How To End This Marriage-Chapter 166: Twisted Crown

"How am I supposed to help you then?" Tribal Princess Sylvia pressed, her voice laced with suspicion.

Crown Prince Maximus stepped closer, his eyes burning with determination. "Be engaged to me, Princess! Become the Crown Princess of this empire."

Sylvia recoiled, a flicker of anger crossing her face. "Crown Princess? You want me to marry into the empire that exploited me?"

Maximus held up a hand, his voice softening. "Don’t you want the same, Princess? Didn’t you choose to stay here because you craved the Crown Princess’s place? I’m offering it to you now, making your dream a reality."

"This isn’t a favor, Your Highness," Sylvia spat. "I desired the role to secure a foothold in the Tribal Empire’s crumbling power, not to become Queen of your empire. This throne is a poison, corrupting anyone who sits upon it."

Her gaze narrowed. "The previous Emperor, your own father, did unspeakable things. You’ll follow the same path. Blood doesn’t lie."

Maximus clenched his jaw. "I won’t be like him."

Sylvia challenged him, "What if I say otherwise?"

The Prince, surprised, offered a deal. "Then you can break the alliance."

After a tense pause, Sylvia conceded. "Fine. I agree to become your Crown Princess." She turned to leave, but Maximus stopped her with a question.

"You still haven’t answered my question, Princess," he said, his voice firm. "Why were you in such a hurry last night? What made you forget royal protocol?"

Sylvia offered a tired excuse. "Didn’t I tell you? I’ve been prone to forgetfulness since..."

Maximus cut her off. "I know that’s a lie. I want the truth. Tell me!"

Sylvia’s resolve hardened. "There is no truth to tell, Prince." With that, she swept out of the room.

Left alone, Maximus pondered her words. "If she can reveal her ambition to be here, why hide the truth behind the attacks on the Emperor? Why so many secrets?" He frowned, determined to unravel the mystery.

Suddenly, a disembodied voice echoed through the chamber. "Emperor, indeed. A fitting choice! My foolish puppet proved inadequate, but you... you’re the perfect plaything."

Maximus whirled around, searching for the source. "You’re behind the Emperor’s schemes?"

"Indeed," the voice boomed. "And I shall be your guide once more. Remember, those who ascend the throne become mine. You will obey, you will follow."

Maximus gripped his sword, defiance flashing in his eyes. "I will not be like my father!"

The voice chuckled, a cold, malevolent sound. "That, Maximus, is not your choice. The strings are tightening..."

Just then, a knight’s voice broke the chilling spell. "Your Highness?"

Maximus blinked, the memory of the encounter fading like a dream. "What? I... I don’t remember. Did something happen?"

The knight’s voice was laced with concern. "You’ve been lost in thought for quite some time, Your Highness. Is everything alright?"

Maximus shook his head, the echo of the voice lingering in his mind. "Yes, everything is fine. Just... lost in thought, that’s all."

"The Emperor has been making strange noises, Your Highness. All are worried. You should come and see him," the knight urged, guiding Maximus towards the Emperor’s chamber.

"See yourself! He makes this guttural sound, like a dying dog," the knight explained, a hint of anxiety in his voice. "I apologize if my description sounds crude."

Maximus nodded curtly and entered the chamber, his gaze fixated on the Emperor. The King strained to move his lips, but the effort yielded no words.

"Father, why are you like this? Are you trying to speak?" Maximus asked, his voice laced with concern.

The Emperor managed a slow, laborious nod.

"But I can’t understand you!" Maximus cried, frustration creeping into his voice. "How am I supposed to help you this way?"

He sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I warned you not to do this, but you wouldn’t listen. Now see how many enemies lurk in the shadows, eager to strike, even while you’re under the royal guard’s protection! Is this what you desired?"

"Don’t speak, Father. There are no words to express this torment. Even the royal physician has found no cure for your affliction."

Suddenly, a guard’s voice broke the tense silence. "Your Highness, Princess Vixara seeks an audience."

"Let her in," Maximus commanded, a tremor of anticipation in his voice.

Princess Vixara entered, her eyes sweeping over the Emperor’s contorted form before settling on Maximus. "Greetings to the Royal Emperor and Crown Prince," she said, her voice surprisingly calm.

Maximus dismissed the formalities. "There’s no need for such pronouncements. You, too, are royalty, and your authority rivals mine."

Vixara shook her head gently. "That’s not entirely true. Our paths diverged long ago. I spent my childhood in the Duchy, while you trained as a prince, the heir to the throne. Our roles, our burdens, differ greatly."

Maximus frowned. "I dislike that distinction."

"Understandably," Vixara conceded. "But caution guides my words, lest I make a careless misstep."

Before Maximus could protest, Vixara turned her attention to the Emperor. "So, Emperor, how do you fare? I hear you’re paralyzed, a condition with no remedy. Is that true?"

Her gaze lingered on the Emperor, then hardened with a chilling glint. "While I wouldn’t call it tragic, you certainly deserve worse for murdering my mother."

The room plunged into a stunned silence. Maximus gaped at Vixara, her accusation hanging heavy in the air.

"My nanny revealed the truth of that fateful night at my birth," Vixara continued, her voice rising with each word. "I shall not let you escape this crime. The court hearing draws near, and justice will soon be served."

Maximus stammered, "Vixara, what are you saying?"

She fixed him with a cold stare. "You wouldn’t understand. You were oblivious to the events that unfolded. But the truth will be laid bare, soon enough."

A cruel smile played on her lips. "And I can’t wait to watch the world learn the truth."

Maximus, consumed by shock and confusion, pleaded, "Tell me now! Why can’t you simply reveal the truth?"

Vixara’s smile widened. "The time is not yet ripe."

Princess Vixara straightened, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "I’ve finished sharing my message. I think I can finally find some rest."

But before she could leave, a knight burst into the room, breathless and urgent. "Your Highness! An emergency! The jury has unexpectedly convened the court. They await the Emperor and all members of the Royal Family."

Maximus’s brows furrowed. "What? This has never happened before."

The knight shrugged, his gaze flitting towards the Emperor. "I have no idea, Your Highness."

Maximus met the knight’s eyes, his jaw clenched. "Inform the knights. We must shackle the Emperor again in metal chains and escort him to the court as protocol dictates."

"As you command, Your Highness," the knight bowed and hurried out. Vixara turned to face Maximus, her smile widening.

"It seems your wish has been granted sooner than anticipated, Your Highness. Your prayers have borne fruit."

Maximus shook his head, his voice firm. "I won’t celebrate victory so readily. The court hasn’t finished their investigation, and the Emperor’s punishment remains undetermined. There’s no cause for joy yet."

Vixara’s smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of frustration. "You spoke of revealing the truth, of bringing solace to our shared pain. Yet, your words betray your intentions. Why this hesitation? Has your father, the very man who caused us such suffering, regained your affection?"

Maximus sighed, his eyes filled with conflict. "Vixara, you misunderstand. Until the truth is fully and irrefutably established, I can’t condone such hasty judgement. Would you be content if any man claiming to be your father were condemned without proof?"

Vixara scoffed. "But you nearly silenced me in court, Max! Don’t rewrite history. It was I who spoke the truth, I who fought for my voice. You remained silent, bound by your oath to him. Is that your idea of honoring the Emperor, your father? No, Max, it’s nothing of the sort."

Her eyes narrowed, filled with icy resolve. "Let the court see whose side you truly stand on. Let them see you deny the truth about your own father. I’ll be watching." With that, she turned and swept out of the room, leaving Maximus alone with his swirling thoughts.

Moments later, the knight reappeared. "The jury awaits, Your Highness."

Maximus took a deep breath, steeling himself for the trial to come. "I’m on my way," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

He entered the courtroom, facing the jury’s expectant gazes. "I apologize for the delay, Your Honors. Urgent matters detained me."

The head juror nodded curtly. "We understand, Your Highness. However, time is of the essence. Shall we proceed with the court session?"

Maximus met their gaze, his resolve wavering but not breaking. "Yes," he said, his voice echoing in the hushed chamber. "Let us proceed."

The court session began with a chilling spectacle. The knights marched forth, their ironclad footsteps echoing in the hushed hall. Between them, the Emperor, bound in heavy metal chains, struggled against his restraints. His once regal form was now twisted and contorted, a grotesque mockery of its former glory.

A gasp swept through the audience, a ripple of fear and horror. Whispers erupted like wildfire: "What in the heavens has happened?" "The Emperor, a shattered doll!"