How To End This Marriage-Chapter 148: Seeds of Rebellion

"Because I suspect something!" Tribal Princess Sylvia declared, her gaze unwavering.

"Suspicious? About me? Why? We haven’t even met," Duchess replied, her attention fully on Sylvia.

"I know we haven’t, but the woman in the dark room and this Duchess are as different as night and day." Sylvia’s voice held a trace of accusation.

"My way of speaking may have changed, as have my circumstances. How can you be sure I’m not trustworthy?" The Duchess countered, her tone firm but not hostile.

"Princess, I’m not asking you to believe anything. You hail from another empire, and my actions hold no relevance to you.We have no conflict, nor do I intend to create one. It’s entirely your choice whether you trust me or not." The Duchess spoke with a measured calmness, leaving the decision firmly in Sylvia’s hands.

"Very well, what troubles you?" Sylvia inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"For now, my concern is the Emperor," the Duchess revealed, a steely glint in her eyes.

"Emperor?" Sylvia echoed, surprised.

"Yes, the Emperor within the prison walls. I understand you harbor your own grievances against him. Perhaps we could find a way to achieve mutual goals?" The Duchess spoke with a veiled sense of purpose.

"You seek to help me? How? What is your true aim? Do you intend... harm?" Sylvia’s voice trembled with a flicker of fear.

"No, I seek something greater than merely ending his life," Duchess stated coldly, her eyes holding a flicker of something unsettling.

"I want him to suffer a fate worse than any he inflicted upon me, to endure a constant torment far exceeding death itself." Her voice grew low and dangerous, but Sylvia’s unwavering gaze cut through the darkness, drawing Duchess back from the brink.

"I don’t know what you plan, Duchess, but I cannot simply turn a blind eye. Therefore, I will follow you, for now." Princess Sylvia stated firmly, her stance resolute.

Erios materialized at their side, his voice urgent. "Master, we must hurry! The prison key needs returning."

"Understood, let’s proceed," the Duchess replied, her voice regaining its composure.

They descended into the subterranean passages, navigating past slumbering guards thanks to Erios’ swift spell. Reaching the Emperor’s cell, Duchess found him in a state of dishevelment, his anger burning with renewed vigor.

"You again! And this... outsider! How dare you defile my presence!" the Emperor roared, his voice raw with fury.

"Oh, Emperor, your words still hold so much bite even in this desolate cell," Duchess remarked, a hint of sarcasm lacing her voice. "I find it impressive you possess such energy despite your tattered garments and meager rations."

"Silence your taunts! My innocence awaits vindication in the courts. When I walk free, I’ll ensure both your executions for crimes none can prove!" the Emperor bellowed, his threats empty yet venomous.

"Executions? How quaint," Duchess scoffed. "I surrendered once, but no longer. Now, it’s my turn to make you suffer." Her eyes held a cold gleam as she held out a tray laden with... wriggling insects.

"What... What is this vile mockery?" the Emperor snarled, recoiling from the repulsive offering.

"Your sustenance, your highness. Or would you prefer I force-feed you?" The Duchess challenged, her voice devoid of warmth.

"Emperor?" Sylvia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

The Duchess remained unfazed, her purpose unwavering. She proceeded to fulfill her grim task, the Emperor’s screams swallowed by the darkness of the prison. When silence finally descended, the Duchess turned to Sylvia, a chilling smile playing on her lips.

"This serves as a small taste of retribution for today. I shall return tomorrow, your highness. Prepare yourself accordingly." With that, she swept out of the cell, leaving the Princess to grapple with the disturbing scene and the weight of her decision to follow.

Outside, Erios awaited, his gaze neutral. The Duchess offered him a brief nod of approval before they vanished into the labyrinthine depths, leaving the echoes of the Emperor’s tormented cries behind.

"What happened inside?" Erios asked.

"Why? If I tell you, will you tell your master that?" Duchess said.

"You are my master!" Erios argued.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. I am your master, but he is your creator!" she smiled, mocking him.

"Duchess, what are you talking about?" Sylvia asked.

"Do you remember the existence you have seen in the dark place?" The Duchess asked.

"Yes, how could I forget that?" Sylvia said in anger.

"Yes, so he is the person who has created him while putting every god’s power in the universe to do well for the people. But do you think he deserves to be the supreme god of the realm when he wants to kill his own people?" The Duchess questioned.

"No, the person cannot be the god! So much greed! So much ego is filled with him. How can that person be god?" Sylvia questioned.

"But it is true! He is the one. He is up to something which I am not sure about. He has something to do with me. But now I know he has something to do with you too. So make sure you deal with it properly. If you get scared of him, then he will haunt you more. Just like how he did with me." she said while glaring at Erios angrily.

"Master, I have no role in here!" Erios said.

"Of course, you don’t, which is why the god everyone prays to here in the mortal realm called Lunar said how your body is filled with blood." The Duchess said, making him look down.

"Can you explain that, Erios?" The Duchess asked.

"Duchess, I can’t," he said.

"As expected. I expect nothing from you." The Duchess humphed and walked forward.

"Where were you?" Duke appeared out of nowhere.

"Where am I? Do I need to ask permission from you where I go?" she asked.

"No, but I was worried," he explained.

"No, there is nothing to worry about. You should stop worrying about that and consider making the princess a royal member of the palace, which is very needed," she said.

"Are you still up to the same thing?" Duke said, making her smile.

"Why would I? I have spent almost a year of my life behind those dark walls, and I will think about that? Duke, have you lost it, or are you so concerned with the princess’s debut that you have been daydreaming a lot?" she said.

"No, I didn’t mean it like that!" Duke tried to explain while Sylvia said, "Duke, the duchess was with me!"

"Oh, I was worried for nothing then," Duke said, sighing in relief.

"Yes, I know the expression. As if he is sighing, seeing me I didn’t die in his hand," Duchess mumbled.

"Did you say something, Duchess?" Duke asked.

"No, I am fine. I am returning to my room now!" The Duchess said and walked forward, so Erios did.

As the Duchess strode towards her room, Duke and Princess Sylvia lingered behind.

"Princess, do you have any inkling of what’s happening with the Duchess?" Duke inquired, concerned etching lines on his face. "Her demeanor has shifted dramatically. Before the incident in the locked chamber, she held a different presence.Perhaps your shared experience allows some insight?"

Sylvia’s gaze dropped, a shadow flitting across her features. "Duke, I cannot reveal what transpired within those walls.The Duchess entrusted no secrets to you, and I respect her choice. Suffice it to say, the events there inflicted pain upon all.Each of you played a part, unintentionally perhaps, but the scars remain."

Duke’s brow furrowed. "Though I arrived late, she had indeed endured much suffering."

"Suffering?" he pressed, curiosity tugging at him.

Sylvia raised a hand, a silent barrier against his questions. "Duke, as I said, my lips are sealed."

With a resolute nod, she spun on her heel and walked away.

As she navigated the palace corridors, a whisper snaked into her ear, prickling her nerves. "Who are you?" it hissed.

Startled, she whirled around, seeking the source of the disembodied voice. "Who’s there?" she demanded, her voice laced with apprehension.

The voice, filled with a chilling arrogance, boomed again. "I asked who you are! Who dares defy God? A mere mortal like you should grovel at my feet!"

Sylvia froze, a cold realization washing over her. "So this is what the Duchess warned me about," she breathed under her breath.

Rage surged through her veins, drowning out fear. "So you are the self-proclaimed supreme god?" she spat, her voice trembling with defiance. "What a pathetic coward! You hide in shadows, whispering threats, yet lack the courage to face me openly. And you dare question my audacity? I ask you, how dare you?!"

Her righteous fury echoed through the halls. "I am the Tribal Princess, bound by no chains of tyranny! I kneel before no false deities!"

The voice crackled with fury, but its power seemed diminished. "I am your God!" it shrieked, a desperate attempt to hold onto its perceived authority.

Sylvia stood tall, her voice ringing with conviction. "A god who preys on his own followers? A god shrouded in lies? No,you are a twisted usurper, a deceiver masquerading as divine. Your reign of terror ends now!"

The air crackled with an unseen energy as Sylvia faced down the phantom menace. The outcome of their confrontation hung in the balance, but the princess’s defiance shone bright, a beacon of courage in the face of unimaginable fear.