How To End This Marriage-Chapter 86: A Web of Deceit

The Crown Prince’s chamber was an intimate setting, shrouded in shadows and secrecy, as Maximus and Sylvia found themselves in an unexpectedly close proximity. Their banter, despite the sinister circumstances, carried a peculiar tension.

"Don’t you think the position is a bit awkward?" Maximus growled, the warmth of their bodies creating an electrifying connection.

Sylvia, ever the enigma, couldn’t help but respond with a touch of mockery. "I never knew the crown prince is such a pervert."

Maximus, with a hint of innocence, countered her jest. "How am I a pervert when the lady herself took the initiative to climb onto me like a hungry wolf?"

Their playful exchange was short-lived as Sylvia retreated to the bed, closing her eyes to escape the surreal predicament. The room fell into a hushed stillness as Maximus pondered the perplexing turn of events.

In the heart of the night, a rattling noise disrupted Maximus’s slumber. He stirred, reaching for his sword, his senses on high alert as he approached the chamber door. A lurking shadow caught his attention, prompting a sharp demand for the intruder’s identity.

"Who is it? Come out!!!" he shouted, and the figure emerged from the darkness, revealing the head knight.

Maximus’s surprise was evident. "You? What are you all doing here?"

The head knight, unwavering, explained, "Lord, the witness has been killed. I had no choice but to inform you secretly, as per your request to keep it a secret."

Maximus recognized the gravity of the situation. "Okay, this place is not safe. Let’s move to a different location to discuss this."

Unbeknownst to Maximus, Sylvia was still listening from beneath the blanket. An idea began to take shape in her mind.

"Now, it’s my turn. I will escape. Otherwise, when the emperor discovers that the witness is gone, he might target me to eliminate the only living proof," she mumbled and approached the window. With resolute determination, she lifted her dress’s hem, perched on the windowsill, and announced, "You can stop me from leaving through the door, not the window."

Without hesitation, she leaped into the night, her landing far from graceful. The significant height took its toll, causing an injury that left her legs bloodied. A nearby Black Wrath guarding the room was briefly alerted by the commotion but failed to spot her in the darkness. Ultimately, he returned to his post inside the chamber.

On the other side, the Crown Prince began discussing matters with the knights.

"Tell me, what’s the news? How did you learn that the witness had died?" he inquired.

"We don’t know, Your Majesty. When we arrived, the deed was already done, and it left us stunned. As you instructed, we concealed the body and cleaned up the blood. However, the issue is that the body will begin to decompose, and it’s hard to keep it hidden for long," the head knight explained.

"I know, I also have another eyewitness, but that person refuses to provide a statement," the Crown Prince mentioned.

"Why don’t you pressure her with execution?" the knight suggested.

"The individual prefers execution over revealing the truth," the Crown Prince stated, closing off their options.

"Then what should we do? Now we’re missing many eyewitnesses," the head knight asked.

"First, we didn’t believe that the Duke was seen at the knight’s murder, but now we don’t even know who was murdered. Then, Lucius got caught, and now he’s been killed. The other witness is still hidden and won’t give a statement. What’s more, if this continues, I don’t think we’ll get anywhere near finding the Duchess’s whereabouts," the head knight lamented.

"I know, but we have to," the Crown Prince said. The black wrath from the shadows then informed him.

"I have other tasks. You all can go to your resting place. I will get back to you soon regarding the body’s decay," he said and went toward his chamber. The black wrath then informed, "Your Highness, the lady has escaped."

"Your Highness, the lady has escaped," he informed.

"What do you mean she escaped? I told you to guard her! How could you make such a foolish mistake?" the Crown Prince shouted.

"I apologize, Your Majesty, but the lady jumped out of the window despite the significant height," the Black Wrath explained.

"I even followed her. Blood was dripping everywhere, and it led me to the forest, but I lost sight of her in the darkness, so I had to return," he summarized.

"Do you have any information about her background?" the Crown Prince asked the Black Wrath.

"No, Your Highness, but I will try to gather information," the Black Wrath replied before leaving the Crown Prince in a state of dilemma. However, the Emperor’s sudden arrival added to the complexity of the situation.

"Father, what are you doing in my chamber so late?" he asked.

"Maximus!!! Stop whatever you have started. This is not what I have raised you for," he shouted angrily.

"What are you trying to say, Father?" he asked.

"Stop this investigation. It’s not for you. Why are you putting all your interest in this? Do I require your help? Does the Duke require your help? Then why? Why don’t you just stay out of it?" the Emperor said.

"Father, the way you’re saying it makes me suspect you even more," he said, confronting the Emperor, also known as his father.

"So what if you suspect me? I am the Emperor. I rule the Empire. If you go against me, it will only make the Empire’s citizens hate you, and I’ll have to remove you from the Crown Prince’s seat," the Emperor indirectly admitted.

"Why are you threatening me now?" he asked.

"Don’t get involved in this," the Emperor said, attempting to leave. But Maximus stopped him, saying, "No, Father, I’m involved in this on my own. Do you think I will stop just because you say so? It won’t happen. I won’t let it happen. I’ll get to the root of the matter, and I’ll even help Alex with this. Do whatever you can. This time your opponent is me," he said with determination.

"You will regret making me your enemy, Maximus!" the Emperor exclaimed, turning around.

"The moment you killed Lucius, you already made me your enemy, Father. I don’t think I can call you ’Father’ anymore, and I can’t accept myself as the only heir to the throne either. Now I’m starting to believe in the existence of the first heir of the Empire who should come to the limelight at any cost," he declared, making the Emperor shout.

"Maximus! You’re going against me!" the Emperor yelled.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am going against you. From now on, be aware of me first, because if someone is capable of treachery, it will only be me. Your thoughts should be on me," he said, walking toward his bed.

"Maximus!"

"Your Majesty, you should retire now," Maximus said, making the Emperor leave in anger. As he left, Maximus walked toward the window, noticing the blood spots all over the surface underneath.

"Just how daring this person is. How could she jump from such a great height when she could have died in the process?" he muttered.

"Now I no longer feel that she is just Father’s attendant; she’s something more than that," he thought.

"What if she is the one who has been secretly hired for the assassination? Does she belong to the group?" he pondered, but the puzzles remained unsolved, leaving him annoyed.

The puzzles remained unsolved, and they were becoming frustrating.

"But why did Father keep on warning me? Why? What’s the benefit of kidnapping the Duchess? Why does he want to immobilize Alex? Why? What’s the mystery? Is it because of the throne? Does the throne actually belong to the previous Duchess, Alex’s mother? Is that why he’s scared of them? Is that why he’s restraining them? If that’s the case, why did the throne ultimately choose him? If it’s not the truth, does Father have any involvement in the Duchess’s demise?" The conclusion weighed heavily on him, and he thudded on the bed, unable to process all these thoughts.

"No, I hope this thought of mine isn’t what happened. I don’t want to lead a life like this," he said, but he didn’t stop. He walked toward the Empress’s room.

"Inform Mother that I wish to see her," he told the guard outside.

"You can enter, Your Highness. The Empress is waiting for you in the hall," the guard informed.

He entered and found the Empress in her nightgown, sipping rum, and seated with crossed legs, just like the Emperor does.

"Tell me, son, why have you come to see me at this late hour?" she inquired.

"So many things trouble me, Mother. I hope you can help me with this," he said.

"Then tell me, am I the only heir to the empire?" he asked, which left the Empress wide-eyed.

"Am I really the only heir? I want the truth, mother," he stated.