The Tyrant's Pet

Meanwhile…

"What?"

Ismael cocked his head, sitting leisurely in the second chancery where he was escorted for questioning. Normally, interrogations wouldn't be this fancy, but since he was the "revered" third prince — which he called himself — they had to treat him more like a witness than a suspect.

Roman, the seventh prince, gazed at his brother across from him coldly. Yet, he remained quiet.

"I know, right?" the third prince smirked in mockery. "There's no point in asking any question since no one is listening and we both know I am not the person who should be in this place."

Ismael leaned back comfortably, shrugging. "Roman, my brother, you… are one hell of a knotty man. Why would you swear an oath to Joaquin, huh? Javier… I get it why that bastard sucks up to that abomination. But you… it's always been a mystery to me, brother."

Expectedly, Roman kept his mouth shut, letting time pass just so he could say he questioned Ismael. It was all for formality after all, and Roman was aware Ismael had just received his ticket away from all this fiasco.

"Goodness… you've really changed, but I can't blame you." Ismael smacked his lips while studying the man sitting across from him. "Joaquin had his ways to people. Honestly, he is almost perfect if only… he is a bit humane."

A shallow breath slipped past his lips as silence followed. It wasn't like Ismael didn't expect this silent treatment. He gazed up, resting his leg over the other. Meanwhile, Roman remained apathetic, counting seconds and estimating how long should he keep this man with him before releasing him. Only a minute later did Roman pay attention to Ismael.

"Princess Violet… she's kind, wasn't she?" Ismael slowly peeled his eyes away from the shelf he was staring at to look at Roman. "I'm not particularly close with my brother's wives and the only one I wanted to befriend is the crown princess, because why not? She's beautiful and any man will desire her, that's for sure."

"I mean… even if she is the crown princess and my sister-in-law, I would fuck her and will not feel sorry about it," he added with a sly smirk, raising his brows playfully. "If she likes it, then it's an affair. I don't mind being the third party — it's not like her husband is faithful and doesn't taste different dishes aside from the main course."

Despite that Roman kept his mouth shut, it didn't stop Ismael from talking about the crown princess with his virulent and sinful tongue. One could say he was simply killing time by talking about women, only for Roman to understand why Ismael was suddenly spewing such scandalous things as coveting his brother's wife.

"I'm just a man, after all. Liking someone and getting an erection at a thought of a beauty is normal. It just so happened the dish that makes me hungry and triggers my craving is my brother's wife." Ismael tipped his head, flashing him a knowing look. "You can't blame me, right? After all, we're in the same boat."

"We're not." Roman's reply was quick, causing the smirk on the third prince's lips to stretch. "You can talk about women all day and indulge in debauchery and adultery. However, must you get found out spewing things to the crown princess, you will face consequences."

Ismael raised his hands in surrender. "Relax, brother. There's nothing to be so angry about."

"I am not angry. I am simply concerned since the person you're talking about is the wife of my king."

"Hah…" the third prince chuckled and shook his head. "You do sound angry, though. Come on, Rome. We're brothers. You don't have to use the excuse you respect a woman from another empire or your beloved king. Stop hiding, I know. The only topic that can make you so aggressive is Princess Violet."

Roman's expression grew icy as his eyes darkened. And yet, Ismael was unfazed by this.

"Sadly, she's dead. Poor Violet and her children. I can imagine the terror on her face seeing the fire around her while protecting her children. It's saddening in many ways, you see. Did she die when debris fell on her? Or was she burned alive? Perhaps —"

"Shut up!" Ismael halted when Roman suddenly slammed his fist against the table, eyes glinting. "Shut your mouth before I make you."

Ismael whistled and chuckled. "See? The only topic that can stir your emotions is Violet. That's why I said I cannot understand you, brother. Why did you willingly side with the crown prince?"

"This might be for formality, but I do not have to answer your questions. At the end of the day, this interrogation is for you, not mine."

"I know! But at the same time, it's not like you're asking me anything." Ismael intoned. "Ask me who started the fire and I will put my hand in my heart and confess it's his royal highness."

SLAM!

"What? Do you think it's not him? You and I know there're no lengths the crown prince will take to get what he wants. Manuel, for example, or just the most recent one, the land of Rikhill." Ismael continued despite the building tension in the chancery, keeping his eyes straight in Roman's eyes. "Joaquin is capable of selling his soul to the devil in exchange for power and control. Do you think killing Princess Violet and his nephews is something he will not do?"

"There's no reason for him to drag them in this."

"Hah!" he burst out in laughter, holding his stomach as he hunched in. Ismael laughed and laughed until he was wiping the corner of his eyes. "Goodness… I didn't know you're this naive, Rome. How cute!"

He laughed once again until he recomposed himself, raising his squinting eyes at Roman. "No reason? My brother… aren't you a little hilarious? The crown prince had all the reason to silence Violet because she knows something that can inconvenience Joaquin. He wouldn't wait for her to stand on the gallows just to give her an opportunity to speak her last words."

Roman's brows furrowed while studying the cunning smirk on the third prince's face. The latter held back on the details to keep the suspense as he patted his thigh.

"Anyway, I think I indulged enough with you. You don't have to see me out, I got it." He winked before he assisted himself up, grinning from ear to ear as he glanced at Roman when he was by the door.

One thing Ismael learned from last night was that… everyone in this place had one understanding; they couldn't trust anyone completely. Ismael might've learned that late since he had hoped for this empire, but it didn't matter now.

He got away unscathed after selling his soul to the devil, who emerged directly from hell. And he, too, promised everyone's death would not be in vain. He would cripple Joaquin slowly but surely.