Chapter 146: A Past Unremembered
"What do you mean?" the Emperor stammered, his eyes wide with confusion.
"You haven’t figured it out yet?" Bernice chuckled, a cold glint in her eyes. "I’m here to show you the truth about your so-called god."
She rubbed the metal object against the ground, sparks flying. "You cower behind your hollow faith, believing yourself invincible in this gilded cage. But where is your god now? Can he hear your pleas? Can he save you from the reckoning you deserve?"
His bravado crumbled, replaced by a tremor of fear. "My god is with me. He will not abandon me."
Bernice raised the object, its sharp edge inches from his throat. "Then let’s see your faith in action," she said, her voice a low growl.
His breaths grew shallow, his eyes pleading. But before she could press further, a voice echoed from behind her, chilling the air.
"Everything is going perfectly, Bernice. This is what he deserves! Finish him off!"
The voice felt like a serpent slithering into her ear, urging her on. But as she leaned in, another voice pierced through the darkness.
"Duchess! Did you complete your task?"
The Crown Prince’s voice snapped Bernice back to reality. She instantly withdrew the object, hiding it beneath her skirt.
"Yes," she said, her voice steady. "But there’s one more thing I need to do."
She turned to the Crown Prince, ignoring the Duke’s wary gaze. "I request to stay within the palace for a few days."