How To End This Marriage-Chapter 185: Interrogations

"Mother," Princess Sylvia began, her voice laced with curiosity, "why does your face betray such displeasure at my ascension?"

The Empress scoffed. "Why ask? You have what you desired. Is there more you seek from me?"

"Not trouble, Mother," Sylvia countered, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. "Seeing your disquiet, I came out of concern."

"Concern, or a desire for further taunts?" the Empress retorted, her eyes narrowed.

Sylvia’s smile faltered slightly. "Perhaps a little of both," she admitted. "But I have no wish to dwell on this matter if it burdens you. If there’s nothing more to say, I shall excuse myself."

The Empress hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the door. "What of brother?" she asked, a tremor in her voice.

"That," Sylvia said firmly, "is a conversation I will not avoid. You see, Mother, secrets have a way of resurfacing. The truth, however long buried, will eventually come to light."

The Empress met her daughter’s gaze with a steely resolve. "Proof? You have none. The evidence vanished years ago. How can you accuse me of a crime you cannot even prove?"

"Proof may be elusive," Sylvia conceded, "but my own convictions are not. I will pursue the truth, whatever the cost. No amount of denial can erase the past."

With that, the Princess turned and left, her steps echoing through the palace halls. Her path led to the dungeons, where the prisoner from the enemy empire awaited interrogation.

"Have you discovered the information you seek?" the Concubine Feng Mei inquired, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

Ignoring the taunt, Sylvia gestured towards the prisoner, his form slumped in a nearby cell, his leg crudely bandaged. "Consider this a gift," she said coldly.

The Concubine’s eyes widened in horror. "How could you? Such brutality!" she gasped.

Sylvia’s eyes narrowed. "Brutal? Compared to your schemes that destabilized an empire, this is a mere pinprick. You who plotted against my family, you have no right to judge my actions."

"I am no murderer!" the Concubine hissed.

"Perhaps not with your own hands," Sylvia countered, "but your machinations led to countless deaths. Your loyalty is a poisoned chalice, offered with a smile."

Turning to the injured prisoner, Sylvia spoke with steely determination. "Now, tell me. Where is the confidential information you possess? And who else shares your knowledge?"

The prisoner remained silent, his eyes defiant. "I will not betray my empire," he spat.

"You betrayed it the moment you stole its secrets," Sylvia countered. "Your loyalty lies not with your nation, but with your own self-preservation. A single plea for treatment has already condemned you."

With a gesture, she summoned a guard. "Bring the whip," she ordered, her voice cold and resolute.

"Are you going to make him scream in agony?" the Concubine asked, her voice trembling with fear.

"Consider his suffering a consequence of his betrayal, not yours," Princess Sylvia said, her smile resolute and unyielding. She continued the methodical application of the whip, each strike aimed with cold precision.

"Will you reveal the truth, or must I resort to harsher methods?" Sylvia warned, the metal whip singing a cruel song against the air.

The prisoner clenched his jaw, spitting defiance. "I will never betray my empire!"

Sylvia’s eyes narrowed. "And how secure is your family’s fate within its walls, should they learn of your survival in an enemy land? Branded a traitor, your wife and son would face a harsh judgement. Is that a sacrifice you’re willing to make?"

The prisoner faltered, a flicker of fear betraying his bravado. "How... how do you know about my family?"

"If you can smuggle secrets, I can unearth truths," Sylvia countered. "Think of it as a small mercy compared to what I could have learned."

The prisoner’s voice cracked. "Don’t harm my family!"

"It’s not my hand that poses the threat. Your empire, judging you a defector, will hold them accountable. Is that a legacy you wish to leave them?" Sylvia’s voice, though firm, held a hint of empathy.

"Tell me the truth," she continued, "and I will help ensure their safety. We share a common goal, prisoner. You, the protection of your loved ones, and I, the security of my empire."

"Betray my empire... to save my family?" the prisoner groaned, torn between duty and desperation.

Sylvia met his gaze unflinchingly. "The choice is yours. A painful truth or a peaceful reunion. Choose wisely."

With a heavy sigh, the prisoner broke. "I will tell you everything, but please... keep my family safe."

"Consider it done," Sylvia replied. A knight materialized, offering paper and quill. As the prisoner transcribed the secrets, medics tended to his wounds.

(Knight whispers) "Princess, do you trust his confession?"

(Sylvia whispers) "He seeks his family. He won’t risk that. Proceed as planned. Blindfold the Concubine. No leaks on her end."

(Knight whispers) "Understood, Princess."

Emerging from the dungeon, Sylvia encountered Crown Prince Maximus.

"Princess, your presence here is no longer required. Return to our empire before your absence complicates matters."

"I know what you think," Princess Sylvia said, her voice firm despite the lingering tension, "but my work here isn’t finished. The enemy confessed about the leaked information, but there’s another matter I need to handle."

Crown Prince Maximus raised an eyebrow. "Another matter? May I know what concerns you?"

"It’s a family issue," Sylvia replied, her voice hardening. "As such, it’s not your concern. You should return to the empire. If you wish to stay as my guest, I won’t object."

Maximus hesitated, a hint of disappointment flicking across his features. "Thank you for the offer, Princess, but I must leave tomorrow. Palace matters require my attention. Until then, I bid you farewell."

He leaned in, his lips brushing the back of her hand in a fleeting goodbye. A blush crept up Sylvia’s cheeks, momentarily flushing her composure.

"I didn’t know you could blush, my princess," Maximus chuckled, his eyes teasing.

"Enough of your flirty ways," Sylvia retorted, hiding her face behind her hair. "They could lead to unintended consequences, hindering both our plans."

With a final nod, the prince took his leave, leaving Sylvia alone with her swirling thoughts. "Mother’s secret needs to be revealed," she murmured, "but not in a way that would hurt Father. He shouldn’t suffer like Concubine Feng Mei."

Calling upon her maid, Sylvia issued a discreet request. "I need your help finding the doctor who used to work for the Tribal Royal Family. He needs to be summoned to court, informed that the Empress has requested his presence."

The maid’s eyes widened in understanding. "I see, Princess. My network will discreetly locate the doctor and ensure his attendance."

"Excellent," Sylvia said, her voice tinged with urgency. "But remember, this must remain confidential. Between you and me."

"My lips are sealed," the maid vowed before withdrawing.

As the maid departed, Sylvia headed for her chambers. However, before she could reach them, a strong hand grasped her arm, pulling her into a darkened room. "What the devil are you doing?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with alarm.

"Forgive me, Princess," Crown Prince Maximus rasped, his face flushed and damp. "I’ve been drugged."

Sylvia’s concern warred with suspicion. "Drugged? By whom?"

Maximus winced, clutching his head. "I don’t know, but I can’t trust anyone. Please, stay with me. Until I feel better."

His plea was followed by a sudden, desperate kiss that stole Sylvia’s breath. Her nails dug into his arm, a mixture of confusion and arousal swirling within her. As the kiss broke, their ragged breaths filled the silence.

"What is this, Your Highness?" Sylvia gasped, her voice trembling.

"It’s what you think," Maximus confessed, his gaze burning. "I’ve been drugged with an aphrodisiac, consumed by its effects. I need you, Sylvia. Only you can calm me down."

His words held a raw desperation, an unfamiliar edge to his usually jovial demeanor. Sylvia felt a tug of sympathy, but also a flicker of fear.

"You want me to... to help you?" she stammered.

"Yes," Maximus pleaded, his voice husky. "I crave you, only you. But I won’t force myself on you. I need your consent. Unless you want me to lose control completely."

He loomed over her, his body taut with restrained desire. The urgency in his voice, the vulnerability beneath his desperation, touched a chord within Sylvia.

"Or," Maximus added, his voice hoarse, "if you’re uncomfortable, you can leave. Before I lose control."

"What if I agree to be with you, as per your condition?" the princess asked, her voice husky with desire.

"So you want me as well?" Crown Prince Maximus countered, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You can think of it that way," the princess conceded. "If you need my help, I will be happy to assist you, as you desired."

Pulling him closer, she initiated another kiss, her fingers trailing up his chest. Maximus responded with equal fervor,pinning her against the wall as the chamber of his room clicked shut, locked from the outside.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, the princess kissed him with a desperate urgency, her passion mirroring his own.

"Hold on, princess," Maximus gasped, pulling back slightly. "You’re...breathtaking."

"As if you’re any less, Your Highness," the princess murmured, a playful smile gracing her lips.