Chapter 130: Shadows Cast
Inside a Meeting Room
"What should we do now? Is there any solution to this situation?" the previous duchess inquired, with the emperor and princess already present.
"Do you think I’d be here all silent if I had any option? No! I would have already taken action, but I didn’t. Because there is no solution. No matter how the princess tries to humiliate her or you, she’s not budging. Where did you find such a girl?" the emperor questioned.
"Where? I received information that Marquis Kael is struggling with the succession role, deciding among his children. That’s how I ended up meeting him to arrange for Bernice Balliol to marry Alex. Who would have known she is this strict and smart? I wouldn’t have chosen her if I had the idea," the duchess explained.
"How could you not know, Aunt? It is Alex’s life. Why couldn’t you choose someone with higher authority and calm?" the princess interjected.
"Higher authority? Do you think a divorce would have been possible then? No! From her side, I still have a chance, but only if I choose to ignore my dream of achieving the throne, which I’ve failed to secure. But no, I can’t take this gamble. I need both of them. I need you as my daughter-in-law just for me to get near the crown. My son needs to be the new emperor for the future, not her as the empress," the duchess declared, clenching the glass tightly.
"So, you would go to any state for the throne?" the emperor questioned.
"Yes, I can. I lost once, but I won’t let it go again," she answered, glaring at the emperor.
"Then you could have tried to kill me. The throne would be yours. Wasn’t it easy? Why did you let the plan slip through your fingers?" the emperor asked.
"Hmm, then I would be behind bars, not on the throne, just as you said. Don’t forget, the empire’s rule falls into the hands of the judiciary system, then the emperor. If I get caught, I’d only be losing my chance, and some outsider will grasp the throne. I couldn’t let it go easily," she stated.
"Yes, then any other plan to get rid of Bernice? Or are you simply going to stay like this, letting her marry Maximus?" the emperor pressed.
"What else should I do?" she shouted.