How To End This Marriage-Chapter 69: Whispers of Fate

My voice reverberated through the cold, dimly lit dungeon as I demanded answers from Grant. His laughter, however, echoed back at me, as if my question were some twisted joke. His sinister amusement fueled the flames of my anger, casting eerie shadows on the damp stone walls.

"You will never know, Duchess. Even if I were eliminated, someone else would take my place. If I couldn’t kill you, someone else would. If I couldn’t stop you from meddling in Ablia, someone else would. You can’t prevent what’s destined to happen. The Supreme God has written this destiny for you," he proclaimed, his words dripping with a sinister madness. His transformation from a loyal servant to this deranged figure was deeply unsettling, like a nightmare brought to life.

"Madam, what are you doing? I allowed you to bring him to the dungeon, but you cannot treat him this way. He is not a criminal," Alex interrupted, his voice filled with concern, the study’s torchlight casting flickering shadows across his worried face.

"He is a criminal, and you can’t stop me," I retorted, my resolve unyielding, though the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on me.

"Lord, save me! The Duchess will kill me. I now believe that what the Emperor said was right. She is not fit to be the Duchess of Ablia. Ablia needs a soft, gentle person to look after it, not a manipulative woman. Please consider my wishes. You will see that the Duchess is unsuitable for Ablia," Grant changed his tune once again, leaving me bewildered. His pleas seemed to shift with the wind, and I struggled to discern his true intentions.

"Duke, I think you should also consider the wishes of the previous Duchess. She had the best intentions for you. Marry her! She will save this duchy," Grant continued, further deepening my confusion. What were the wishes of the previous Duchess? Had she already decided on Alex’s marriage to someone else? If so, why had he married me when he could have easily followed her wishes?

"Duke, what is he saying? Is there something I don’t know but need to know?" I asked, turning to Alex for an explanation, my eyes searching for answers.

"Madam, we can discuss this in the study," he suggested, leading me out of the dungeon and into his study. My mind raced with thoughts and questions. This seemed to be connected to my dream. In that dream, the previous Duchess had said similar things, expressing her displeasure with my presence in Ablia. However, after several years, when I failed to provide an heir, she had pulled her trump card, suggesting that Alex should marry another woman. I had not seen who that woman was in the dream.

"Duke, please tell me what is happening!" I implored repeatedly, but he remained silent until we were inside the study. Once there, he walked toward his desk, seemingly lost in thought, his silhouette cast in the soft glow of candlelight.

"Duke, why are you so quiet? Am I asking something you can’t answer? Is this too difficult for you to discuss?" I inquired, my patience waning, the heavy scent of aged books filling the room.

"What do you want me to say?" he suddenly shouted, his frustration breaking through, the sudden outburst startling me.

"Should I say that I shouldn’t have married you?"

"Should I say that I should marry the person my mother chose for me?"

"Or should I say that I made a terrible mistake by entering into this marriage?"

"Tell me, what should I say? What do you want me to admit? Is it that I should marry the First Princess of the Empire?" he finally confessed, his words piercing through me, bringing tears to my eyes. He regretted our marriage, and he was now revealing it openly. I had thought he remained silent because he wanted to get through the one-year agreement, but he was already regretting our relationship after only a few months. It seemed that he had always intended to marry the princess. It was always Vix, even though she had played no active role in this situation.

"I apologize, Duke! I shouldn’t have treated you this way. I know I’ve said things that can’t be taken back, but I hope you will honor the Duchess’s wishes," I said and opened the door of the study, heading for my room. The cool breeze of the hallway offered a momentary respite from the emotional turmoil within. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Madam, wait!" I heard Alex’s voice behind me, and I halted, my heart heavy with uncertainty.

"What is it? Do you have something to say? If so, then say it. I need to prepare for my departure to the palace to meet the Emperor," I said, my voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determination.

"Madam! I— I just wanted to say—" Alex began to speak but couldn’t seem to find the right words, his voice echoing in the corridor.

"There’s no need to speak, Duke. You did the right thing by expressing your thoughts. I appreciate your honesty," I said and continued walking, trying to maintain my composure, my steps echoing in the dimly lit hallway as I made my way to my chambers.

"Master!" I heard Erios’ voice before I reached my room, his presence a reassuring anchor in the sea of uncertainty.

"Yes, Erios! Do you have something to say?" I asked, turning to him, the flickering torches casting dancing shadows on his determined face.

"Yes, Master!" he replied, his voice unwavering.

"I believe you should reconsider the idea of visiting the Emperor alone," he repeated the same warning, his eyes locked onto mine, his concern palpable.

"Why? Tell me your reason!" I urged, the weight of his words hanging in the air like an unanswered question.

"I can’t disclose the reason, but you should not go alone. It’s dangerous, a threat to your life," he said.

"If you are not willing to speak, then I will take matters into my own hands to see what awaits me," I said, walking into my room.