The Divorced Duchess

Chapter 23: DISSOLUTION AND RECKONING

"PLEASE mind your manners, Count Valentina," Shun said in a very demure tone. He was currently in charge of state affairs while the Emperor was recovering from a sudden affliction. Yesterday, he got a message from the Princess's messenger that the Emperor would soon return to declare the empress competition, but right now, there was one thing he wanted to do to these uncivilized nobles. He wanted to assassinate these annoying nobles if they kept on provoking him. He wasn't mocking them for their titles but their attitudes towards the royal family.

"Then answer my question, you little prick! Where is the Emperor?"

Shun raises a hand to his face, the index and middle fingers brushing against the rim of his glasses. He adjusts them with a calculated precision, the slight glint of the lenses catching the light. This obnoxious Count got on his nerves. His eyes narrowed slightly, betraying a mix of patience and disdain towards the Count.

He was about to seal the mouths of these bothersome folks when the grand doors swung open, making everyone in the council chamber silent. Heralding the Emperor's arrival, the noblemen froze in reverent stillness, bowing instinctively under the weight of Emperor Kallixto's commanding presence.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" The noblemen simultaneously uttered.

"Seemingly, your patience for my arrival has worn off," Kallixto said as he coldly glanced at Count Valentina.

Count Valentine stood before Emperor Kallixto, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, and a sly, arrogant gaze-tilted posture radiated smugness while the other nobles in the council chamber silently questioned his audacity.

"We are, Your Highness. I am grateful that you arrived on time, great Emperor, because as you know, the delay in the Empress competition shouldn't be too long. This Empire needs an Empress."

"If the nobles can't wait, then let this competition begin," Kallixto informed them, as if that was the only important matter for these hypocritical nobles. He heard the noblemen enthusiastically whispering because any moment they would proclaim their desired woman to be Empress.

"Shun, let the Town Crier carry this outstanding announcement."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Shun gave a reverent bow before leaving the council chamber.

****

Everything went quickly for Thalia as she was heading to the royal court for her first divorce trial. As soon as she received the notice letter from the Duke's messenger, she immediately summoned the best divorce barrister of the empire. Last night, they talked about the possible legal action that could proceed with the trial. She also presented the contract agreement they had after their matrimony because this would be a great advantage to her. There were three phases of the divorce trial, which she knew would be a long fight on her side. For the first trial, both parties would present all the evidence, reasons, and allegations to the royal court. Then the second trial would be reconsidering the unification of the couple's relationship, but if neither of them disagrees, then they would proceed with the last trial, which was making their wedding vows null and void under the law.

"Your Grace, if the Duke's opposition throws an impossible allegation, do not be frightened. As you said, both of you are willingly giving up this marriage, but since some people outside your marriage wanted to intervene, we will take immediate action." Lady Elflor, the divorce barrister, stated.

"I understand."

As soon as they reached the royal court, Thalia unexpectedly met the noble spectators who wanted to witness the most scandalous divorce of the year. Yet, she was unbothered by these people because, at the end of the day, they were entitled to their opinion and gossip. The trial began when the magistrate entered the royal court, and every spectator sat down in silence. Thalia, being a composed noble, didn't show any signs of apprehension; instead, she gracefully stood up then stared coldly at Noxton. He stood at the opposite side of the room with dignified composure, but Thalia could see in his eyes that there was something more, and she tried to ignore it. She did not care whether the Duke was longing or regretting his action towards their failing marriage.

"In the name of the Empire's Imperial court, we are gathered here to witness the first divorce trial of the Duke and Duchess Chauverthier," the magistrate juror announced.

Thalia placed her right hand on the royal law book to give an oath before the empire's law. "May justice prevail today, guided by truth, fairness, and the unwavering principles of this honorable court."

Then, followed by Noxton's oath, Thalia quietly anticipated and expected to have a smooth first divorce trial. Their barristers began to present their case files in court. Surprisingly, Noxton didn't concern himself with whether the nobles found out that he committed a******y against the Duchess. Some nobles were whispering in each other's ears as if they had caught a huge fish in the ocean.

"Your Grace, do you have any verdict on your action?" Lady Elflor asked the Duke.

"Every evidence presented by the Duchess is true."

The spectators in the room couldn't believe what they had heard. Some of them looked at the Duchess with pity.

"If so, would you like to proceed with the divorce trial to its final phase for the transfer of alimony and dissolving your marriage with the Duchess?"

Duke Noxton glanced at Thalia with regret and misery, who would have thought that former childhood friends would become strangers.

"Yes. I am willing to give any request to the Duchess without prolonging this trial."

On the other hand, Thalia already expected Noxton's answer, maybe because of his consort's condition that he was willing to give up their marriage.

"As we witness the first divorce of the Duke and Duchess, we may proceed to the final phase, which is the dissolving of their marriage," the magistrate said.

As expected, the trial went smoothly, but for Thalia, it was only the beginning of finding her new purpose from the day she returned from the past. She was about to step out of the royal court when someone reached out her arm, so she turned sharply, her eyes flashed with a mix of surprise and defiance, as if demanding an explanation for his sudden hold.

"Thalia!" Noxton softly said. His hand was firmly yet not harshly gripping Thalia's arm, his eyes searched hers with urgency, as if unspoken words hung heavily between them, demanding acknowledgment.

"Your Grace, if you don't mind, please keep a distance between us, as many spectators are about to witness another scandalous subject."

Noxton kept a space between them enough to hear each other's sentiments. "Thalia, I am begging you not to touch Klarine in any form of revenge. If you want to get revenge, do it to me, and I'll accept it."

"Revenge? Don't fret, Your Grace, as I'm not a shallow noble to take revenge on my former husband's mistress with my blessed hands."

With that said, Thalia walked out of the sight of the Duke, leaving him unable to respond. Revenge? Of course, she has her revenge, but not the way she would tarnish her name and dignity. Soon, she would let them taste their own medicine.