Divorcing the Duke to Buy the World

Chapter 93: His Loyalty Belongs To The Duchess

"I am not here to ask for an extension, Your Highness," Evelina suddenly said in a very aloof voice, "In fact, I am here to help the Ministry of Defense. It seems there is a dangerous thief hiding within the high nobility."

She paused, letting her eyes sweep over the room.

"A traitor who has not only burned my warehouses within the capital gates, but has also committed high treason by robbing the empire’s military funds."

The room erupted into a flurry of shocked whispers.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Elian snapped, slamming his hand down on the armrest of his chair, "Watch your tongue, Duchess! You are in the presence of the royal council!"

With a graceful flick of her hand, Evelina dropped the iron-clad financial ledgers right onto the polished marble floor.

Thud!

Along with the ledgers, a heavy leather pouch burst open.

A dark glass jar rolled across the floor until it tapped against the base of the royal throne.

Inside the jar was the ash recovered from the ruins.

"My warehouses were burned using Blue-Grade Whalefire Oil, a restricted weapon completely controlled by the Ministry of Defense," Evelina explained, her voice cutting through the rising panic like a sharp blade.

"And coincidentally, a very specific order was approved just some time ago."

Evelina pulled the charcoal-rubbed paper copy out from her sleeve, snapping it open for the entire council to see.

"Barrels of military oil were ordered under the personal military seal of Lady Isabella," Evelina declared, her green eyes locking directly onto Isabella’s freezing face.

"And the cash used to buy this illegal oil? Twelve thousand gold coins, pulled directly from the secret vault codes of the Alvarez Northern Military Reserve Fund."

The entire council hall went dead silent.

The ministers looked at the papers, and finally at Isabella.

The paper trail was flawless. The numbers were clear.

Isabella had used her stolen commander codes to rob the Duke’s army to pay for the destruction of Evelina’s life.

She had fully intended to frame Ace’s own supply officers for the fire if anyone investigated.

But this... this was impossible.

Isabella’s face went entirely pale.

The lace fan slipped from her trembling fingers and clattered loudly to the floor.

"No... This is a lie! She’s lying... She forged these documents to ruin me!" Isabella shrieked.

"Forged?" Evelina tilted her head.

"The original document is sitting inside the locked drawer of your private writing desk at this very moment, stamped with your personal ink."

Evelina smiled coldly.

"Would the high council care to send the imperial guards to get it? I’m sure the lock won’t be too difficult to pop open."

Isabella staggered backward, her heart hammering violently against her ribs.

She looked at Prince Elian, silently begging him to help.

But Elian was staring at the financial ledgers on the floor in absolute horror.

The evidence was too loud. If Elian defended her now, the entire council would accuse the royal family of helping a thief rob the military.

To save his own skin, Elian completely turned his head away, ignoring her desperate gaze.

Realizing the prince had abandoned her, Isabella’s mind snapped.

She looked past Evelina and threw herself toward the towering figure of the Duke.

"Ace!" Isabella cried out, tears streaming down her face.

She reached her hands out toward him.

"Ace, please! You know me! We fought together in the vanguard! Nothing I have done in my life overlooks the well being of the North.’’ She sobbed.

"This woman is manipulating you, she is using you. I wanted to save you from her... Look at me, Ace!"

She reached out, her fingers inches away from his dark uniform sleeve.

Ace’s face didn’t show even a drop of pity.

He looked directly past her, treating her like absolute trash, "She is my bottom line. You shouldn’t have come for her."

His dark eyes were as cold and dead as a winter grave.

"The only loyalty I have," Ace rumbled, his deep voice shaking the very walls of the council hall, "belongs to my Duchess."

He stepped in front of Evelina, shielding her completely.

"Anyone who schemes against my wife, or harms my people, is an enemy to the North. And enemies of the North are executed."

His large hand dropped to the hilt of his broadsword.

Clank.

The cold steel clicked sharply.

Isabella collapsed onto her knees, completely broken.

She had never imagined there would be day when the indifferent and untouchable Ace Alvarez put his entire soul into one woman.

The Prime Minister stepped forward, his hands shaking as he picked up the evidence from the floor.

He looked up at the throne, his voice grim.

"The evidence is undeniable. Lady Isabella has abused her former military status, stolen from the duchy’s reserves, and committed mass arson within the capital. This cannot be overlooked."

Prince Elian sat in silent fury.

His knuckles turned white as he gripped his armrests.

His main pawn was being completely destroyed right in front of his face, and he couldn’t say a single word to stop it without destroying his own reputation.

"By the decree of the High Imperial Council," the Prime Minister announced, his voice booming across the silent room.

"Lady Isabella is hereby stripped of her noble rank. Her military titles are permanently revoked, and her family assets are seized to repay the twelve thousand gold coins to the Alvarez treasury."

Isabella let out a ragged noise that barely sounded like her.

"Furthermore," the Prime Minister continued coldly, "According to the laws, she is to be sentenced to permanent exile to the lawless Southern borders forever."

He leveled a harsh glare at the kneeling woman.

"If she ever sets foot in the capital again, she will face immediate execution."

Elian let out a slow nod when the Prime Minister looked his way.

Two heavy imperial guards stepped forward.

They grabbed Isabella roughly by her arms and began dragging her out of the council chamber.

Isabella was a smart woman, and she knew she had landed herself too deep into the pits to climb up.

She could have schemed with anybody and escaped but making deals with the crown, she made herself the scapegoat.

And the people who could protect her in the current situation, did not even spare her a gaze.

So she neither screamed, nor cried for help any longer as she was dragged away.