How To End This Marriage-Chapter 114: A Substitute’s Revelation
I walked into the confusion created by the East Marquis’s statement about Ablia’s well-being. Sensing something significant unfolding, I decided to address the emperor directly.
"I too don’t understand what is going on, so I will talk about His Majesty myself," I declared.
"Yes, do so. I too need to go for an audience with His Majesty, so I will accompany you," the East Marquis offered, guiding me into the audience hall. This was my first time in the hall, and the intense gazes from those around me made it clear that my presence was noteworthy.
"I, Bernice Balliol Agnes, the North Duchess, greet the sun of the empire," I announced, bowing before the emperor seated at a distance.
"North Duchess, it is nice to meet you. I didn’t know I would even get the chance to see you in this life," the emperor responded, laughing as if mocking me.
"I didn’t know either, Your Majesty. But I am here for the sake of Ablia. I didn’t expect this from the empire, no, from the emperor himself," I retorted, my words carrying a mix of anger and defiance.
"What do you want to say, Duchess?" the other marquises questioned.
"I know you wouldn’t be aware of the reason why I’m here, but I’m here for something you will never experience but we do. So, I want to ask why Ablia is not getting enough supplies when other regions are getting enough," I demanded. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
"Ablia is not getting supplies?" murmurs spread among the marquises.
"We send equal supplies to all," the emperor asserted.
"No, Your Majesty! I have just talked to the East Marquis. He has clearly stated they have been getting enough. But why is my region so barren, unless it is purposely done by the empire itself?" I argued, raising my head defiantly.
"You are now questioning the authority of the emperor!" a shout silenced the room.
"Yes, I did because Ablia no longer has supplies to feed themselves in the next 1 or 2 days. Do you think I’m here for this argument? No, I want my people to survive when the duke himself is fighting in the war for six months, and that is how others are sleeping in peace. Do I not require the power to keep the mansion and Ablia safe by myself? Can’t I ask questions for why we are being treated nothing but animals for the past six months, unless it is done knowingly?" I challenged, looking at everyone, leaving them speechless.
"Duchess, I was not aware this was happening," the emperor said in a subdued tone.
"How could you not know, Your Majesty? How could you not know about this when it started after the duke went to war? Why was everything fine before but changed all of a sudden? So that we will think the war broke out, and the supplies have been cut off unless we can come to a conclusion? Stop giving me lies, Your Majesty," I said calmly.
I noticed the princess sitting behind a curtain in the upper chambers.
"We apologize for this mistake, Duchess," others apologized while the supplies were being loaded onto the carriage. However, the reduced amount made me realize we were now receiving almost one-third of what we used to get. The smirk on the princess’s face only fueled my frustration.
"Duchess!" a guard came running as I prepared to leave.
"Yes, can I help you with something?" I asked.
"The princess has invited you for a tea session," he said, reminding me of her blurry face from behind the curtain.
"I apologize. It cannot happen. The people are waiting for me. I hope you can inform the princess about the reason for my departure," I stated, feeling a growing uneasiness as I entered the carriage.
The carriage wasted no time and departed immediately. I couldn’t afford to delay, knowing that time was running out for the people of Ablia. The responsibility bestowed upon me by the duke weighed heavily, and failure was not an option.
"Duchess, we will be in a hurry this time. You don’t need to worry about our health. We have rested enough to run at once for Ablia," the knight reassured me, easing my worry momentarily. However, a new concern surfaced – the princess. Why did she smirk at me? Wasn’t she the one who was seriously ill, and the duke and his mother rushed to see her? Now, she appeared perfectly healthy. I pondered over the unknown details, my thoughts a constant murmur.
"I know the relationship between the duchess and the emperor. They are half-siblings and were both deserving candidates for the throne. The duchess married the duke, while the emperor ascended to the throne. Initially, I anticipated misunderstandings between them, but their close association suggests a long-standing plan. What could be the reason?" I speculated.
"Duchess, we are near!" The dawn approached, and the sight of Ablia in the distance brought a smile to my face. It felt like a hard-fought victory after hours of struggle.
The carriage accelerated, eager to reach the borders of Ablia. Soon, we arrived at the entrance.
"Duchess has returned!"
"Yayyy, the duchess has returned!" The cheers of the maids reached my ears, and although I silently urged them to calm down, the excitement continued until we came to a stop. The knight escorted me out, and I found myself surrounded by the people of the mansion. Touched, I felt tears welling up, though they didn’t fall; my eyes betrayed the emotion.
"Take all the supplies to the storehouse and start separating those destined for the villages. Understand?" I instructed upon reaching.
"Yes, duchess, everything will be done as you say. But you need proper rest. You went to the capital and returned in just 2-3 days, when it usually takes more than five days for such a journey," a maid advised. However, as I took a step forward, my legs gave way. They had turned red, as if blood had pooled in one place, causing intense pain.
Why had I endured this until now? I wondered.
"Duchess, take your steps slowly!" the maid supported me, guiding me into the mansion. Once inside, I noticed the duchess with a familiar expression, seemingly harboring perpetual anger towards me.
"Can you leave me alone for a few minutes?" I requested from the maid.
"Sure, Madam! Just call me, and I’ll be here," she replied, walking away, leaving me alone with the duchess in the hall.
"What is going on inside your head, mother? Why are you always so angry toward me? What have I done to you?" I inquired.
"Why? I don’t know, but you have been standing in my way, like a thorn in my throat," she retorted, bewildering me.
"What?" I questioned in confusion.
"You are just a substitute to be here," she declared, causing my eyes to widen.
"If it weren’t you, there would be someone else. So don’t think it is a personal choice, but you are just a substitute for someone who will come to take her place soon," she explained and walked away, leaving me in shock.
"I apologize, duchess, I came here before you called me, but I saw the mistress leaving, so," the maid said.
"And a letter has come from your father, I guess," she added, handing me the letter.
After a long wait, the letter had finally arrived. I hastily ripped the outer layer and started reading, seeking the answers to my questions. However, the contents disappointed me greatly.
"I have no idea what you are asking about, my daughter. But I think you are just confused. There is no other reason that the duchess has chosen you. Once there is a girl in the household, there are always many suitors, so this is what happened with you as well, but before your day of debut. So, I’m really sorry to you that you have missed your chance, which every girl desires," he had written. Why? Why am I the substitute? Was there someone else who should be in this place instead of me, securing the position that will soon go to her? Why?
"So the kiss also belongs to her? The way he calls me wife also belongs to her?" I mumbled.
"Madam, did you say something?" the maid asked.
"Madam!" she called me again, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Ah, yes, did you say something?" I asked.
"No, madam! But your feet have started bleeding," she said, informing me of something I hadn’t even realized. I felt no pain at all.
"Oh, yes. Get the first aid box; I will do the rest. Okay?" I said, walking slowly toward my room, as if I no longer felt anything after learning my purpose.
"You are just a substitute, nothing else. Don’t get your hopes too high, Bernice Balliol. You could never be the Agnes you desire to be." Her voice echoed in my mind, refusing to cease.
"A substitute!! Only a substitute!"
