"Why did everyone forget about the Haimirich Empire?"
Ismael's expression turned solemn, keeping his gaze on Aries's stunning face. Two years ago, the world just seed to forget about the Haimirich Empire, but sohow, Ismael and a few others, like Curtis, didn't.
It was understandable if Curtis hadn't forgotten since he received help from Abel. According to Isaiah, Abel was keeping Curtis alive. Therefore, whatever happened in this world or whatever powerful ability would a vampire unleash, Curtis wouldn't get affected.
But Ismael was uncertain of why he could rember and why Aries did what she did to the Haimirich Empire.
"Is there any reason for everyone to rember my dearest Haimirich?" Aries blinked, making Ismael furrow his brows at her lazy response. "What for? To them it a target to ruin?"
"Queen —"
"First, Rikhill. Second, Maganti." Aries straightened her back but kept her elbow propped on the armrest. "All the lands I was about to rule or gained authority over shared one common end. The Rikhill fell, and so was the Maganti Empire."
"What happened in the Maganti Empire isn't the sa as what occurred in Rikhill."
"It fell, Ismael." Her tone grew firr without having to raise her voice. "Whatever you say or wherever you look at it, the Maganti Empire fell when I was the crown princess. Whether it was intentional or it happened without my involvent, you and I know sothing like that will happen, eventually."
His lips parted to argue with her, but his tongue just rolled back in his throat. That was right. When Aries beca the crown princess, the brewing tension between Ismael and Joaquin was gaining montum rapidly.
"I am not capable enough." Ismael lowered his eyes to hide the bitterness that ca along with that confession. "Without you, the Maganti and Joaquin will not fall. If anything, I will lose the battle I picked."
"No." He slowly raised his head upon her reply, only to see her shake her head. "You will win, Ismael. With or without my help, you and Roman were bound to win."
"You're only saying that to give justification to your actions —"
"Bold of you to say that in front of , but I'll let it slide for old tis' sake." Aries cut him mid-sentence, showing no sign of irritation at Ismael's remarks.
"Apologies. I'm simply expressing what I am certain would've happened without you, and giving so light to Her Majesty's contribution to the success of the revolt."
"And I am also speaking with certainty, Ismael." Confidence covered her face, keeping her gaze locked with his. "The only contribution I did is to hasten your success, but I can bet my title that your fate is bound to overco all adversaries even if your enemy has the upper hand."
"I've seen it." Aries planted her hand on the armrest, pushing herself up. She sauntered toward the door, hiding her body with the shawl until she stopped in front of the window.
"I've seen your fate, I an. Ismael Imperial, the third prince of the Maganti Empire. The ti the crown prince ascend the throne after the death of the sickly emperor, the third prince would start a revolt. Obviously, with the massive military control, the new emperor had, the third prince stood no chance. You will lose many people, Ismael, and nearly lose your life. Thanks to Roman, the leader of the Valiente Group, you'd survive," she continued, watching a flash of lightning in the night sky far away from the mainland. "Having a taste of a bitter defeat and losing the lives of your people just like Enrique, the fourth prince, Ismael, will grow while he was in hiding."
"The ninth princess, Inez, would still live. She's a wise woman and sided with Joaquin. But not because she sided with the new emperor, her greed for power didn't grow. With people like you, the greedy Inez, and Roman who would eventually lose Violet after Carlos's abuse of her reached its peak, sohow, you three worked on a common goal."
"Not just you, but because of the tyrant of an emperor Joaquin had beco, many others would co to support you. One of them would be Modesto Vida, the chief justice, who would also beco a high bishop," Aries added gently, but her voice was laced with certainty. "So witches as well will co to your side. The witches didn't want anything to do with politics, but when Joaquin purged them one after another, they could only go to the person who can stand a chance against the emperor."
Aries slowly turned around to face Ismael, who was still sitting on the chair. She crossed her arms, keeping the shawl wrapped around her shoulder and chest.
"Vito, the youngest prince, will also co to your side. He would beco an exceptional swordsman, by the way. So kingdoms too that were tired of the emperor's oppression, like the Chivisea and the small land of Nuirus, will co to your side. Garnering such massive support, the third prince will once again march to the capital to overthrow Joaquin's regi." Her lips curled up subtly, nodding. "You will succeed then, Ismael."
Ismael listened silently to the story she was uttering, which was entirely different from what had occurred. He couldn't say he believed her entirely, but with such conviction in her voice, he couldn't confidently say she was lying.
"Do you know what's the most interesting with all of this?" her smile stretched while his brows rose. "Once you successfully slay Joaquin to his death with the help of the witches, you'd co to my room, where he kept hidden."
"Huh?"
"Yes, Ismael." Aries rocked her head. "This was what would happen if I didn't escape from the summit back then and didn't et Abel. Joaquin will make his empress. Touching, isn't it?"
"Your Majesty —"
"Thank you for saving then, Ismael." She kept her lips curl up as sincerity swirled in her eyes. "Even when you killed all the emperor's people, you granted the empress rcy and offered her a new life away from that hell."
Ismael's jaw tightened as he balled his hands into tight fists.
"And by that, I ant granting the death I sought." Her eyes softened, and she looked at peace. "I could still rember those sad eyes you bore after wielding your sword, and how you held my body from falling while your sword was deep in my stomach."
Her smile broadened. "I didn't know you and I will have such special feelings for each other. It's interesting, isn't it? How one event, one decision, and one encounter can change everything."
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