declared as we approached the center of the palace, near the princess’s room.

"Duchess, you’re here all of a sudden?" the princess appeared at the right time.

"Can’t I be here as I want?" I retorted.

"No, you can be here as you want. But I thought you must be crying in your room for what happened yesterday," she said, smiling.

"And brother, didn’t I say I will now play the game openly? So, here we are. You went against me for this woman, so let’s do this," she smirked, looking at us.

"Yeah, Princess, I’m too aware of what happened last night, and I think you made my way clearer," I stated.

"I think Mother has told you. No, I mean the Duchess, right?" I said, smirking.

"What? What do you want to say?" the princess hesitated.

"That we had a deal. If you take the duke, I will gladly take the prince. Isn’t it such a great choice? You will no longer be a part of the royal family, just like the duchess is no longer the daughter of the princess. And I will be the crown prince—no more Duchess. Such a nice opportunity, right?" I asked, smirking at her.

"You and brother?" she said angrily.

"Yes, Princess, remember to call me sister-in-law, as once I give him the divorce paper, I will arrive here. Then no one can stop me from doing what I want. I will make your life hell," I declared, watching her grit her teeth in anger.

"You can never do that! Do you think I will let it happen?" Princess exclaimed with pride.

"Who asked for your permission, princess? If the prince wants it, is he you? Are you both the same person? No, I guess. Then how could you think you can do what you want, and the prince will just stand by and not let me do what I want?" I retorted, moving closer to her.

"Yesterday, the war started by you, but today I will be the one participating in that war and give you a checkmate. Then nothing will belong to you—neither the duke’s love nor the title of royalty," I declared, smirking as I walked forward, holding the prince’s hand once again.

However, Duke appeared in front of me.

"Greetings, Duke! I didn’t know you were the one who came to meet the princess this early morning," I greeted with a smile.

"Wife? What are you doing here?" he asked, as per usual, more focused on questioning my actions than explaining his.

"What? Can’t you see? I’m on a stroll with the prince," I said, smiling at the prince who returned the gesture.

"Wife, let us talk!" Duke insisted, trying to come closer.

"What? Can’t you see I’m busy? Have some patience, Duke. I’m only on a stroll with the prince; I’m not making love with him that you’re so impatient," I smirked, noticing his clenched fist.

"Remember what I said, Alex!" the prince warned.

"Once you don’t acknowledge the duchess, you can never stop me from getting what I want. So sign the divorce papers soon and hand them over because I don’t want my lover to be called your wife any longer," the prince asserted.

"Maximus, don’t you dare utter a word from your mouth, or I will pull that tongue of yours. I won’t be bothered to care that you are the prince of the empire," Duke threatened, gripping the prince’s collar.

"Leave him alone!" I intervened.

"How do you even dare to hold him like that? Who the hell gave you permission to touch him so carelessly? When you do things with the princess, did I once utter anything? Why are you messing with my relationship?" I raised my voice, drawing attention from the gathering crowd.

"Wife, I’m your husband!" he declared.

"You were! Not anymore!" I stated firmly, aware of the onlookers.

"People are watching, so don’t make any more scenes here. Let me enjoy my time with him. I don’t want to see you ruining my mood and time," I declared, walking away, leaving the crowd behind.

"Duchess, I don’t think you should have said things like that to him," the prince remarked.

"Whatever I said is better to make everyone believe I’m going to steal the crown from them. Then they will take action to change their minds," I explained to the prince.

"If they don’t?" he asked.

"If they don’t, then I may plan something even worse," I said, maintaining a smile on my face.

***

Inside the Emperor’s Room

"Father, are you even aware of what is happening? Or do you not know anything and choose to remain like this?" Princess shouted at the emperor.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," he replied.

"What? You don’t understand? I don’t think that’s the case, Father. I’m sure you are aware of what is going on. I’m aware Aunt has discussed that woman’s decision with you—that she wants the prince if she divorces the duke. Don’t lie to me! Tell me the truth!" she demanded.

"Yes, I know, so what? Do I need your permission to do something? Do I need to take orders from you? I don’t think I do. So don’t meddle in the decisions I make. I’m the emperor, not you," the emperor shouted.

"No, Father, you can’t do this. If she marries him, then you will never be able to remove the prince from the crown prince position. What about me? Will I call her sister-in-law? No way! I will not call her that under any condition," she declared.

"Then what do you want? You want both? Where did you learn this? Your mother was not selfish, nor am I. How did you become like this, I don’t know. Now, I’m starting to wonder if you are really my blood," he said, causing her to take a step back.

"Father, what are you saying? I’m your daughter. How can you think like this?" she stammered.

"No, you don’t resemble me. You have become spoiled because of this status, or you will never be able to survive anywhere," he asserted.

"Don’t interfere in my position or the way everything is set. You will either get nothing or suffer your whole life," he declared, ushering her out of his room.

"Father, don’t do this! Father, change your decision. Don’t let that woman into this palace. She doesn’t deserve this! Please consider my words. Please consider me!" she pleaded, but the emperor remained unyielding, dismissing her from the room.

"I myself am confused about what I will do. The woman is cunning. If we hadn’t provoked her, she wouldn’t have considered capturing the prince’s position. I think someone made a mistake. Yes, my sister made a mistake by choosing a girl for Alex. If it were someone else, they would have agreed with money, but she is nothing like this woman. What should I do?" the Emperor pondered.