How To End This Marriage-Chapter 52: Unforeseen Intrusion

As the guard informed us, we walked into the grand audience hall. The weight of countless eyes, belonging to ministers and higher authorities, bore down on me, scrutinizing my presence from head to toe. It felt as if I were in a locked cage, and these people were assessing me as if I were a prize at an auction. The sensation made my skin crawl.

"It’s okay. I’m here," Alex whispered, his reassuring voice and the comforting grip of his hand providing solace amidst the unsettling atmosphere. I looked at his face, and in that moment, my affection for him deepened, even though ours was just a contract marriage, and I wasn’t the one he loved.

"Did I misunderstand him?" I wondered.

"I, the Duke of the North Region, Alexavier Agnes, greet you, Your Majesty," he declared with a graceful bow before the emperor as we approached him.

"I, the Duchess of the North Region, Bernice Alexavier Agnes, greet the emperor," I greeted with a slight bow, my gaze briefly meeting the emperor’s. I could feel him scrutinizing me, as if he had been observing me for a long time.

"You may rise," he said, putting us at ease.

"So, you are Bernice," he addressed me directly.

"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied, avoiding prolonged eye contact with him.

"I’ve heard many things about you, but I never expected to meet you so soon," he remarked, his voice tinged with a mocking tone.

"It’s my pleasure, Your Majesty," I responded respectfully.

"But, Duchess Bernice, I believe you’ve failed in your duties," he stated, and I clenched my fists within the folds of my dress.

"I don’t understand what you mean, Your Majesty," I replied politely, though a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Duchess, I’ve been informed by the temple that you were chosen by the gods to protect the temple. The High Priest has informed me that you were meant to be a Holy Knight. Yet, I’ve also been informed that you declined this responsibility. Don’t you think you have failed to be the Duchess the kingdom needs?" he questioned, his gaze stern. Among the onlookers, I noticed the High Priest standing with a peculiar smile directed at me.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. If I have disappointed you, I accept it. However, don’t you think it would be neglecting my duty as a Duchess if I accepted the responsibility of a Holy Knight? I had to choose one and decline the other. I chose to serve as the Duchess of Ablia. I don’t believe I’ve committed any sins I’m being accused of," I stated calmly, though the weight of the situation pressed heavily upon me.

"Duchess Bernice, you’re taking this back to the Emperor," a minister interjected from the crowd.

"I’ve only stated what I believe is right," I replied politely once more, holding my ground.

"So, are you implying that you don’t consider yourself the savior of the temple?" the emperor pressed further.

"I don’t," I replied without hesitation, though the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

"Then, isn’t it also your implication that if you could shirk the responsibility of being a Holy Knight, you can also shirk your responsibilities as a Duchess?" he added, angering me.

"What is he saying? Did he bring me here as a Holy Sword, intending for me to resign as the Duchess and follow the god’s wishes? Was this his plan all along?" I seethed inwardly.

"Please pardon my intrusion, but I believe the Duchess should be free to choose her path," Alex spoke up, his voice unwavering, his protective hand covering me.

"Of course, but I have the best interests of Ablia at heart," the emperor responded.

"I am aware of the good intentions you have for us, and I’m grateful for the wise decisions you’ve made, which benefit Ablia. However, among those wise decisions, Bernice Balliol is one of them. Her role as the Duchess is one of the best things for Ablia," Alex asserted, his voice carrying the weight of conviction.

"I’m the best thing?" I thought, surprised by his strong defense.

"I’m pleased to see you both getting along," the emperor said, his tone lowered as if he didn’t want to express it but had to.

"But I would appreciate it if you could issue a restriction order for the temple to avoid such a situation in the future," he continued.

"I’m afraid I can’t do that," the emperor replied, a sense of tension filling the room.

"Duke, you can’t stop this. She’s chosen. She’s chosen to protect the temple from harm. How can you request a restriction? We’re not enemies. We’re the servants of God, and we will serve God and follow His orders," the High Priest chimed in from behind, his voice firm.

"High Priest, you seem to forget that she is the Duchess of the North. She was chosen for that role as well. Do you wish to defy God’s will in her case too? Are you determined to oppose what God has ordained?" Alex’s voice turned cold as he spoke, keeping his gaze fixed in their direction.

He continued to stand his ground, and I couldn’t help but be touched by his unwavering support. My heart fluttered, and it felt as if I were seeing him for the first time, just like when we first met in the Marquis’s mansion, colliding in the hallway.

"Duchess, please state what you wish to do. This conversation is based on your desires," the emperor said, directing his attention to me.

"I—" I began, but before I could express my wishes, I heard the door forcefully pushed open, and what I saw filled me with fear.

"This shouldn’t be happening," I muttered under my breath, my heart racing as an unexpected and ominous presence entered the room.

"Now, what should I do?" I muttered, my mind racing to find a solution. It felt as though I had witnessed something that could potentially undo all of my hard work in an instant.