The Tyrant's Pet

"Our losses… including that speech, are a rather cheap price compared to our gains. The law is ours."

Ismael gazed at Aries, wide-eyed. He knew Aries had a talk with Modesto, the man who betrayed the empire for what Ismael believed was his own gain. But he didn't think they would blatantly exchange letters in broad daylight. He watched Aries open and read the letter, witnessing a decidedly spooky smirk turn up on her face before she raised her head.

"Curious what it says?" she asked, leaning over to prop her chin against the back of her hand. "I can show you if you want."

"He's not someone you can trust," he warned through his gritted teeth.

"I didn't say he is trustworthy." Aries offered the open letter to him, held in between her index and middle finger. "But he's a good card to play at the perfect time. After all, we also lost the emperor's card. Using that again will be too risky."

She wiggled her brows and added, "take it."

Ismael darted his eyes between Aries and the letter in her hand, and then hesitatingly took it. Once his eyes fell on the content of the letter, his eyes went round, slacked jaw.

"Haha. Pick up your jaw." Aries chuckled, holding the teacup to her curled lips, giving him a knowing look. "There will be more, Your Highness. These things shouldn't shock you anymore. This is nothing."

"Ho — how?" he blurted out under his breath, in disbelief at Aries's milestones in such a short span of time. "Just what is your true goal?"

She didn't reply as she enjoyed the tea before it got cold. When she placed the teacup back on the saucer, Aries cleared her throat and smiled subtly.

"My true goal… is none of your concern."

"Not my concern?" he scoffed. "How can it not be my concern if I know you can destroy this entire empire?"

"You're overestimating me, Your Highness. I am not capable of destroying this entire empire; I can wound it, though. Fret not. If destruction is what I want, we wouldn't be talking right now." Her eyelashes fluttered ever so tenderly. "Instead, this place was long gone."

"What?"

"Your Highness, you remind me of a certain someone." Aries changed the subject since there was no point in explaining that a certain tyrant could destroy this place without lifting a finger. "That person is almost the same as you. You fight for what you believed is right and moral. You strongly believed that good will always win against evil."

For a split second, her eyes softened as she studied his clear countenance. "You also wear your heart on your sleeve. I can read you like an open book; anger, distrust, and disbelief are clearly written across your face. Therefore, Joaquin was confident you will never win against him, even if you persisted this long."

"You're too predictable," she added. "Is what I'm saying."

"Hah…" he scoffed once again, as that was the only thing he could do. But to his surprise, her next words were something he didn't expect.

"Don't change."

"Huh? Are you making fun of me?" he laughed in mockery. "You just said I was predictable and everything I believed and held on to will never win against my enemies. Now, you're saying I shouldn't change? Do you now want to control my emotions as well?"

"No, your Highness. It's because I also believed until now that the good will still win in the end." She pressed her lips, setting her eyes on the crowd, and caught Joaquin getting down on the platform after the show he performed. "I'm not saying you have to stay foolish as you are. What I meant is don't change for what you believe is right and moral and humane, even if times and situations will make you question them."

"It is hypocritical of me to say all this, but between you and me, you are still standing in front of the fine line between good and evil." Aries let out a shallow breath as she paused momentarily. "Crossing that line may give you a little satisfaction, but it's quite dark on this side."

Ismael opened his mouth, but his voice was stuck in his throat. All he could do was stare at her, slacked jaw. The round table separating them wasn't that big, but somehow, staring at her made it feel like she was too far to reach.

Aries was still someone Ismael wouldn't trust and would constantly fear deep in his heart. However, for reasons he couldn't define, her words and the look in her eyes revealed a thousand unspoken sentiments about her anger, her regret, and everything all condensed into one.

"I'm lucky since there were a few people who sit with me in this same darkness." Aries pulled her back from the chair, sitting upright, eyes straight at him. "Consider this as my treat to that person I used to know. You can do better, but despite the good and bad decisions, she has my respect."

Aries pushed herself up as she needed to return to the palace to celebrate Joaquin's 'victory' with him. But when she was by the door of the terrace, she halted.

"Those words…" he slowly set his eyes on her back, knocking on the table slightly. "Those last remarks were the words you want to tell to your younger self, aren't they?"

"Who knows?" she smiled, looking back at him. "But what I'm certain is that I hope whoever needs to hear those words receives the wisdom to its full potential."

He exchanged looked with her and sighed when she peeled her eyes away from him. While she was crossing the door, Ismael said louder.

"Violet found a ranch somewhere and is doing well. She didn't want to hear any news about Carlos, but she said her heart is always with you."

Aries smiled, but she didn't look back, although she slowed down in her steps. She rocked her head and then continued to walk away, leaving Ismael all alone.

When she was gone, Ismael glanced at the door once again before he leaned back. He tossed his head back, reclining on the chair, arms over the armrests.

"I heard Rikhill was a wonderful place full of honest and hospitable people before Joaquin led his army to exploit it," he mumbled, blinking ever so tenderly as he recalled the look in Aries's eyes earlier. "I wonder… what kind of person are you before?"