How To End This Marriage-Chapter 164: Alexavier’s Game

"We’ve reached it!" Tribal Princess Sylvia declared, her voice barely a whisper in the dense darkness.

Duchess Bernice frowned, her eyes straining to pierce the gloom. "Indeed, but how are we to find this individual in this inky blackness? Even my sight falters against these tangled boughs."

Sylvia nodded in understanding. "I know, Duchess, but we must make the attempt. If this person exposes your involvement, your hands will be tied, and the Emperor’s reign of terror will continue unabated."

A glint of determination hardened Bernice’s gaze. "You’re right. I cannot allow that to happen. We’ll split up. You take the east side, and I’ll scour the west. Between us, we should cover the garden swiftly."

Sylvia readily agreed, and they swiftly parted ways, disappearing into the shadowy embrace of the foliage.

Bernice ventured deeper into the labyrinthine darkness, her senses on high alert. Suddenly, a soft thud echoed through the stillness, sending shivers down her spine. "Who’s there? Show yourself!" she demanded, her voice echoing through the silent garden.

The footsteps quickened, receding into the depths like a frightened animal. Bernice knelt, a damp footprint imprinted in the soft earth. Barefoot. A maid? Why would a maid be out at this hour, and barefoot at that?

The mystery gnawed at her. As she rose, another sound, a rustle in the undergrowth, propelled her forward. Following the noise, she found the gardener diligently tending a bed of lilies, his head bowed in concentration.

"What are you doing here at this ungodly hour?" Bernice questioned, her voice laced with suspicion.

The gardener straightened, bowing low. "Greetings, Duchess! Simply fulfilling my nocturnal duties. Some flowers require moonlight for optimal hydration, you see."

Bernice narrowed her eyes. "At this hour?"

"Indeed, Duchess. Certain rare specimens thrive under the night sky’s gentle caress. It enhances their bloom, you see."

His explanation, while plausible, did little to assuage Bernice’s unease. "Did you see anyone, anyone at all, leaving this area? Hear any unusual sounds?"

The gardener shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "I haven’t, Duchess. I only arrived moments ago."

His response, delivered with sincerity, left Bernice with no grounds for further suspicion. She thanked him and retraced her steps, returning to the starting point.

"Duchess? Any luck?" Princess Sylvia inquired, her voice tinged with urgency.

Bernice sighed, disappointment painting her features. "I found something, but the culprit evaded me once again."

Sylvia’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Footprints, damp and fresh, leading deeper into the garden. I pursued them, but the trail vanished like smoke on the wind. But what is most curious is this... the footprints were bare, devoid of any footwear."

This revelation sparked confusion in Sylvia’s eyes. "Barefoot? That narrows it down, wouldn’t you say? It certainly wouldn’t be someone of high standing."

Bernice nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "Indeed. But the palace employs countless servants, gardeners, cooks... finding a single individual amongst such a multitude will be akin to searching for a needle in a haystack."

A wave of frustration washed over her. "I cannot allow this phantom to roam free, sowing chaos! If they expose my intentions, everything will crumble. We have to find them, or the consequences will be dire."

Sylvia chimed in, her voice laced with caution. "But for now, Duchess, discretion is paramount. Returning to our chambers is prudent. Any prolonged absence might arouse suspicion."

Bernice reluctantly agreed, the weight of the unsolved mystery pressing upon her. Together, they made their way back to their respective quarters, the unsolved enigma of the barefooted wanderer still lingering in the darkness of the moonlit garden.

"What took you so long, my love?" Duke Alexavier’s voice startled Bernice as she entered her chamber. Her heart clenched.

"I never said I would tell you everything I do," Bernice said, trying to sound calm while her heart pounded. "I don’t need your permission for my actions."

Duke Alexavier chuckled, his voice laced with concern. "I didn’t ask for a full report, my love. Simply seeing you safe brings me peace. Is it wrong of me to worry?"

Bernice flinched at his touch, her anxiety bubbling over. "What is this behavior, Duke?" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

"What? Tell me what kind of behavior is this? I can’t understand what you are trying to say?" Duke Alexavior chuckled.

"Don’t play coy, Duke," Bernice snapped, her anger flaring. "You know exactly what this is."

Duke Alexavier raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "If I did, darling, I wouldn’t be asking. Enlighten me, then I’ll understand this little performance."

"Are you messing with me?" Bernice narrowed her eyes, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"A performance? Duchess, you wound me," he teased, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "If it’s a game you desire, then a game it shall be. Shall we dance the waltz of husband and wife?"

He reached for her, but she recoiled, a guttural growl escaping her lips. "I have no interest in your ’games,’ Duke. We are not married."

"Oh? And yet, here we are, sharing quarters. No one batted an eye, did they? Is it so customary for two individuals to cohabit under one roof without a bond?" His voice dripped with amusement.

Bernice gritted her teeth. "That’s a facade, Duke. A masquerade orchestrated by a contract, nothing more."

His smile remained unwavering. "Exactly my point. If it’s a game, let’s play it honestly. No deceit, no hidden agendas. Just two players in this charade - you, my wife, and I, your loyal husband. Surely, a wife deserves to know the nature of this union."

She struggled against his hold, his words sending a jolt through her. "I refuse to participate in this farce. Let me go."

A chuckle escaped his lips. "Running away before the game even begins, my dear wife? Not very sporting, don’t you think?"

Bernice met his gaze, her voice icy. "All’s fair in love and war, isn’t it, Duke?"

He leaned closer, his voice a seductive whisper. "War? Or perhaps something more... intoxicating? Do you harbor any affection for me, Duchess?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

His question hung in the air, a challenge, a gamble. Bernice knew this line of play - this was his territory, the realm of manipulation and seduction.

"Ridiculous! Love? I wouldn’t dream of it," Bernice spat, determined to ignore his baiting.

Alexavier’s smile widened, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Then meet my gaze, Duchess. Hold it until I say otherwise. Let’s see how long your indifference lasts. Perhaps your eyes betray your words."

A flicker of doubt flashed across Bernice’s face, before she steeled herself. "If you find a flicker of anything other than contempt, then perhaps you’ll finally stop tormenting me."

"A deal," he breathed, gently lifting her chin to meet his gaze. His hands circled her waist, a surprising tenderness replacing his usual possessiveness.

Bernice flinched, a tremor rippling through her body despite her steely resolve. "Stop your foolish analysis and just end this," she hissed, pulling him closer by his collar, her touch surprisingly forceful.

Alexavier chuckled, his breath fanning her lips. "So much fire, wife. No need to dance around it. I have what I came for."

"Riddles, Duke? Speak plainly," Bernice demanded, flustered by his sudden shift.

His eyes softened, a flicker of genuine remorse replacing his playful façade. "Your eyes, Duchess, they speak volumes. Anger, yes, but beneath it... warmth. I see it, even behind your carefully constructed lies. I know I’ve faltered, followed rules at the expense of your heart. But trust me, I crave nothing more than to right my wrongs."

"Spare me your apologies, Duke," Bernice snapped, pushing him away. "They belong to your future wife, not me. I seek no solace in your justifications."

With a determined stride, she marched towards the bed and turned in, placing a firm pillow barrier between them. "If you’re finished with your games, I require sleep."

Alexavier chuckled, amusement returning to his voice. "Pillows won’t hold against what’s destined to happen, wife. What if, one night, you cross that line? My virtue would be at your mercy."

Bernice scoffed. "A man boasting about his chastity? How quaint. And besides, I doubt very much your ’innocence’ remains intact, Duke."

A spark of surprise flickered in his eyes. "So confident, are you? Eager to test my purity, perhaps?" He smirked, the challenge evident in his voice.

The tension hung heavy in the air, as the game of lies and desires took an unexpected turn.

"What are you trying to achieve?" Duchess Bernice recoiled, taking a step back.

"Why, to prove your doubts unfounded," Duke Alexavier said, a playful edge to his voice as he tried to close the distance. "Didn’t you question my virtue? Allow me to demonstrate the purity of your husband, the one who yearns for you with every fiber of his being."

"Enough, Duke!" Bernice’s voice cracked with exhaustion. "Go to your own side of the bed. I crave nothing more than peace and sleep. This charade has gone on long enough."

With a firm shove, she pushed him back towards his side of the bed and closed her eyes, seeking refuge in slumber. The night stretched before them, heavy with unspoken desires and unresolved tension.