"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" Duchess Bernice shrieked, jolting awake.
Duke Alexavier stirred beside her, rubbing his eyes. "What happened, darling? Why the early morning shout?"
Bernice stamred, flustered, "H-how am I... sleeping on your chest again?"
He stretched, yawning. "Is that such a big deal? We’re married, Wife. If you crossed the boundary in your sleep, it’s no sin. Trust , I wouldn’t dare take advantage."
"Take advantage? Of ? How dare you!" Her voice crackled with indignation.
Duke held his hands up in mock surrender. "Maybe, maybe not. But you did wander over here after falling asleep, snuggling right into my side."
"Never! I wouldn’t do such a thing!" she protested vehently.
"But you did, wifey," he teased, playfully covering his chest. "Even if you don’t recall it."
His eyes twinkled mischievously. "Now, how about a morning kiss for your dear husband?"
Before Bernice could react, he planted a quick peck on her cheek and sprang out of bed.
"Duke!" she exclaid, sputtering.
He winked at her. "Rember, wife, we’re playing a ga. Don’t bla if I give it my all. You might find yourself losing before the final bell."
Determination flashed in her eyes. "You underestimate , Duke. We’ll see who reigns victorious."
She rose from the bed, cupping his face in her palm, and surprised him with a firm kiss on his cheek, her smile unwavering.
"Good morning, husband," she chirped, the tension thick in the air.
Duke stood frozen, a blush creeping up his neck. "Did... did you just...?" he stamred, bewildered.
"Touch you? Kiss you? Absolutely," she confird, her voice laced with a playful challenge. "Don’t mistake courtesy for affection, Duke. I rely play the ga as well as you. And I assure you, you’ll lose."
She strutted towards the washroom, leaving him flustered and speechless. "What just happened?" he mumbled, touching his cheek sheepishly.
"Did Duchess Bernice initiate that... that contact?" he whispered, incredulous.
Just then, a knock at the door shattered his daze. "Duke? May I co in?"
"Yes, co in," he mumbled, still lost in the whirlwind of the morning.
The maid curtsied. "The Crown Prince requests your imdiate presence in the audience hall."
"Sothing wrong?" Duke’s brow furrowed with concern.
"I couldn’t say, Duke. He only insisted you arrive with haste."
Duke nodded curtly. "Very well. I’ll be there shortly."
The maid bowed and departed, leaving Duke alone with his swirling thoughts.
"Another unexpected summons?" Duke Alexavier muttered, scrambling into his uniform and rushing towards the audience hall where Crown Prince Maximus awaited.
He paced restlessly, worry etching lines on his brow. "Your Highness, what’s happened? Why the urgent call this early?"
Maximus sighed, relief washing over his features. "Duke! You’re finally here. I’ve been pacing myself, torn between waiting and summoning you in haste."
"Summon anyti, Your Highness. Ti matters little when matters are grave."
"Precisely," Maximus said, his voice dropping to a tense whisper. "The Emperor... he can’t move, speak... it’s as if half his body is frozen."
Duke’s eyes widened. "What?! When did this happen?"
"Last night, according to the guards. It’s been a whirlwind of worry ever since. The court hearing looms, and without the Emperor’s voice, I’ll be branded a tyrant who silenced dissent. But in this, what can I do except worry?"
"Did you consult the royal physician?"
"I did, but even he’s stumped. He calls it a new ailnt, so twisted bone disease that cripples speech. No known cure exists."
"May I see him?" Duke asked, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Knowing his whereabouts might offer so insight."
"Secrecy’s served no purpose now, only fueled anxiety," Maximus conceded. "Follow , I’ll lead you to the Emperor."
They arrived at the Emperor’s chamber, an empty spectacle to the public but a hidden agony within. Inside, the Emperor lay contorted on the bed, hands twisted, bones crackling like dry leaves. Crimson stained his eyes, and his lips were pulled in a half-snarl of pain.
"This is far worse than I imagined," Duke admitted, a tremor in his voice.
"But," he added, a chilling undercurrent to his words, "I find no sorrow in his plight."
Maximus raised a wary eyebrow. "I understand your family’s tragedy gives you every right to rage, but I wouldn’t suspect you of... dark deeds. You may spill blood on the battlefield, but never in these shadowed halls."
"Your faith in is comndable, Your Highness," Duke said, his smile tight. "But who do you suspect? Is this truly fate’s hand, or is soone pulling the strings?"
"Uncertainty shrouds it all, but I saw Tribal Princess Sylvia fleeing through the night."
Duke’s hands clenched at his sides. "Tribal Princess Sylvia? She visited my wife."
Maximus’s eyes narrowed. "Both of them involved, then?"
"Your Highness," Duke growled, his voice dangerous, "do not cast unfounded accusations upon my wife."
"Duke, you yourself admitted Tribal Princess Sylvia eting Duchess Bernice late at night. What am I supposed to believe then? That they’re innocent? No! Sylvia was in such a hurry to et the Duchess, she didn’t even acknowledge . This isn’t a simple mistake." Crown Prince Maximus declared, eyes narrowed.
Duke bristled. "I know nothing, Your Highness. You have no proof my wife’s involved, and I won’t let you tarnish her reputation! Gather your information if you must, but I won’t tolerate suspicion without evidence."
Maximus’s jaw clenched. "And if I gather it? Will you allow to question your wife?"
"No! Absolutely not!" Duke roared, his voice echoing through the chamber.
"Then what, Alex? How do you propose we proceed?" the Prince challenged.
"Even with proof, my wife remains untouched. Even against the Royal Family, I stand with her." Duke’s voice was unwavering, a steely glint in his eyes.
"Don’t choose this path, Alex! You’ll regret it!" Maximus warned, desperation creeping into his tone.
"This regret I can bear," Duke stated, turning to leave. As he did, Tribal Princess Sylvia entered the room.
"The Emperor... here?" she feigned shock.
"Didn’t you know?" Maximus asked, eyebrow raised.
"How could I, Your Highness? The information was kept secret," Sylvia replied innocently.
"Then how did you find yourself here?" Maximus questioned, suspicion lacing his voice. "How did you know the Emperor was here?"
Sylvia’s gaze flickered. "As I was leaving, I saw Duke erging from the chamber. I wondered why he would be with the Emperor in your absence." Her explanation held a faint tremor.
"Do you doubt , Your Highness?" Sylvia challenged, her voice hardening.
"Princess, yes. Do I have the right to?" Maximus countered, his tone firm.
"Of course, Your Highness! But the only issue is, you requested my presence. I never begged or forced you. Why the false accusations?" Sylvia’s anger flared.
"My doubts are clear, Princess." The crown prince said.
"Therefore, I’d like to take my leave. My father awaits my return in the Tribal Empire." Sylvia attempted to leave, but a firm grip on her wrist stopped her.
"Co with !" Maximus commanded, pulling her towards his chamber.
"Where are you taking ?" Sylvia cried, her voice laced with fear.
Maximus remained silent, his eyes focused on the path ahead. Once inside his chamber, he released her.
"I understand your ga, Princess. No need to act." His voice was low, dangerous.
Sylvia’s mask faltered. "What do you an?" she stamred.
"Don’t play coy. I know your true purpose here." Maximus’s gaze bore into hers.
"Then tell why I’m here! Why am I staying if not at your request?" Sylvia demanded, her voice laced with desperation.
Maximus smirked. "The throne, isn’t it, Princess? Did you think so dense?"
Sylvia’s eyes widened. "Sharp, aren’t you, Your Highness?" she conceded, a grudging respect surfacing in her voice.
"But if you knew my motive, why suggest I stay? Weren’t you afraid I had another agenda?" she questioned, her brows furrowed.
"Indeed, Princess," Maximus admitted. "But you haven’t yet grasped mine. Your plans will crumble because you’ve forgotten one crucial task... reading your opponent’s mind."
Sylvia frowned, a tremor of unease crawling through her.
"So naïve, Princess," Maximus whispered, leaning closer.
"What is your intention?" Sylvia pressed, suspicion lingering in her eyes.
Maximus chuckled, a cynical edge to his laughter. "Intentions? Princess, do you truly believe you’re the only one playing this ga? I have ambitions too, and to achieve them, I need an ally. Soone smart, sharp, and cunning, like you."
Sylvia’s brow furrowed. "Why ?"
"The Emperor’s fall has cast a heavy shadow," Maximus explained, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Enemies lurk at every corner, eager to keep their secrets buried. They’ll never stand with . I need soone by my side, soone with an empire behind them, to lend strength until the throne finds stability."
"But you have Duke Alexavier," Sylvia pointed out, a hint of challenge in her voice.
Maximus shook his head. "One ally is not enough, Princess. Your tribe’s support is the key to securing my position, a stepping stone until I find soone capable of truly wielding the crown."
The silence that followed hung heavy in the air, laden with unspoken motives and veiled threats. In this ga of power, alliances were fragile, and betrayal a constant shadow.
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