How To End This Marriage-Chapter 149: The Weight of Secrets

"A god who preys on his followers cannot be a god. I refuse to accept that you are a god," Princess Sylvia declared promptly.

"Ha ha, then what are you? Can you say you deserve to speak for all the people of the world?" the supreme god scoffed.

"What do you mean?" Princess Sylvia asked, her brow furrowed.

"Don’t you humans know your own greed? You wouldn’t hesitate to take another’s life for personal gain, would you?" he challenged.

"That’s not true!" Sylvia retorted, her voice firm.

"Then why did you choose to come to this empire when you could have lived happily in your tribal one? Isn’t it your own greed that led you here?" he pressed.

"Didn’t you risk your life to come here so you could rule the tribal empire as empress? How can you call me greedy when you are just as guilty?" Sylvia countered, her voice gaining strength.

"This... this isn’t true!" she stammered, her confidence shaken.

"I came here because it was my right," she finally managed, her voice regaining some strength. "The throne belongs to me, as the firstborn child. It is my birthright, not a prize to be snatched."

"Oh, is that so?" the god chuckled, amusement dancing in his voice.

"Then why don’t you return to your empire? Why are you lingering here? No one has begged you to stay. Isn’t it your own greed keeping you here?"

"I will leave soon," she answered, her voice clipped.

"Soon, but not now? Isn’t it that greed that chains you here? If so, then how am I different from you? And how dare you question my motives when your own ambition is to stay and become empress, marrying the crown prince?" the god said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sylvia’s eyes widened in shock. "H-how did you...?" she stammered.

"I know everything that transpires here. I know everyone’s intentions, including yours. You are no exception. So, if you desire to keep your secrets safe, do as I say." he said, his voice low and menacing. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"No! I will not be swayed by you!" she declared, her chin held high.

"Sway? Did I try to sway you? Ha ha ha! Such a naive child!" he bellowed, his laughter echoing through the emptiness.

"I am not swaying you, but commanding you. Fulfill my task, and your secret remains safe with me. Nothing will stand in your way, nor will you stand in mine."

Sylvia hesitated, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Finally, with a deep breath, she raised her hand and signed the agreement, sealing her pact with the supreme god.

Suddenly, a voice startled her. "Princess Sylvia, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, Crown Prince Maximus! When did you arrive?" she replied, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"I’ve been watching you from afar for a while. You seemed troubled, so I had to come and see if you were alright," Crown Prince Maximus said with concern.

"I am fine, Your Highness. I was just a bit tired and needed a moment to rest. But I think it’s time for me to return to my homeland," she said, feigning exhaustion.

"Why so soon? You are my guest, Princess! I understand your previous treatment was unacceptable, but I want you to know you are welcome here. Please, be my guest and allow me to properly host you," the Crown Prince pleaded, extending his hand towards her.

Sylvia, caught between her newfound allegiance and the unexpected kindness of the Crown Prince, stood frozen, unsure of her next move.

"But I can’t stay here any longer," Sylvia insisted. "What if I make some mistake, and you, as the Prince, end up paying the price?"

"No, you can’t leave!" Prince Maximus exclaimed, his concern evident. "I assure you, no harm will come to you."

"You are my guest, and beyond that, there’s a reason I don’t want you to return just yet," he explained.

"What is it?" Sylvia pressed, her brows furrowed.

"The court hearing is approaching," Prince Maximus revealed. "And you, Princess, are a key witness to the crimes my father committed. You must speak publicly and reveal the truth about his atrocities."

"But aren’t there enough other pieces of evidence?" Sylvia questioned.

"There are," the Prince conceded, "but the person you killed with your own hand still hasn’t revealed the truth about who they were protecting. Neither of you who escaped the prison have any knowledge of its location or even confirmed its existence."

Sylvia fell silent, her mind grappling with the weight of their words. "I spent months locked within those walls, yet I still cannot recall the place’s location or even suspect its existence."

"That’s why I need your help," Prince Maximus pleaded. "My father didn’t just kill the previous Duke and Duchess. He’s taken the lives of countless others, and the hearing needs to conclude swiftly. The enemy is at our doorstep, and without proper preparation, a war could claim countless more lives."

Touched by his desperation, Sylvia finally relented. "Alright, I will do it. I will help you bring the Emperor to justice and force him to reveal the truth."

Grateful, Prince Maximus offered a warm smile. "Thank you, Princess. Now, you should return to your chambers. I’ll see to it that someone assists you." He bowed politely and took his leave, leaving Sylvia alone with her thoughts.

"See! He’s showing you attention!" the disembodied voice hissed in her ear. "Take advantage of it! Draw him closer, exploit his feelings! Use him to achieve your own goals under the pretense of wanting to help!"

Rage bubbled within Sylvia. "You’re only using me!" she spat into the emptiness.

"And you’re using him too," the voice countered with a chilling laugh. "After all, you’re well aware of the Emperor’s foolish plan to keep the Duchess hidden. Don’t play innocent, Princess. We both know your motivations."

"How much do you know?" Sylvia snarled, her anger barely contained.

"More than you think," the voice whispered, dripping with malice.