The Tyrant's Pet

Back in the Sapphire Palace…

"It sounds fun, right?" Aries chuckled as she told Curtis everything that would unfold in the royal court this morning — which was already happening. "The royalties aren't exempted by the Maganti Law, but they were privileged and follow certain palace rules. Joaquin knew that very well. That's why he waited patiently to drag Ismael's name through the mud."

She leaned her side against the backrest of the divan, draping an arm over it. "So, dragging the emperor's name, they had no other option but to confirm this from the emperor himself. Since he hadn't gotten himself involved in the court matters and no one truly saw him aside from the crown prince, it'll be harder to convict Ismael since there wasn't anyone to mediate between the third prince and the crown prince."

The laws of the Maganti Empire were complicated, and it became more complicated if the royalties were involved. Normally, if one didn't have a witness, then that would be a problem for the person being tried. However, Ismael blatantly dragged the emperor's name with confidence.

Therefore, the emperor must have to speak. Not only to confirm the legitimacy of Ismael's claims but also to clean the emperor's name and save face. Because if he didn't, that only meant anyone could use the emperor's name and get away with it.

Unless they charge Ismael nothing and let all this go, letting Carlos take the fall.

"When Sir Conan proposed this idea, I was just as shocked as them," she confessed, recalling the time Conan gave her a roadmap of routes Aries could take. They were just vague, but he mentioned that the emperor's card could be used in times of need.

He said so after his strenuous study in the Maganti Empire. He realized that the emperor's health continued to "deteriorate." However, he also didn't rule out the idea that the emperor had already perished. After all, aside from Joaquin, no one had seen the emperor.

With the current state of affairs, it was not the wisest idea to announce the death of the emperor, and for Joaquin to take charge. Ismael still held a strong influence over the royal court before last night's events.

Ismael turned the tides. Those who turned his back on him will surely rush back to him like dogs, trying to bootlick their way back to his good graces.

"It's crazy how men are so greedy in this place, don't you think?" Aries arched a brow as she cocked her head at Curtis, who was sitting beside her. "Back in Rikhill, we don't have such a problem in the royal court. Sure, everyone was annoying, but they still have redeemable qualities in them. They stick to their beliefs, to the person who they think fits for the throne, and hold on to it even if it means death. Them and their families."

"It can be called foolish, but that's how Rikhill is formed. We fight and die for what we believed, even if it's futile." Her eyes dropped until they were partially closed, watching Curtis hold a cookie with his shaking hands. She had been watching him pick up that same cookie that kept falling on his lap, but she didn't help as she thought it would help his motor skills if he do it himself.

"I can't deny, though, that there is this small part of me that wished our people aren't that foolish. For someone like me… if only we all agreed to let me go and become the crown prince's concubine, then… they were probably still alive and you wouldn't end up like this."

This time, the cookie fell on Curtis's lap once again. However, he didn't pick it up instantly but turned his head in Aries only to see the utter sadness in her eyes.

"Don't worry, Curtis." She flashed him a subtle smile, moving her arms to cup his cheek. "The thought of our homeland and everyone back home makes me long for them. This may sound selfish and cruel, but I am fine now, Curtis."

Aries huffed and forced her lips to stretch broader. "I met people. They might not be the kindest people. Actually, they were bad people. However, no one came to me when I needed help aside from those devils." Her eyes softened this time, thinking about what sort of people helped her.

"I'm no saint anymore, Curtis. Nor I was the same foolish woman who simply fantasized about a better world. I realized after everything that I went through, that… for peace to happen, someone must sully their hands." She brushed his lean cheek with her thumb. "I killed my people by resisting a powerful force and I can only make peace with that if I get even with those who put me through hell. For them, whose dreams died in fighting for me, and for you who survived all that, I will never forgive the Maganti."

A glint flickered across her gentle eyes as a dangerous expression replaced her gentle countenance. "Don't worry about me, Curtis. My decisions… I regret none of them. The only regret I will ever know is if I hold back and let the murderer of my people walk away freely and let him live peacefully."

"He left no room for forgiveness in my heart. Thus, I will give him zero mercy," she added.

Although Curtis couldn't speak, fear and worry mixed in his eyes, the longer he looked at the nonexistent remorse in Aries's eyes. Aries then arched a brow when she heard a knock on the door before she saw Gertrude enter the chambers. Her lips curled up when she caught Climaco following behind her.

"Your Highness, I had arranged your meeting using my connections in the knights guarding the penitentiary." Climaco bowed politely. When he raised his head, all he saw was Aries smiling in delight while nodding in understanding.

"Gertrude, prepare me a beautiful dress. I don't want to look pathetic in meeting the eighth prince."

"I had already prepared three dresses Your Highness can choose from."

"Great!" Aries clapped excitedly as she stood up. "Let's get ready then. The dutiful wife will do her duty as the crown princess and my husband's wife."

No one knew what she had planned in mind. Even Conan, who taught her how to scheme, didn't have any idea of the additional plans Aries had just come up with not long ago. Whatever it was, though, one would understand because, just like everybody else, Aries wanted to keep the momentum.

As promised, she would make the most out of this situation and she wasn't done yet.