"Take the crown prince's seat."
Veronika held her breath. She already guessed what Aries might've wanted, but hearing her say it still send this strange fire into her veins. All she could do for the next minute was to stare at Aries's eyes, noticing the crafty glint that would appear and disappear just as quickly.
"Ho — how…" Veronika's voice trailed off, almost forgetting the rest of her words.
"I had sent a letter to Ismael regarding this matter." Aries smiled, squeezing Veronika's hand mildly once again. "And once I ascended the throne, I will give you my full support, Princess. If they were stubborn, I'd send a militia to kill them all. But if they were wiser, they'd step down before my patience runs out."
Aries slowly released Veronika's hand as she leaned back.
"If you have a better proposition on how to execute this plan, then do so. I just do not have the patience to humor the people who fill the royal court of Chivisea," she continued calmly, picking up the teacup to soothe her throat. "You said it yourself. I know nothing about Chivisea, and thus, I do not have any attachment to it. For as long as I get what I want, that's all that matters to me. But since this is your home we're talking about, if you can think of a much more peaceful resolution but just as effective as using violence, it's your call."
Aries frowned as she put down the teacup. "The tea has gone cold."
Veronika bit her lower lip as she straightened her back. She carefully held her hands on her lap, keeping her eyes on the woman across from her.
"And if I succeeded?" she asked, knowing Aries would want something in return.
"I would like Chivisea's full support." Aries smiled. "If I needed reinforcement, then you'd send your people without any discussion. I need loyal, capable people."
"My lady…" Veronika let out a deep exhale, getting the full grasp of Aries's intention. "Are you doing this because you're afraid the emperor will challenge your position if ever you win?"
"If ever I win?" Aries delicately quirked a brow. "I will win."
"But we cannot be complacent. An incident had happened in the east district, and even if it wasn't your doing, it could also happen to the west district."
Aries chuckled with her lips closed, making Veronika raise her brows. She shook her head, turning her attention to the beautiful scenery.
"I said it wasn't my doing, but I also cannot claim innocence." The side of her lips curled up as her eyelids drooped. "If there is something I want, I would get it."
Aries set her eyes back at Veronika and flashed her a bright smile. "You see, I'm quite spoiled. And right now, I want reassurance not just for winning, but for a full acceptance of the empire and its people. I just told someone a few days ago, and I will repeat it again. I don't want others to have any other options but me."
p
No matter how little Aries's involvement was, it still alarmed Veronika. She studied Aries silently, and her shoulders relaxed.
"The empire will surely investigate the matter in the east district, my lady," she said, reminding Aries she shouldn't be that confident. Even if Lady Ivory was on a brink of getting disqualified, Princess Agnes was still a strong candidate one shouldn't underestimate.
"No matter how little your involvement was, you will still be held accountable. After all, the emperor was surely waiting for you to commit a mistake so he could attack the Marquess," she added solemnly.
Aries pressed her lips into a thin line and hummed. She was tapping her fingertips against the armrest as she pondered.
"The emperor wouldn't do that," she claimed confidently.
"But my lady, have you forgotten how he sent you to the Maganti Empire? If not for the fact that the aristocratic faction pressured the emperor, you wouldn't get compensated." Veronika leaned over as if that would make Aries get her point. "I wouldn't be surprised if the imperial faction sabotaged you just so you do not win."
"I doubt."
"My lady, you —" Veronika's breath hitched as she felt a menacing gaze on her back. Her complexion turned paler even though she hadn't seen who was the person by the door of the terrace was. And when the person's voice danced in the air, Veronika's heart sank.
"Badmouthing me, I see…"
No doubt, was what came into Veronika's head. This voice… was definitely the emperor. Myriads of questions surged in her mind, such as, what was he doing here? Did he hear everything? Would she wait for her head to roll now? And many more.
"Veronika, it was true His Majesty arranged my betrothal to the late crown prince of the Maganti Empire." Aries's voice snapped Veronika out of her trance, watching the latter slowly raise her shaking eyes on her. "However, it was a mutual agreement. The idea… was mine because the Maganti Empire owed me, and I wanted to settle the score with them."
Aries planted her hands on the armrest, pushing herself up. Veronika could only watch Aries's figure as she walked, her fingertips caressing the edge of the table. Slowly, Veronika twisted her body as Aries walked past her chair, and approached the man leaning on the door of the balcony.
The emperor's expression was plain. His arms were folded under his chest, eyes fixed on Aries, who was approaching him.
"And here I was, expecting a vigorous date," came out his lazy and complaining voice, peeling his shoulder from the jamb, only to pull Aries's waist the second she was within his reach. "It's a good thing I didn't come bare, darling. How dare you use me to make a point? This is definitely an abuse of power."
"Don't be angry." Aries fluttered her eyelashes coquettishly at him before she looked back at Veronika. The latter looked at the intimate position of the two, wide-eyed and slacked jaw.
What's going on?
"Darling, her brother is bullying her," Aries chuckled at Veronika's reaction, and then faced Abel. "She's a precious friend, so I want to help her."
"Oh?" Abel snapped his brows up and glanced at Veronika offhandedly. "Do you want to play ball with his head tomorrow?"
Aries slapped his chest to get his attention. "That's bad."
"But the easiest." Abel grinned until his eyes were squinting, poking the tip of her nose. "Come. I finished my duties for the day as soon as I received your invitation. Don't break my heart; it was made of glass."
Aries bit her lower lip before glancing back at Veronika again.
"I told you, I'm quite spoiled. We'll excuse ourselves first." She smiled at her. "Enjoy the rest of the day, Veronika."
With that being said, Abel held Aries's hand as they sauntered off, holding hands, leaving Veronika dumbfounded. Even when the two disappeared from her sight, Veronika kept her blank eyes on the door. She couldn't believe what her eyes just witnessed; no one would ever picture the tyrant looking at something or someone so lovingly.
"The emperor…" she mumbled, distraught. "... and Lady Daniella?"
Veronika covered her gaping mouth as realization crossed her mind. 'She meant it,' she thought, realizing that Aries's words weren't just mere encouragement, but orders.
Aries… the future empress had already taken her in as one of her people. And in her reign… she wanted changes.
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