How To End This Marriage-Chapter 183: Family Secrets

A meeting was called with urgent haste. Murmurs of concern filled the air as ministers huddled, whispering about the sudden summons by Princess Sylvia at such a late hour.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" the ministers chorused as the Emperor himself strode into the hall. His face, etched with worry, mirrored the anxieties swirling within the chamber.

"Your Highness," a minister ventured, "do you know the reason behind this late meeting? So much transpired today, yet this gathering casts a shadow of unease."

The Emperor, his brow furrowed, shook his head. "I, too, am perplexed. This is Sylvia’s call, and her purpose remains veiled."

As if on cue, the Princess herself entered, accompanied by the Emperor’s trusted advisor. A steely resolve glinted in her eyes, hinting at the gravity of the situation.

"Princess," the Emperor addressed her, "what necessitates this late gathering?"

"Father," Sylvia began, her voice low but firm, "the matter at hand cannot wait. We stand on the precipice of losing our empire before dawn breaks."

A collective gasp rippled through the ministers. The Emperor, his eyes widening, demanded, "What do you mean?"

"I interrogated Concubine Feng Mei," Sylvia explained, "and her words were laced with venom. She thirsts for revenge, for our empire’s downfall. Cryptically, she hinted at an impending attack, a dawn raid by enemies that could crumble everything we hold dear."

The air crackled with tension. The Emperor’s jaw clenched. "I will confront her myself!" he declared, but Sylvia swiftly interjected.

"Further interrogation will yield no fruit, Father. I have exhausted her secrets. Now, we must focus on two fronts: defense against external threats and bolstering our internal strength."

A minister spoke, his voice trembling, "But our forces are depleted. We need more soldiers to stand against this onslaught."

Sylvia’s gaze swept the room, her eyes meeting the Emperor’s. "We need allies," she declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "The family empires, our former allies, must be informed of our plight. We must seek their aid, swiftly and decisively."

Relief washed over the ministers’ faces. A glimmer of hope flickered in the Emperor’s eyes. "I have already begun talks with Crown Prince Maximus," Sylvia revealed. "He will lend his army to our cause."

The Empress, however, remained unconvinced. "This is your doing, Sylvia," she spat. "You provoked the Concubine, brought this ruin upon us."

Sylvia, unfazed, turned to her mother. "I serve the Emperor, not you, Mother. Your counsel belongs to him, not me. Focus your energies on the palace, on matters that befit your station. Leave the empire’s affairs to those who shoulder its burdens."

With that, Sylvia turned to leave, her head held high. The Empress, cheeks burning with humiliation, could only watch her daughter’s defiant exit.

"Prepare the army," Sylvia commanded, her voice echoing in the stunned silence. "Deploy them to the borders. We need eyes and ears, ready to warn us of any approaching threat."

The ministers, shaken but resolute, bowed in unison. "As you wish, Your Highness."

The scene ended with a sense of urgency, a desperate scramble for survival against unseen enemies.

"Did the Crown Prince send any word about the message I sent him?" the Princess anxiously inquired of the maid.

"No, Your Highness," the maid replied apologetically. "I haven’t received any letter from the other empire. It might not have arrived yet, or perhaps the enemy intercepted it before it reached Crown Prince Maximus."

The Princess sighed, worry etching lines on her brow. "No, it must have reached him. He’s my last hope. I know he’ll send information and troops as soon as he learns of my situation."

Suddenly, the Emperor’s subordinate entered. "Your Highness, someone awaits you."

"What is it?" the Princess snapped, frustration momentarily overwhelming her composure. "I don’t have time for anyone right now."

"This is not frivolous, Your Highness," the subordinate assured her. "It’s what you’ve been waiting for."

Intrigued, the Princess hurried outside. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Crown Prince Maximus standing before her, his clothes drenched in sweat, his army assembled behind him.

"Your Highness! You!" she exclaimed, a mixture of relief and concern coloring her voice. "You could have sent word before arriving so hastily."

"I know I could have sent advance notice," the Crown Prince replied, his chest heaving, "but your empire needs my help urgently. Any delay could mean further attacks and devastating losses. I couldn’t bear the thought of you suffering while waiting for me."

Touched by his devotion, the Princess ushered him inside. "Everyone," she announced to the surrounding servants, "prepare for the arrival of the Crown Prince’s army. They are to be treated with the utmost respect and given the best accommodations."

"As you command, Your Highness," the Emperor’s subordinate replied deferentially.

"Your Highness, please sit," the Princess said, guiding the Crown Prince to a chair. She then fetched a towel and gently dabbed his forehead, her heart swelling with gratitude for his swift response.

"Why such haste, my love?" the Crown Prince asked, his voice soft. "Look at yourself, panting like a dog. Can you even breathe properly?"

The Princess stopped, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "This is not the time for jokes," she retorted, trying to regain her composure. "What if something happened to you before you reached me? What would become of your empire? Even the truth about the Emperor and Empress remains hidden from the public."

The Crown Prince’s smile faded. "I’ve told you, the Empress is innocent."

"Do you still believe that?" the Princess challenged, her voice low and dangerous. "How can you say the Empress is blameless when she’s the victim? Don’t you remember the poisoned arrow that pierced her chest the moment she entered the palace as Princess? Who else could have done it? Not the Emperor, bound in chains. Who else, then? You know the truth, yet you choose to ignore it."

The Crown Prince looked away, his face a mask of conflicting emotions. "There’s no proof the Empress committed that act," he mumbled, his voice devoid of its earlier conviction.

The tension hung heavy in the air, their conversation leaving more questions than answers.

"This argument isn’t getting anywhere," the Princess snapped, turning away from the Crown Prince.

"And don’t try that affectionate act with me," she continued sharply. "I’m not your lover. This is simply an arrangement we both need for survival."

The Crown Prince sighed. "I understand, but we must keep up the appearance."

"No!" the Princess’s voice trembled with determination. "If you continue this charade here, I risk losing the throne. I want to be Emperor of this Empire, not your consort. If word of this reaches Father, I could lose my claim to succession."

The door swung open, revealing the Empress standing on the threshold. "So, this is what you’ve been plotting in my absence," she stated, her voice heavy with disappointment.

"Mother," the Princess hissed, her anger flaring, "don’t you know it’s improper to enter someone’s chamber uninvited?"

The Empress, unfazed, retorted, "If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be privy to your little scheme. You crave the throne and now wish to plant the Crown Prince next to the Empress? What a delightful future you’ve envisioned for yourself."

The Princess’s gaze narrowed. "If I turned the tables, Mother, what would you say? Would you claim you never yearned for the crown? That you never desired marriage to the Emperor? Or perhaps you’d deny the very ambition that drives you now? Tell me, Mother, have you never wished for something you shouldn’t?"

"Sylvia!" the Empress shrieked, her voice laced with outrage. "How dare you address me with such insolence?"

"Mother? I see no mother here," the Princess countered, her voice cold and unwavering. "I only see an Empress desperate to cling to her throne, regardless of the cost."

The Crown Prince cleared his throat awkwardly. "Perhaps I should leave. This seems like a family matter."

"Of course," the Princess sighed. "Maid!" she called out.

A flurry of footsteps announced the arrival of the maid. "Yes, Princess?" she inquired.

"Please escort the Crown Prince to his chambers and ensure he has a comfortable rest," the Princess ordered.

"As you wish, Your Highness," the maid curtsied, leading the Crown Prince away, leaving the Princess and Empress alone.

"Now, where were we?" the Princess said, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. "Your demonstration of maternal concern, perhaps?"

The Empress bristled. "You overstep your bounds, child. I shall inform the Emperor of your insolence."

The Princess’s smile widened. "Oh, please do," she challenged. "Tell him everything. And while you’re at it, confess your knowledge of Concubine Feng Mei’s fabricated pregnancy."

The Empress’s face paled. "You..." she sputtered, rage battling fear in her eyes.

"Yes, me," the Princess said calmly. "From the moment I arrived, I saw your neglect, your subtle withdrawal from your role as Empress. But you did nothing. You knew the woman was a fraud, yet you kept silent. Should I enlighten Father about your little secret, Mother?"

The room fell silent, charged with a dangerous tension. The Princess, her defiance a steely flame in her eyes, held the Empress’s fate in her hand.