The Tyrant's Pet

"Maganti is expecting the rise of a tyrant."

The room welcomed another wave of silence, but this time, much thicker than the melting white frost blanketing the empire. They felt — Ismael, especially — was back to scratch just when he thought success and justice were within his reach. It had always been like this for the third prince. Whenever he thought he would get the proper justice, the tides would turn and he would end up like a joke.

Why would evil always prevail? This question had always crossed Ismael's head ever since Joaquin was crowned as the crown prince after Manuel's death. The third prince was fighting for the people of the Maganti Empire, and his intentions had always been good. He would never even have the thought of wanting the throne if Joaquin was the slightest humane.

But Joaquin was anything but humane. The crown prince was clever and capable, but evil. With capital letters E. V. I. L.

"Right now, the crown prince hadn't made a move, but he had definitely heard about Modesto's brazen defiance." Aries broke the silence with a soft voice, but it still sounded piercing in Ismael's ears. "Some knights were still looking for the seventh prince. I heard they had blocked all possible exits and raised security around the imperial palace."

She scanned their faces once more and added. "Don't that alarm you?"

"He had an excuse to surround the imperial palace and put it under his control…" Ismael breathed out as realization struck him like thunder.

"That's right," she nodded.

"If you know this would happen, then why, Aime?" asked Curtis with genuine wonder in his voice. "By helping the seventh prince escape, that means giving Joaquin enough reason to—"

Curtis trailed off as an idea crossed his head, making him look at her in awe. His pupils went huge when the side of her lips curled up.

"A good story always has a villain." Dexter rocked his head in approval, faster to read along the lines and where this was going.

"Exactly." Aries fluttered her eyelashes every so tenderly, sharpness clouding her facial features. "We just have to make sure that villain is not my groom."

Conan let out a long-suffering sigh, understanding what she meant now, although a second late than Dexter. "This is easier said than done… His Majesty will kill me without even giving me a fighting chance."

"You can do it, Sir Conan. You survived until now, so you'll be fine." Conan scrunched his nose up at her flimsy attempt to encourage him. "I'll help you find a good woman once this is over."

"Really?" his eyes lit up, only for others to ignore him.

"So the plan is to keep His Majesty at bay while you dance with the fire?" Ismael inquired, sticking to the main subject, as this was more important than Conan's search for a proper wife. "That's it?"

"No." Aries shook her head. "Once he finally figured out about me, I think we already know what will happen. He might lock me somewhere."

"I'll get you out," Dexter was calm, but his tone oozed with confidence.

"I know you will, but that isn't my concern because that means everyone who opposed him..." Her eyes fell on Ismael. "The third prince, Modesto, and everyone who isn't on his side will be executed. I don't think I need to explain this, since we were all aware of how a new dynasty secures their position."

Silence once again fell on them as soon as the last syllable slipped past her lips. That was right. She didn't have to detail what would Joaquin's next move would be since it was already expected.

For the new emperor to rise in power, his people needed to acknowledge him, and those subjects included the ones in the royal court.

However, even if they acknowledge him for survival, the new emperor would always feel threatened if he left those who had the right to the throne live. Therefore, to avoid an uprising and power strife, Joaquin would inevitably slaughter his brothers and their children, who could be brainwashed by the elders and instill ambition for the throne.

A new dynasty had always been a bloody time for any kingdom. And the Maganti Empire was about to enter one of the bloodiest and darkest times of the empire after decades of pseudo-peace.

"There's only one time we can all strike." Aries pushed herself from the armrest she was sitting on, standing in her stature with her chin up.

"Execution…" whispered Ismael, sharpening his eyes after successfully calming himself down.

"He will set you all as an example for those who tried to oppose him," Aries uttered what they had already known would happen, and then gazed at the bed where Roman rest. "That is why you need to recover, Your Highness."

"A good story always had a villain people would like to die a miserable death," she continued solemnly. "And at the same time, had someone to root to succeed. Bringing downfall to Joaquin's madness by ruining his reputation and pinning the problem of the world is not enough."

"Problems will still arise even when his reputation takes a hit. In any case, there would be certain individuals who were simply lurking in the corner, waiting for their chance to strike," Aries added solemnly, scanning them with equal attention. "But if a hero emerged and save everyone at the risk of his own life… even the most ambitious nobleman wouldn't have the courage to press on."

"The victor always writes history… whoever the victor was — you or Joaquin — can distort facts. The future generation would have no idea whether or not this is real since they weren't there to witness it." Aries breathe out calmly, relaxing her stiffed shoulders. "… or there would be no history at all because if you, Ismael, failed, we won't have any choice but let my man run amok. In any case, the Maganti will be handed down to anyone who wants to claim it."

Ismael swallowed down a mouthful of saliva, unable to look away from those pair of placid green eyes.

"Maganti is my soil, and despite the turmoil within, my only intention is for it to be peaceful. I don't want the throne so long as a good and wise man rules it," he remarked, loosening his fist. "I don't think I have the qualification to rule, but… I will not allow Joaquin to sit on that damn fucking throne."

Aries observed Ismael, and her lips curled up subtly. 'What you said… just gave you enough quality to lead.' But she didn't voice it out, and simply glanced at everyone's faces.

"The plan is… let him have a taste of success," she remarked with a clear voice. "And then take it away just when success is within his reach... that's my groom's suggestion. Any objections?"

Aries ran her gaze across the room, nodding encouragingly at them and they nodded back.

"None."