"I would be very happy to start anew with you."
Aries and Joaquin stared at each other with nothing but affection meant for another. When she blinked, she had already calmed down and shifted her eyes to the cage in the other part of the room.
"So…" Her eyes once again showed clarity as she studied the emperor's disheveled and bloody figure. "What is he?"
"A monster?" he shrugged and cast her a knowing look, only to see her indifferent side-eye.
"What sort of monster is he?" she asked with a firmer voice, eyes at the growling emperor. She quirked a brow when he answered;
"A failed morphing."
"Morphing?"
Joaquin smacked his lips, reclining with his hands on the mattress. "Have you heard of vampires, Circe?"
"Creatures who cannot walk under the sun but prowl in the night? Creatures, who survive by drinking human blood?"
"That's right." He rocked his head, smirking in satisfaction. "That's the blood running through him."
Aries set her eyes back to the cage when Joaquin pointed at it with his chin. He continued.
"Vampires drink human blood — even animal blood will suffice… if they had no choice. But humans… if they drank a vampire's blood, it can result in that," he explained in a matter-of-factly tone. "It's complicated, but to put it simply, it's all about a match."
"A match?"
"Compatibility of blood, my love." Joaquin cocked his head to her, casually revealing his biggest secret.
"And if a human drank a vampire's blood, that is compatible?"
The crown prince hummed a long tune and took a moment to reply. He simply stared at his father, narrowing his eyes, but didn't hide the triumphant glint that flashed across them.
"Immortality," came out in an ambitious voice. "Strength that surpassed even the most skilled and trained humans. Speed that is faster than a galloping horse. Youth. There were endless possibilities, Circe."
Joaquin smirked and shifted his devious eyes on her. "My hard work will soon bear to fruition, Circe."
Aries gulped as she studied him in silence. Immortality? Strength? Speed? Youth? Hard work? She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Are you saying…" she trailed off when his lips stretched even wider. "You want to morph?"
"Of course. Who wants to die, Circe?" He laughed with lips closed, sitting upright. "The list of people who oppose me is long. A day isn't enough to read all their names. In a few decades, I will be just like him: old, weak, and dying. I won't allow that."
"I'd rather sell my soul to the devil and sacrifice my humanity than reach that point," he added without a second hesitation, tucking a portion of her hair behind her ear. "Once I succeeded, I will do everything I can so you gain immortality too, my love. We'll be together forever and rule the world. I will be the greatest emperor, just as you wish. Don't you want that?"
Her breathing grew short and heavy, but she smiled. Yet, behind that smile was great trepidation. She had always known all along Joaquin was sick to the bone, but this revelation was a whole kind of crazy. No wonder he needed to enter illegal businesses so he could fund this project.
Aries asked more questions, which Joaquin answered honestly and casually. He told her that the only person who knew this secret was the fifth prince Javier. But now, because he trusted the crown princess and was willing to make her his empress, Joaquin had no reason to keep her in the dark.
They stayed in the emperor's room for a long time, talking about the creatures living in this world she was unaware of. The things she once believed as mere myths to scare the children were now being told as actual stories and events.
"I've met a few of them," claimed Joaquin while she looked at him earnestly. "During the last world summit. It's not real that they can't walk under the sun. Matter of fact, they blended with us. They looked like what most humans would appear, but stronger, faster, and younger despite existing for centuries. There were places in this world under their governance and their existence wasn't a secret but knowledge to be dread of."
"But there were sovereigns reigned by humans who chose to keep their existence as nothing but myths — just like how the emperor of the Maganti and some kingdom does." Joaquin looked at her and humored. "I've met the emperor of Haimirich in the world summit. He's not human."
p
"I'm kidding, Circe. The emperor of Haimirich is human." He shook his head, seeing the dread that instantly dominated her face. "Although he's way worse than a monster with intellect. But well, I sort of owe him because if not for him, I wouldn't be able to meet you."
Her lips quivered as she smiled back at him. "I hate him, but I can't hate him enough since I share the same sentiments. However, that is not a good joke, Joaquin." She clicked her tongue as she set her eyes back to the cage while Joaquin laughed.
"My brother is in Haimirich and he always has confrontations with the monarch."
"Circe. Even if what I said isn't a joke, do you think your brother wouldn't know about this?" he asked in a knowing tone, waiting for her to look back at him. "Marquess Vandran is an influential man and the backbone of the aristocratic faction. I'm a crown prince, who had seen men in power, my love. Those kinds of men knew more than anyone. They might keep their mouth shut for a reason, but never underestimate a man who is involved with the royal court."
Joaquin winked at her but didn't find it suspicious she didn't know. After all, his wife was a sheltered princess of the Vandran. Even if she was capable and wise, there were just things she wouldn't know, especially if she wasn't involved in court matters.
"Now that you understand the situation…" he leaned his face forward to look at her up close. "Do you still want me?"
Aries remained silent before a shallow breath slipped past her lips. "I won't deny this is something I didn't expect. My body is still in great shock, Joaquin. However…" the side of her lips curled up.
"… this is not enough to stop me from my ambition. After all, I'm already a monster clad in human skin."
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