How To End This Marriage-Chapter 74: Ablia’s Desperate Plea

"Duchess, are you okay? Should we return to the duchy?" the knight asked me as we were already moving toward the palace.

"No, keep moving!" I declined his offer, but I could still feel the fear crawling through my body, making me shiver from head to toe. I couldn’t forget how I faced the monster, yet everyone was saying something completely different from what I had experienced. Was I going crazy? Was I losing my sanity? No, no, it couldn’t be.

"Duchess, should we take a little rest? You don’t look well," the knight said, looking at my sweat-drenched face. Once again, I declined. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I couldn’t delay meeting the emperor any further. I had to face everything.

The carriage moved forward, and the knights whispered amongst themselves. I could hear their hushed conversations, but I chose not to listen. I knew they had made up their minds about me being crazy, but I didn’t want to entertain that perspective.

"Duchess, we have arrived!" the driver said, bringing the carriage to a stop in front of the palace.

The knight escorted me outside, and a few people approached us.

"We received news of your arrival, North Duchess," one of them said. He seemed to be one of the ministers I had encountered the first time I came here.

"I know it was a sudden decision for me to have an audience with His Majesty, but I had to. I have some matters to discuss with His Majesty regarding Ablia and its people," I stated firmly.

"Ablia? What reason would there be to come to the emperor? I haven’t heard of Ablia facing any issues. When did this issue occur?" the minister asked with a concerned tone. It made me realize that no one was aware of the dire situation in Ablia, which was on the verge of turning into a desert despite its large population.

"This issue is not recent, but I appreciate your concern. You will learn more about it when I discuss it with the emperor. It is a matter of utmost importance, and if not addressed, it could lead to dire consequences," I replied, bowing before I followed them inside the palace.

As I entered the palace, I once again felt the piercing gazes of those around me, especially the emperor, whose gaze seemed to bore into me as if he could see through my every thought.

Inside the opulent palace, the atmosphere was charged with tension as I stood before the emperor and his ministers. The grandeur of the royal court contrasted starkly with the dire situation I had witnessed in Ablia. It felt as though I had stepped into a different world altogether.

As the emperor’s gaze bore into me, I could sense the skepticism and discomfort in the room. The courtiers exchanged glances, some whispering amongst themselves, while others openly questioned the veracity of my claims.

I maintained my composure, determined to convey the urgency of the situation in Ablia and the suffering of its people. I had to make them understand that this was not a matter to be taken lightly.

"I greet the sun of the empire," I said with a respectful bow as I addressed the emperor, acknowledging his authority.

"Rise, North Duchess," the emperor granted me permission to stand.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself for the challenging conversation ahead. It was imperative that I communicated the gravity of the situation effectively.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I have a question to ask, if you permit," I began, my voice firm and unwavering.

The emperor nodded, granting me permission to continue.

"So, Your Majesty, are you aware of the current situation in Ablia?" I asked directly, cutting to the heart of the matter.

The emperor’s response was hesitant, and his words seemed to falter as he tried to maintain composure. It was clear that he was taken aback by my directness.

"A- Ablia? Yes, of course. How could I not be aware? Ablia is a thriving state within the empire," he replied, but there was an underlying nervousness in his voice.

I remained resolute, pressing on with the truth.

"No, Your Majesty, with all due respect, that is not the case," I asserted firmly, not allowing any room for ambiguity.

A wave of disapproval swept through the courtiers, and one of the ministers couldn’t contain his anger.

"Duchess! How dare you accuse His Majesty of lying? Do you have no respect for his position? How could you claim that he is not telling the truth?" he shouted angrily, his voice echoing in the grand hall. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

I maintained my composure, addressing the minister’s outburst with calm determination.

"I am not accusing anyone, nor am I being disrespectful. I am merely stating the truth as I have witnessed it. That is the reason I am here, to shed light on the real situation in Ablia and to express my concerns," I replied with unwavering resolve.

The room was abuzz with murmurs of curiosity and disbelief as they grappled with my startling revelations.

"What do you mean by ’it would not even be considered a state’? Can you elaborate, Duchess?" another minister asked, his curiosity piqued, his tone more measured than the previous outburst.

I seized the opportunity to clarify the dire circumstances in Ablia.

"My statement implies that Ablia is not a developed state, but rather a place that is crumbling. People are suffering, their homes are in ruins, and they lack basic necessities such as food and shelter. It is far from what one would consider a thriving state," I explained, my words resonating with urgency.

The courtiers listened attentively, some exchanging puzzled glances, while others absorbed the gravity of my words.

"Duchess, I find it hard to believe that what you are saying is true. I have received information from my subjects that Ablia is faring better than most other states. How can you claim otherwise?" the emperor questioned, his skepticism evident.

I met the emperor’s gaze unwaveringly, determined to convey the truth.

"Am I lying, Your Majesty? Would I have any reason to lie about the plight of the people in Ablia? What would be my motive for spreading falsehoods in your presence?" I asked pointedly, challenging him to doubt my sincerity.

The room hung in a tense silence as my words echoed through the grand hall, leaving a crucial question unanswered: Would the emperor choose to heed my words and take action, or would he continue to dismiss the suffering of Ablia’s people?