How To End This Marriage-Chapter 153: Bernice’s Reckoning

"The holy sword cannot save you if you meet your demise," God Moiroi stated gravely.

Bernice’s brows furrowed. "Why?" she challenged.

"The holy sword’s purpose is to hear the pleas of the people, not shield you from death," he explained. "Are you not one of those people?" she retorted, her voice laced with disbelief.

"That is precisely what I must reveal!" he exclaimed. "You are not what you seem, Bernice. You are different, unique, possessing an essence you cannot grasp."

"Details elude me, but I assure you, you are not mortal. Your immortality shields you from mortal demise, causing time to rewind upon your death."

Bernice’s anger flared. "Not mortal? What mockery is this, Moiroi?"

"No mockery is intended," he insisted. "My purpose is not jest. You hold a vital role, safeguarding the lives of others. Your place is not here, but in the heavenly realm."

"Hold on!" Bernice interrupted. "You took my life! Now you claim I belong in the heavens? Is this another scheme, like Lunar’s ploy to make me a holy knight and cast me aside?"

"No!" Moiroi cried, an invisible hand constricting his throat. "You truly belong there. The Supreme God-" He choked, collapsing to his knees.

A chilling smile crept across Bernice’s face. "Another act, gods? I won’t be fooled!" Moiroi vanished, leaving her alone with her suspicions.

A knock shattered the silence. "What is it?" she inquired, opening the door to a knight.

"The Crown Prince requests your presence," the knight announced.

"Why? Am I involved in his summons?" Bernice asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Uncertain, Duchess," the knight replied. "The Crown Prince simply commanded your presence."

Bernice’s gaze hardened. "Very well," she conceded, following the knight to the Crown Prince’s chamber, where the Duke and Princess awaited.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Bernice addressed the Crown Prince, her voice unwavering. "May I inquire about this unexpected summons?"

"Duchess," the Crown Prince began, "your presence is indeed warranted. There is a matter of great importance..."

Bernice stood tall, ready to face whatever mystery awaited her in the Crown Prince’s chamber.

"Why? Why was I brought here like a criminal when His Highness could have simply requested my presence?" Bernice questioned, her voice laced with indignation.

"Duchess, you are not a criminal," the Crown Prince assured. "I merely wished to speak with you in private."

"In private, with the Duke and Princess present? It seems this isn’t just a simple audience but a calculated meeting against me," Bernice countered, her gaze sharp.

"Duchess, please, calm down," the Duke interjected. "The Crown Prince simply has a question for you."

"Yes, an interrogation, no less!" Bernice retorted, her eyes flashing. "Ask your questions, I will answer them."

"Duchess, it’s not an interrogation," the Crown Prince clarified. "However, I must inquire: where were you when the Emperor was attacked in the prison?"

"The Emperor was attacked?" Bernice feigned surprise. "Have I missed something? But before you ask me about my whereabouts, did anyone see me leave my chambers?"

"I admit I lack concrete proof," the Crown Prince acknowledged, "but you possess the Holy Sword, allowing you to teleport at will."

"And you have ample reason to want to harm the Emperor," he added.

"I have as much reason as any in this room, Your Highness!" Bernice retorted pointedly. "Anyone here could have a motive to eliminate the Emperor, especially considering his past actions."

"He murdered the previous Duke and Duchess to claim the throne," she stated, her voice hardening. "If anyone has a motive, it’s the Princess, whose mother he also took!"

Bernice slammed her hand on the table, her anger rising. "Why am I the only suspect here? Because I requested a final meeting with the Emperor? Was our private conversation too much to bear? Is that why I’m accused?"

"Duchess, you are not being accused," the Crown Prince insisted.

"Then what is this?" Bernice cried. "You haven’t questioned anyone else, only me, because I’m not family?"

Princess Vixara attempted to intervene, but Bernice silenced her with a firm gaze. "Princess, this is a matter between the ruler and the accused. You have no place interfering."

"Duchess, that’s no way to address the Princess," the Crown Prince admonished.

"I apologize," Bernice conceded, her voice regaining control. "However, I have the right to defend myself. I am the one accused, not her. And I will answer for my actions before the Emperor or his successor, not anyone else."

She rose, bowing curtly. "Having addressed your concerns, I must take my leave."

"Duchess, wait!" the Prince called as she turned to depart.

"I understand my position, Your Highness," Bernice replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "No need for explanations. Otherwise, your guards would have been searching for me long ago, as they did for nearly a year."

With a final glance, she returned to her room, locking the door behind her. "They think they can manipulate me? I’m not naive anymore," she whispered, a steely glint in her eyes. "You all made me this way."

Suddenly, Erios materialized before her. "Master, you summoned me?" he inquired.

"Indeed," Bernice confirmed, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "We have much to discuss."

"Tell me the situation at the prison and the Emperor’s state. He’s still alive, right?" Bernice pressed.

"Yes, Master. He’s alive and stable, with doctors monitoring him. Nothing critical, though." Erios replied.

"Figured," Bernice smirked. "No harm caused, just a taste of the fear he inflicted on me."

A flicker of worry crossed Erios’ voice. "But Master, what if they trace it back to you?"

Bernice’s smirk faded for a moment. "Who’s to tell? You? No, of course not. And who else saw me? Nobody. No evidence, no worries. Just keep vigilant, Erios. Any change in his condition, alert me immediately."

"Yes, Master. Your wish will be fulfilled." Erios said and vanished. Another knock echoed from outside.

"Who is it?" she asked, not bothering to turn from the window.

"Duchess, it’s me, your husband!" Duke Alexavier’s voice boomed.

"Come in, Duke," she said with a sigh, "and tell me why you grace me with this unexpected visit."

"Why? I’m your husband, and I can see you whenever I wish." He puffed out his chest, but his bravado seemed hollow in the face of Bernice’s indifference.

"Then what were you doing earlier, interrogating me like a common criminal in front of His Highness? Were you not my husband then?" Bernice’s laugh was cold and humorless.

"Duchess, it wasn’t an interrogation," the Duke protested, his voice losing its earlier bluster.

"Yes, yes, it wasn’t an interrogation," she mimicked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But everyone clearly decided I’m the culprit. No questions, just swift and convenient accusations."

"Duchess, you misunderstand," Duke pleaded, his voice laced with urgency. "His Highness never intended to cause you distress. I can assure you of that."

Bernice scoffed, her smile sharp as a blade. "And why should I believe you? When I offered you my trust, did you cherish it? No. And I don’t blame you. You simply made me realize the folly of trusting anyone."

"Why do you speak such harsh words?" Duke asked, his eyes searching hers. "This is no act, Bernice. I truly desire a life with you, a love we can build together. I wouldn’t dream of being apart from you. I want to be your husband, not just in name, but in every way."

He reached out, but Bernice instinctively took a step back, the memory of his empty promises chilling her. "In my first life, you said the same," she thought, her voice a low whisper. "You touched me, kissed me, ignited feelings I could barely contain. Yet, you never reciprocated. I was just a convenient substitute, just as I am now. You spoke of love, but you wouldn’t even consummate our marriage."

"Duke," she addressed him, her voice firm, "true partnership transcends mere physical presence. It’s about support, unwavering loyalty, and creating a safe haven for each other. When I embarked on that perilous journey to Ablia, did you offer to accompany me? No, you let me face it alone, unaware of the horrors I witnessed, the emotions I endured. And you call that love?"

A flicker of guilt crossed Duke’s face, but Bernice saw through it. "Don’t speak of love when you couldn’t fulfill the simplest vows," she declared, her voice laced with steel. "Give me a chance? You had your chance, Duke, and you squandered it."

He reached out again, his eyes pleading, but Bernice remained unmoved. "Bernice, this is all just an act," she whispered to herself, the words a bitter truth echoing in the silence. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Duchess, please," the Duke pleaded, his voice trembling. "Give me another chance, just one. Trust me again."

Bernice’s gaze remained cold. "Trust? What good is it if it only lasts until the next challenge? You showed me a glimpse of it when you defended me from those cruel maids, but then it vanished. You could have used that moment to establish my worth, yet you chose a different path."

She paused, her voice hardening. "Saving me from the temple was noble, I won’t deny it. But every step after was a missed opportunity. You took my trust for granted, and that cannot be rebuilt in this lifetime."