The Tyrant's Pet

One thing was certain in this situation. Abel, the emperor of Haimirich, was simply here to enjoy the show and applaud his lover once the show was over. It was humiliating to think that a few people were looking down on them while they think so highly of themselves.

But that wasn't important anymore.

Abel reassured them he wouldn't even step in. Unless, of course, Aries was harmed. Ismael knew for sure Abel could wipe them all out, no matter how great the empire was. He was a monster, a literal one.

Even so, this put a slight ease in Ismael's heart. It only meant Aries was the only one who had an interest in this place — or the people in this place. In other words, there wasn't much change in the situation.

It was the same... at least, for the people in Maganti.

Aries alone was cunning enough to make everyone dance in her tune. Abel and his people, who were on this land, were only here to make sure she would return to Haimirich in one piece. So, Ismael didn't need to dwell in these hidden forces, walking freely in the empire, but focused on bringing the crown prince to his demise.

'I wonder if Rome had returned.' Ismael finally stood up from his seat and left the courtroom in silence. He didn't stay idle and headed straight to the third prince's chancery.

As soon as Ismael entered his office, he halted by the door when he saw a figure sitting on the divan inside the chancery. The side of Ismael's lips curled up while the latter raised his head to meet the third prince's eyes.

"This is quite a bold move, Rome." Ismael closed the door behind him and sauntered towards the seat across from Roman.

"Did you enjoy your brief vacation?" he asked as soon as he sat his butt down, resting his leg over the other.

Roman kept his lips in a thin and tight slash, studying the third prince's face silently. After that grand banquet where he met Ismael, Roman told himself the third prince was bluffing. However, he found himself galloping to the said land that same night.

It took Roman just a full day and night to reach it; a lot faster than he thought.

"It was... the Valiente," he confessed after a minute of silence, watching Ismael tilt his head to the side. "The incident. It was their doing."

Roman took a deep breath as he leaned his upper body forward until his arms were resting on his legs. "Before the hunting season, there had been rumors in the narrow streets that crawled its way to the underground. It says... the Valiente Guerrillas will soon strike."

"Doing nothing and doing something will still have the same result. The crown prince will pin everything to them to incite public anger and gain support from the aristocrat," he continued in the same solemn tone. "He is always cunning."

"So you told your people to strike instead?" Ismael didn't beat around the bush as he planned to tie the loose ends. Until now, he had been guessing if Roman was affiliated with the said resistance group or not. It was obvious, but without confirmation, it would always be vague. He didn't want that.

"No." Roman breathed out while Ismael frowned.

"Are you still going to deny it, seventh prince?" asked Ismael, and arched a brow when Roman shook his head.

"I didn't tell them to strike since it will be the same anyway," Roman reassured, staring solemnly into Ismael's eyes. "Why do I need to order others when I can simply do it myself?"

"What?"

"Valiente is me, and they were my guerrillas. I won't put my people on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the imperial palace. I had served the crown prince for years to know how his mind works," Roman explained without a filter that had never happened between them. "The crown prince trusted me and no one will suspect me — at least, not for now. It was not like they will investigate thoroughly since they will be busy dragging my people's name through the mud."

"The numbers of casualties was enough to put the crown prince on a setback, that is for sure. After all, most of them were affiliated with the crown prince's illegal businesses. It would take time for him to find a new set of people whom he could trust," he continued. "Even if they march to destroy Valiente, he already received a tremendous blow that he cannot recover immediately."

There was a momentary silence that filled the chancery as the two men stared at each other. Ismael was shocked, and it took him a moment to register everything Roman had said. He was simply expecting a confession that Roman had some connection with the resistance group.

However, what he got was more than what he thought. Roman was the head of the resistance group and not just that, but the attack during the hunting season was... the seventh prince's doing?

Ismael held his breath as he looked at Roman in disbelief. Just how fast did he ride his horse to go back and forth? No, not just that. But Ismael thought Roman would stay in his vineyard where Violet was hiding with her children for at least a day.

By the looks of it, Roman didn't even meet Violet. Even if he did, it was surely just a brief moment.

"You..." Ismael cleared his throat and forced a smirk. "Switching sides now is the right decision, brother."

"I'm not switching side. I never chose his side and simply stayed with him to keep a close eye on him," Roman corrected before he breathed out deeply. "I am simply choosing a side now. Third prince, I will assist you with everything that I can..."

Ismael laughed weakly before he narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch, Rome? Let's not go around in circles. You will not confess everything to gain my trust without an asking price." His brows rose as he leaned forward.

"Tell me. What is it that you want in return?"

Roman remained silent and stared at the third prince in silence. When his lips parted, Ismael arched a brow before he laughed.

"Oh, Rome..." Ismael shook his head and propped his jaw against his knuckles. "I never thought you'd be this... simple."