The Divorced Duchess

Chapter 24: WHISPERS OF THE CURSE FATE

IT wasn't a pleasant morning for Thalia when Selia came into her room with a newspaper. In the news, she was declared one of the famous noble candidates for the empress competition. Shock was written all over her gorgeous face as if she wanted to disappear at any moment. Everything changed the moment she returned from the past, a huge change. Wondering if this was the price, she asked for revenge.

"Thalia! Thalia!"

Her brother Aston barged into her room, not minding that Thalia was wearing her modest night garments. Thalia restlessly sat on the edge of the bed as her brother knelt on the floor, then he held Thalia's hand as he looked up at her.

"Sister, did you enlist your noble name in the empress competition?" Aston worriedly asked.

"No," Thalia responded. "I did not wish to join the competition as I am stretched to the limit."

"Then, who enlisted your name in the empress event?"

Aston stood up with his left hand resting on his hip while the other hand covered his mouth in disbelief. "I knew it! That scoundrel, Duke, continues his mischievous act. If only you had not stopped me yesterday, I could have knocked up his senses."

Thalia knew what Aston meant to say because if she did not interfere, there would be another violence happening in front of the royal court.

"Brother Aston, please calm down. I know the Duke wasn't the person behind this unethical deed."

Aston met Thalia's pleasant orbs and held her hands. My beloved sister Thally. "I know the Duke always has space in your heart, but don't defend him, especially if a man like him does not deserve you."

"Even if he wrongfully committed an offense against me, I know deep down he still cherishes our memories enough for him not to act wickedly towards me."

Aston sighed with hands raised and open palms. "Sister, if you truly believe in him. Guard your heart."

"I know, brother. I know."

"So, what is your plan now? It seems the news hasn't reached our father's grasp yet."

Indeed, Thalia was in an uphill battle again. She wished for her divorce to end quickly, but another problem arose. Who could it be? Who could be the person who enlisted her in an empress competition without her knowledge? She even set aside the prophecy and the Hiax these days for her to focus on the process of the divorce trial, but then another dilemma came her way.

"I have to meet the Emperor, brother."

"The Emperor? Why?" Aston curiously asked. "Listen, sister. The Emperor was not like any other noble who could easily be approached. Rumors of him being an unapproachable man could destroy one's reputation."

Seemingly, the rumors about the Emperor are all lies because the curse was the reason for his being untouchable. Well, even ladies in the empire grabbed the opportunity to be part of the competition, maybe because of the power and authority held by the title of Empress once they got married to the Emperor. Yet, whoever wrote her name in the empress competition record would be disappointed.

"Brother Aston, don't you know that the Emperor is the most powerful person in the empire? If I can convince him to withdraw my name from the list, then I will not ever join the competition. Let the divorced duchess be attached to my name forever."

On the same day, Thalia sent a letter to the Emperor, informing him to have an audience with her as soon as possible. That was why the Emperor responded immediately to her request.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Thalia greeted the Emperor, who was waiting for her arrival. As an observant person, she quickly noticed the whole rendezvous in a short span. This place was a precious greenhouse built for the late Empress Dowager. It stood like a glass palace, its towering crystal panes shimmering under the bright sun, sheltering a breathtaking array of rare flowers from across the empire. The scent of fresh blooms aromatized the air, and the ancient vines wove elegantly around gilded arches, like each carefully curated treasure of the late Empress's legacy.

"Glad to see you, Duchess," the Emperor said. His voice was a rich, velvety baritone, deep and steady, that carried both strength and an effortless charm that sent shivers down the spine.

For Thalia, this meeting wasn't their first time, yet she felt slightly tense because her pulse quickened as her gaze met his— sharp, calculating eyes that seemed to pierce through her very soul. His presence was a storm restrained, an unspoken power coiled beneath his composed exterior, making the air between them thick with tension. Although this man— Emperor, the mercenary she met that night, was the same person, she couldn't deny the shift in behavior.

"It's an honor to have an audience with you, your majesty," she stated. She sat across from the Emperor, then took a sip of tea before looking at him.

There was an amusing dance in Kallixto's eyes as he observed the duchess' uptight etiquette. "I suppose you were not here to have a simple, intimate bond with me."

Thalia blinked in stunned silence, her lips parting as the unexpected remark sank in. A flush of warmth crept up her neck as she tried to hide her humbling embarrassment. Even though Kallixto's facade remained nonchalant, he enjoyed the adorable countenance of the lady in front of him.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. My divorce was still wrapping up till this moment. Please refrain from any unnecessary remarks, as a lot of ears wander around."

"Don't trouble yourself with the words I have said." Kallixto remained unfazed, especially when their eyes met. "After all, no one can leave this palace with an intact figure," he added.

As much criticism as Thalia was facing at that moment, she became cautious of the way she handled her undertakings as a noble lady. However, this man was unbothered yet dangerous enough to execute whoever got in his way.

"It's ridiculous to hear Your Majesty. You are known as the wise Emperor of this Empire."

Behind the compliments, Thalia said to him, he knew she was being formal.

"I heard you helped me to ease my suffocation from the curse, and I am grateful for your assistance. If you have any requests, I can give them to you in an instant."

Thinking about it, Thalia would grab the opportunity as there was no exception. "I need your help, your majesty. I want my name to be removed from the Imperial Empress competition."

Kallixto's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, and though his face remained composed, the flicker of resistance in his eyes betrayed his silent disagreement. Instead of voicing his refusal, he exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers against the table as if weighing the words he chose not to speak.

"It seems your request is not possible to make because, according to the regulations of the competition, once your name was written in the list, withdrawal was not an option."

"But Your Majesty!" She stood up in objection. "I am not qualified to be part of this event. I am already chastised by the people around me, but dragging my family's name into the mud was a humiliation to my ancestors."

"Then you shouldn't let your name be listed in the competition."

"I do not know who dragged me into misery, Your Majesty," Thalia uttered in her vulnerability. Amidst the wreckage of her world, confusion clouded her eyes for the moment everything had unraveled. As there were no answers that came, only the suffocating weight of misery pressed down on her, relentless and undeserved.

Kallixto's gaze softened as he watched Thalia, the unspoken sorrow in her eyes stirring something deep within him. Though he said nothing, the way his fingers curled slightly as if resisting the urge to reach for her spoke of a quiet, aching sympathy.

"I have a proposal to make, Lady Thalia."

Thalia's eyes searched Kallixto's face, wide with a fragile glow of unspoken hope, as if clinging to the possibility of a different answer.

"Continue your participation and find out the truth."

****

The moon shone brightly in the night sky, reminding the people of Claverence to have faith in the Goddess Enah. From the praying spot of the temple, Iris stood up as she had finished her routine of meditating. Another day to be grateful, as she had helped less fortunate people in the town. The Saintess had never complained about being confined in the temple because there was Mikhail, who had been her constant companion. However, she didn't see Mikhail for the whole day, as if he had disappeared from her sight.

She stepped out of the altar chamber of the temple and went out to look for Mikhail. Iris tried to find him in their usual place to rest, yet no shadow of Mikhail was found. Again, she didn't stop even though it was time for bed. Fortunately, no holy priest was walking around that time, not until she heard a footstep from behind her direction of the corridor. Since Iris was a petite lady, she tried to hide behind the huge pillar, enough for her not be found.

"I am delighted to be in that chamber, witnessing the resurrection of the Ruin."

Chamber? Ruin?

Iris assumed it was the holy priest Nerian, whose voice was vividly expressing wicked thoughts. As the footsteps kept coming closer, her anxiety built up because any moment they would soon find her hiding spot.

"I am, too. Now that the rascal Mikhail was sent away to give blessings to the peasants, because for five days we can do our clandestine avocation," Holy Priest Tyran commented.

Iris gasped in surprise as she heard their illicit liaison, and Mikhail's sudden leave without informing her. At that moment, she wanted to ask why they sent him away rather than the lower holy priest, because Mikhail was not a novice anymore. The two holy priests stopped talking as if they were caught telling secrets. Iris' heart hammered in her chest as she pressed herself tightly against the rough stone of the pillar, barely daring to breathe, her wide eyes darting nervously toward the approaching figures. Each step they took brought her closer to being discovered, and she clutched the fabric of her cloak, praying they would pass without a second glance.

"I believe a cat is hiding here. Come out, little willow, as a punishment is waiting for you. "Eavesdropping is not allowed here," holy priest Nerian said in a threatening voice.

Iris didn't move even though she was trembling in fear, closing her eyes, and imagining the punishment she would receive. With a sudden, graceful leap, a black cat sauntered from the open window, its tail flicking nonchalantly as it purred loudly, completely oblivious to the tension hanging in the air.

"It's a cat, Nerian," Tyran scoffed.

Iris almost dropped onto the floor, exhaling slowly because a wave of relief washed over her as the two men passed without discovering her. For the first time in what felt like hours, she allowed herself to relax, leaning back against the wall, not knowing she had discovered a mystery. Her fingers accidentally brushed against a hidden latch, and before she could react, the ground gave way beneath her feet. With a startled yelp, she tumbled into a dimly lit, forgotten chamber, her eyes widening as they settled on two mysterious artifacts glowing faintly in the darkness. In the center was the golden chalice cup marred by dark, dried blood clinging to the rim, as if the very essence of violence had been sealed within. She got closer to where the artifacts were resting and picked up the scroll beside the chalice cup.

Surprisingly, she could read the message written on the scroll-like she had spoken the language before.

"Ruin Berserk and the cursed Emperor."