How To End This Marriage-Chapter 55: Divine Decree

In a chamber steeped in shadows, Emperor Zadicus Belenus knelt before an imposing, ominous presence, his head bowed in solemn submission. His voice trembled as he addressed the looming, unseen figure.

"Yes, Supreme God. This unworthy emperor is at your service," the emperor responded, his words laden with humility.

The voice, a cruel and mocking entity, sneered in response. "Emperor? Ha ha ha ha! You dare to call yourself an emperor when you can’t even perform the simplest tasks, let alone rule a kingdom? Do you truly believe that emperors are as incompetent as you? I think not," it taunted mercilessly.

"I humbly request your forgiveness for my incompetence," the emperor bowed even lower, his voice quivering with a sense of dread.

"I have no use for your forgiveness. I appointed you as emperor because I believed you were worthy. I believed you would serve me wholeheartedly. Yet, you’ve made me question my choice. You’ve made me doubt whether your ministers possess greater wisdom than you, the emperor who governs the entire kingdom. Have you no shame?" The voice continued to berate the emperor, its words slicing through the air like a blade.

"Do you not feel ashamed of yourself for being so inept?" it inquired, each word dripping with disdain.

"I do, my Lord. I feel a deep sense of shame, and despite my best efforts, I cannot escape my own inadequacies. As you’ve noted, I’ve done all that I could. I even sent Duke Alexavier to the war for many years as you requested, but I cannot comprehend why you remain unsatisfied. This lowly emperor struggles to grasp your superior desires," the emperor replied, his voice quavering with a mixture of fear and reverence.

"Ha ha ha ha! You believe you fulfilled my wishes? Then why did the Duke return? Why did he meet the Marquis’s daughter? Why did he marry her? Why did that girl become the Duchess of the North? Did you truly act according to my instructions? The Duke should have remained on the battlefield, dedicating his entire life to it, not returning to the dukedom!" The voice growled in frustration, its anger palpable.

"I apologize for my error, Supreme God. I had no choice but to summon him back. The battle had concluded, and I had no option to keep him away from the kingdom," the emperor explained, his words laced with regret.

"Then ensure that you send the Duchess to the temple. If you can accomplish this, my blessings will forever rest upon your dynasty. I shall bestow blessings upon your heirs for generations to come," the voice decreed before vanishing, leaving the emperor to contemplate the weight of the divine mandate.

"Bernice Balliol, you must return to the temple. This is the desire of my God. I will do whatever it takes to fulfill my God’s wish, even if it exhausts my every resource," the emperor grumbled determinedly, the burden of divine expectation pressing heavily upon him.

***

"Your Majesty, you have returned?" the ministers inquired, their voices a chorus of concern as the emperor emerged from his chamber, his face etched with the gravity of his secret encounter.

"Yes, please proceed with what is required," the emperor responded, his voice a calm facade concealing the turmoil within.

"Your Majesty, there is troubling news that the neighboring kingdom is planning to launch an attack on our territory. Reports suggest they have already crossed their border and are preparing to strike. Additionally, they have acquired new facilities to bolster their manpower, aiming to defeat our soldiers this time," one of the ministers reported, his expression grim.

"Is this information reliable?" the emperor inquired, his gaze unwavering.

"Yes, Your Majesty. A trustworthy source has provided this intelligence regarding the impending threat to our kingdom," the minister affirmed, his voice resolute.

"Summon the Duke and prepare him to depart for the war," the emperor ordered without hesitation, his resolve unshaken in the face of danger.

"Your Majesty, some of the other ministers have a different perspective on this matter," the minister stated hesitantly, wary of the impending confrontation.

"What is their view?" the emperor asked, his tone measured.

"They propose that the Crown Prince be sent to the war to gain practical knowledge and better understand war tactics. They argue that at over twenty years of age, Crown Prince Maximus is no longer too young for such an experience," the minister explained in a hushed voice, aware of the contentious nature of their proposal.

"Crown Prince Maximus is still too young to engage in warfare and learn its ways," the emperor retorted, his conviction unwavering.

"Yes, Your Majesty. However, the ministers contend that Duke Alexavier was sent to war at the tender age of fifteen, making Crown Prince Maximus more than ready for such an endeavor," the minister replied quietly, bracing himself for the emperor’s reaction.

"Summon them! I wish to discuss this matter with them directly," the emperor ordered, signaling his intention to confront the dissenting ministers and assert his authority in a time of crisis.

In the dimly lit meeting chamber, the emperor sat at the head of a long, ornate table, flanked by his council of ministers who had been summoned to discuss the looming threat of war. Their faces were etched with concern, and a palpable tension hung in the air as they deliberated the fate of the kingdom.

"Yes, Your Majesty, you summoned us?" The ministers entered the chamber, their footsteps echoing in the solemn space, ready to address the pressing issue of war.

The emperor nodded gravely. "Yes, I’d like to hear your perspectives on this matter. Could you please explain your views?" His voice, though controlled, hinted at the gravity of the situation. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

One of the ministers, a proponent of sending the Crown Prince to war, stepped forward to present his argument. "Your Majesty, as I’ve previously stated, I believe that Crown Prince Maximus should be sent to the war to gain practical knowledge of warfare. It is essential for him to learn tactics and understand how to protect and govern the kingdom."

Another minister, representing the opposing viewpoint, spoke next. "Yes, Your Majesty. While we acknowledge that Duke Alexavier is vital to the kingdom, we also believe that he deserves a respite from warfare. Many soldiers continue to suffer from the trauma of previous conflicts. Some are unable to even contemplate returning to the battlefield, despite having spent relatively less time there. The Duke, on the other hand, has devoted over five to six years of his life to war. We do not believe it is necessary to send him back to battle."

The emperor’s brow furrowed as he considered the implications of both arguments. "What if the Crown Prince fails in the war? What if he does not return? What would be the kingdom’s future?" His voice, once measured, now carried a note of frustration.

A minister, sensing the emperor’s displeasure, spoke cautiously. "Your Majesty, I understand that my words may seem disrespectful, but if the Crown Prince were unable to return, then I must assert that he may not be suited for the throne."

A hushed murmur swept through the chamber, and tension mounted as swords were placed at the minister’s neck, restricting his movement.

"Are you implying that you are dissatisfied with the choice of the Crown Prince?" The emperor’s voice grew sharp, his patience waning.

"I have never expressed such sentiments, my Lord. I merely conveyed what the people might say if he were to fail," the minister clarified, his eyes darting to the blades poised at his neck.

"Silence! You have shown disrespect to the emperor," another minister admonished, while the tension in the room thickened.

"I apologize if my words were deemed disrespectful by any of you," the minister said, his voice tinged with regret, before hastily exiting the chamber, leaving a lingering unease in his wake.